My employee would like to opt out of the workplace pension scheme, is this possible?
Upon starting a new role or within the company’s 3-year Pension Regulator re-enrolment duties, if an employee is eligible and automatically enrolled into the workplace pension scheme, they can choose to opt out, however, an employer must not provide any request or advice relating to this matter.
Most Pension schemes forward a welcome pack directly to the employee’s email or home address upon receipt of the first contribution, and this will provide details on how the employee opts out.
If the scheme receives the employee’s request within one month of the first contribution, a full employee and employer refund may be provided. However, following this date, funds will remain in the plan until claimed, usually at Pension age.
Additional Considerations:
- Qualifying Earnings Band: Contributions are typically calculated based on earnings between £6,240 and £50,270. This band has remained unchanged since 2021/22, and there is speculation that it may stay frozen until 2029. This freeze could impact the growth of pension pots, especially for higher earners.
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes: With changes to National Insurance contributions, more employers are considering salary sacrifice arrangements. These schemes allow employees to exchange part of their salary for employer pension contributions, resulting in tax efficiencies for both parties.
Publish date