Auto enrolment

In order to encourage all workers to save for their retirement the Government passed a new law under the Pensions Act 2011. Employers are required to automatically enrol eligible workers into a 'qualifying' workplace pension scheme. Employers are also required to re-enrol eligible workers who are not in (or have opted out of) a qualifying pension scheme periodically (typically every three years). Auto enrolment took place for the RCPS employers on 1 July 2013. If you were eligible to join the scheme you will have been automatically opted in.

If you are employed and work in the UK, are aged between 22 and state pension age and earn over £833 a month then you will meet the criteria for Auto Enrolment or Re-Enrolment.

Further information can be found on the Pensions Regulator Detailed Guidance - external link page.

If you are not currently eligible to join the RCPS but meet the legislation definition of an 'eligible worker' you will be placed in the National Employment Savings Trust - external link (NEST), which is a workplace pension scheme set up by the Government. Entry to NEST is not administered by JSS, please ask your employer for details.

Opting out

You can choose to opt out, however under the terms of the legislation you cannot opt out until after you have been enrolled into the scheme. To do this you must read and complete the opt out form and factsheet (PDF, 73KB) - opens in new window, and return the form to your employer's HR department, or your employer's agent, if applicable.

If you do wish to opt out, please note that if you joined after 1 October 2002 you have the option of joining the Partnership scheme. Please visit the Scheme Guides and Forms page for more information.

You do not have to pay a contribution in the Partnership scheme but your employer will make a contribution based on your age. The Pension Choices Guide can be found on the Scheme Guides and Forms page.

Opting back in

If you decide to opt out of the pension scheme and subsequently decide that you would like to opt in, please complete the opt in form (PDF, 25KB) - opens in new window.

Automatic re-enrolment

Employers are required to re-enrol eligible workers who have opted out of a qualifying pension scheme every three years. Although all participating RCPS employers begun auto-enrolment in July 2013 they now have varying re-enrolment dates due to organisational changes.

The process is broadly the same as for auto-enrolment and applies to eligible staff who have opted out more than 12 months before the re-enrolment date. Members should speak to their employer to find out what their exact re-enrolment date is.