Auto Enrolment
Get help with auto enrolment and workplace pensions. We help from start to finish offering you a complete auto enrolment service, so you remain compliant.
Auto Enrolment and Workplace Pensions
Auto enrolment requires all employers in the UK to provide a workplace pension scheme for eligible members of staff. Even if your business only has one employee, you must automatically enrol them if they meet the qualifying criteria.
At DS Burge & Co we can help guide you through your legal obligations, advise on how best to set-up your structure, and manage the process on your behalf. Whether you are looking to set-up a pension scheme with Nest, or if you’d prefer to go with another pension provider, we can help assess your workers and complete any necessary integrations.
Once set-up, we can manage your workplace pension on an on-going basis, offering you a complete solution from start to finish and ensuring you remain compliant.
How DS Burge & Co takes the stress out of your auto enrolment obligations
- We can offer a complete auto enrolment service. From implementing a workplace pension scheme with your chosen pension provider to helping assess your staff eligibility and minimum contributions.
- Once your workplace pension scheme is set-up, we can automatically enrol all qualifying members of staff, and ensure you’re meeting your legal obligations
- Where applicable we can help with employees who opt-out of auto enrolment, and we can also liaise on your behalf with any non-eligible jobholders who wish to join
- We can help you fulfil you reporting duties to The Pensions Regulator, helping register your workplace pension scheme and meeting your obligations for providing the relevant information
Need help with your workplace pensions?
Schedule a free consultation and let one of our accountants help with your auto enrolment and workplace pensions
What is auto enrolment?
Auto enrolment was introduced in the Pensions Act 2008. As a result, all employers in the UK are legally responsible for enrolling staff into a workplace pension scheme.
For enrolled employees, a small percentage of their wages are paid into a pension scheme. Extra contributions are then added on top by the employer and the government, to grow each employee’s retirement savings pot.
Testimonials
- I’ve been using Kieran from DS Burge & co for a number of years now and I can’t rate them highly enough. I had never used a professional accountant for my self assessment before, so was anxious at how it would work and what to expect. Kieran was fantastic, he put me at ease immediately and was great at explaining everything to me, and answered all my questions in a clear and extremely helpful way. Since our initial meet, he had always been incredibly responsive to any emails or calls from me. Very professional, super responsive, great service. I wouldn’t use anyone else.Emma K.4/18/2021
- DS Burge have been invaluable in helping with my tax returns and planning, and forming a number of companies for me. The team are friendly, results focused and knowledgeable.Alexander P.1/26/2020
- DS Burge & co operate a great accounting service. They are efficient, informed and friendly. Highly recommended.Paul C.1/26/2022
- Keiran and his team are professional and really helpful, as a small business they understand the need for support. Professional and not over priced.Caroline E.1/26/2022
- Darius and, now, Kieran, Yuko, and Kate have been so helpful to me over the years. Always ready with friendly, sage advice, their work is always on time and efficiently carried out. I can't recommend them highly enough.Jonathan E.1/26/2022
- Kieran has been a fantastic help with both my personal and company accounts alike - very clear, organised, and always happy to answer my many questions! I wouldn't hesitate continuing to recommend him.Zoe K.1/26/2022
- I always feel I am being given a personal service with Darius. He responds to any queries immediately and I trust his advice implicitly. Also he is a very nice man and his fees seem to me to be reasonable. A very professional service that I highly recommend.Sara H.7/27/2021
- Recommended by a friend and I would recommend to anyoneJoachim M.1/12/2024
- DS Burge & Co Accountants have been our accountant for more than 3 years, and we couldn't be more satisfied with their services and expertise.Pernille L.1/26/2022
- I would highly recommend DS Burge. Kieran and the Team have always been very friendly and supportive and have provided a professional efficient service for all of our small business accountancy needs.Mark D.2/17/2024
- I remember when I initially was in touch with Darius probably about a year ago. I was upset & had a lot going on. Darius assured me everything would be okay and requested that I gather all the necessary information, enabling Darius to submit. Throughout the process, Darius has kept me informed and has been great with me. If I had any queries and were unsure about anything he has guided me throughout. More importantly, I have built a great relationship with Darius and trust him fully . Thank you for being great and getting me through this process. Kind Regards NadiaNadia B.10/26/2023
- A brilliant service from day one where our previous accountants had left us in a bit of a mess. Now everything runs like clockwork, and the team are always on hand to answer ad-hoc questions, solve problems etc. I've recommended DS Burge to other business owner friends, which I always think is the best - and highest - endorsement.Thomas C.1/26/2022
- Professional and very helpful on all fronts. Great response to all enquiries.Steven B.1/26/2022
- A great company to work with, brilliant communication, excellent attention to detail, and nice people to boot. Since working with DS Burge & Co I have expanded the use of their services. Recommended.Richard S.1/26/2022
- Have worked with DS Burge & Co for the past few years and could not recommend Kieran and his team more highly, always professional and always responsive!Richard A.1/26/2022
Who qualifies for auto enrolment?
Auto enrolment is available for all eligible employees, even if your business only has one employee. Qualifying criteria includes employees who:
- work in the UK
- are between the age of 22 and the state pension age
- earn more than £10,000 per year; and
- aren’t already in another qualifying workplace pension scheme
The earnings thresholds are updated every year by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) so please note they may be subject to change in a new tax year. You can see our graphic below which has the thresholds for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 tax years (these are unchanged from the 2022/23 and 2021/22 tax years).
Employees do also have the option to ‘opt-out’ of auto enrolment. For example, an employee may wish to have more control and flexibility over their pension and choose to invest in a self-invested personal pension (SIPP) instead.
From an employer’s perspective, you can put off auto enrolment for up to 3 months from when a new employee joins your company. Please note that if you choose to do delay, you will need to inform your new starter(s) in writing.
Who can opt in to auto enrolment?
As an employer, part of your legal responsibilities includes inviting staff, who haven’t been automatically enrolled, to opt into your workplace pension scheme.
Staff who then opt-in are entitled to their employer contributions to their pension pot.
Employees who aren’t invited to opt-in can request in writing to join your workplace pension. These employees are entitled to join, but your requirement as an employer to contribute to their pension pot is optional.
As an employer, the obligation lays with you to determine whether a member of staff should be automatically enrolled or has a right to opt-in, as well as managing staff that request to join.
Don't delay! Get in Touch
If you are considering switching accountants, we can help make the switch smooth, quick and hassle-free.
How much are auto enrolment contributions?
As an employer, there is a minimum contribution you will need to pay based on each of your employees ‘qualifying earnings.
Your employer contributions will also depend on your chosen workplace pension scheme. As an employer, you have the choice of which pension scheme you wish to run.
Some companies also pay employees additional funds on top of the minimum contributions. Employers use this as an employee benefit to help with staff retention and to recruit new employees.