Automatic enrolment – key messages from The Pensions Regulator

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Key fact: 44% of business advisers The Pensions Regulator has spoken to said that their client will rely on them completely to help with automatic enrolment.

Make sure you’re up to speed with all aspects of the process and fill in any gaps in your knowledge by visiting The Pensions Regulator’s business advisers guide.

Even if none of your client’s staff are eligible for automatic enrolment, they can still ask to join a pension scheme. A scheme only needs to be put in place if they ask to join or their circumstances change and they become eligible for automatic enrolment.Automatic enrolment: What your client needs to do if they have no staff to enrol

Your client will still need to write to their staff to let them know what’s happening and complete a declaration of compliance.

The frequently asked questions section on The Pensions Regulator’s website gives more information on what to do if there aren’t any members of staff to be automatically enrolled.

Automatic enrolment: companies with no staff – what action to take?

Companies with no staff other than directors may not have any automatic enrolment duties.

If you have clients who do not have staff and who receive a letter from The Pensions Regulator, you should advise them to get in touch with the regulator in writing to explain their circumstances.

Go to The Pensions Regulator’s website to find out more information or to view a video on what your clients should do if they’re a sole director or if the only other people working at the company are directors.

Automatic enrolment: urge your clients to prepare early to avoid risking a fine

The Pensions Regulator has found a significant minority of employers have received compliance notices and fines because they have left it too late to complete their duties on time.

Employers should plan ahead and allow time to choose a scheme, assess their staff and tell them about automatic enrolment.

It’s important to understand what to do and by when and this will depend on the circumstances of your clients and their staff. To work this out look at the timeline and tasks detailed on The Pensions Regulator’s website.

For more information on payroll, pensions and more visit our CPD resources by clicking the image below

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AAT Comment offers news and opinion on the world of business and finance from the Association of Accounting Technicians.

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