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  • Occupational Pensions / Auto Enrolment

Occupational Pensions / Auto Enrolment

Occupational Pensions

How occupational pension schemes work

Every payday, a percentage of the employee’s pay is deducted automatically from their salary or wages and invested in the scheme. The employer also contributes to the scheme on the employee’s behalf as does the government in the form of tax relief.

Two types of scheme

In a ‘defined contribution scheme’, the employee’s retirement income is based on the contributions made, whereas in a defined benefit scheme, the employee’s pension income is based on his or her salary and length of service with the employer. Most occupational pension schemes are defined contribution schemes.

What happens if the employer goes out of business?

Whether the scheme is managed by insurance companies or by the employer, the pension funds are not available to creditors of the employer, so employees’ pension pots should not be affected if the employer goes bust. If the scheme is a trust-based scheme, employees will still get their pensions, although not as much because the scheme’s running costs will be paid out of members’ pension pots rather than by the employer.

Auto Enrolment

Under ‘Automatic enrolment’ rules, any employer (with at least one member of staff) must automatically enrol every employee between the age of 22 and State Pension age and earning in excess of £10,000 a year (2023/24 tax year) into a ‘Workplace pension scheme’.

Contribution costs

The minimum contribution for employers is 3% of the employee’s earnings, whilst employees are obliged to contribute a maximum of 5% of their earnings before tax.

Advice on auto enrolment pensions is not regulated by the financial conduct authority.

The value of pensions and the income they produce can fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested.

Tax treatment varies according to individual circumstances and is subject to change.

Occupational Pensions / Auto Enrolment

Occupational Pensions

How occupational pension schemes work

Every payday, a percentage of the employee’s pay is deducted automatically from their salary or wages and invested in the scheme. The employer also contributes to the scheme on the employee’s behalf as does the government in the form of tax relief.

Two types of scheme

In a ‘defined contribution scheme’, the employee’s retirement income is based on the contributions made, whereas in a defined benefit scheme, the employee’s pension income is based on his or her salary and length of service with the employer. Most occupational pension schemes are defined contribution schemes.

What happens if the employer goes out of business?

Whether the scheme is managed by insurance companies or by the employer, the pension funds are not available to creditors of the employer, so employees’ pension pots should not be affected if the employer goes bust. If the scheme is a trust-based scheme, employees will still get their pensions, although not as much because the scheme’s running costs will be paid out of members’ pension pots rather than by the employer.

Auto Enrolment

Under ‘Automatic enrolment’ rules, any employer (with at least one member of staff) must automatically enrol every employee between the age of 22 and State Pension age and earning in excess of £10,000 a year (2023/24 tax year) into a ‘Workplace pension scheme’.

Contribution costs

The minimum contribution for employers is 3% of the employee’s earnings, whilst employees are obliged to contribute a maximum of 5% of their earnings before tax.

Advice on auto enrolment pensions is not regulated by the financial conduct authority.

The value of pensions and the income they produce can fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested.

Tax treatment varies according to individual circumstances and is subject to change.

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Company address: Hartley Hepworth Financial Planning Ltd, Howbrook Farm, Howbrook Lane, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S35 7EH T: 0114 2848808 E: info@hartleyhepworth.com

Hartley Hepworth Financial Planning Ltd is an appointed representative of Quilter Financial Services Limited and Quilter Mortgage Planning Limited which are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Hartley Hepworth Financial Planning Ltd is registered in England and Wales, Company No: 04675658. Registered Address: Howbrook Farm Howbrook Lane, Howbrook Wortley, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S35 7EH

The guidance and/or information contained within this website is subject to the UK regulatory regime, and is therefore targeted at consumers based in the UK.

Approver Quilter Financial Services Limited and Quilter Mortgage Planning Limited.

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