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
- Darius has been my accountant for over 20 years. His professional support, advice, timely response and friendly demeanour make it a pleasure to work with him. I would highly recommend DS Burge & Co.Mike B.7/06/2021
- Excellent service first class No problems will use againMartin F.11/26/2023
- 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
- My experience has been excellent using your company I couldn't ask for any more Thank youKennie B.1/26/2022
- Outstanding service. Quick, efficient and more importantly, took the time to explain their calculations. I used DS Burge and Co for my tax return/self assessment. I have previously used an online accountant for years but due to a decline in that service, I wanted a more personal, local service and I got that in DS Burge and Co. Kieran and Kate both extremely helpful and communicative. Will use again.Yasmin A.1/26/2023
- 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
- I am delighted with the service I receive and the help I always get and the availability of Kieran and Yuko to assist me. I am extremely grateful that the fees have not rocketed up. I feel safe in their hands and a valued customer. I have only positive comments to give.Marion L.1/26/2022
- Excellent service and communication from the team. Would highly recommend.Phil S.1/19/2024
- A superb local family owned business, providing high quality accounting and business services, with a friendly, personal touch and a flexible approach. Darius, Kieran and team deliver what their Customer's need when they need it and charge very reasonable fees. Highly recommended!Elmac V.7/27/2021
- Top People! The Best Out There & Will Look After You 100% & Always Have Your Best Interest At The Forefront.Rosanna G.11/26/2023
- Very professional, excellent advice and reasonable charge ratesJeremy W.2/02/2024
- Always an excellent service, accuracy, timeliness and reminders from Darius and teamLidia M.12/26/2023
- Excellent service. Responsive, clear - can't fault them.Lucinda P.1/12/2024
- When creative people get together their first topic of conversation isn't writing or film or music - but accountants. I have nothing but good things to say about Kieran Burge at D. S. Burge. As a professional author I need a good accountant, and Kieran is friendly, accurate, fast and good value. I'd not hesitate in recommending this firm -- Henry Gee, Author of 'A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth' and 'The Accidental Species, Mistunderstandings of Human Evolution'Henry G.1/26/2022
- DS Burge & Co have been absolutely brilliant! I cannot recommend them enough.Jack H.12/26/2023
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.