[Finance] Workplace pension. Help requested..

[The Clamp]

To those wiser than me;

I’m not very financially savvy so it’s taken me a long time to realise but I recently noticed that my work hasn’t enrolled me into the workplace pension. I’ve been employed full time for over two years.

I should have noticed way earlier but I’ve met the criteria for the pension for the last 2 years. But not been enrolled.

I raised the subject a few times over the last fortnight and finally got a reply.

Which amounts to

“Sorry we forgot, the last payroll manager we had was useless”

No offer to look into it or try and sort anything out.

I know I was negligent by not noticing. I’m very daft when it comes to numbers / finances etc.

Can they just say “sorry, we forgot” and that be the end of it?


It doesn’t seem right.

 

[Guinness Boy]

You should have been automatically enrolled.

Workplace pensions

Workplace pensions and automatic enrolment - how you're affected, how pensions are protected, what happens if you move job or go on maternity leave and how to opt out

www.gov.uk

They've probably broken employment law (check the conditions on the link though). As for getting back contributions paid in, hopefully an NSC HR or pensions expert can give more guidance. However, they absolutely have to enrol you going forwards.

 

[METALMICKY]

This may help.

Workplace pensions - what your employer can and cannot do

Workplace pensions - your employer's responsibilities to you to provide a workplace pension and what automatic enrolment means to you

www.gov.uk

 

[dazzer6666]

To those wiser than me;

I’m not very financially savvy so it’s taken me a long time to realise but I recently noticed that my work hasn’t enrolled me into the workplace pension. I’ve been employed full time for over two years.

I should have noticed way earlier but I’ve met the criteria for the pension for the last 2 years. But not been enrolled.

I raised the subject a few times over the last fortnight and finally got a reply.

Which amounts to

“Sorry we forgot, the last payroll manager we had was useless”

No offer to look into it or try and sort anything out.

I know I was negligent by not noticing. I’m very daft when it comes to numbers / finances etc.

Can they just say “sorry, we forgot” and that be the end of it?


It doesn’t seem right.

Providing you meet the criteria they have to enrol you (legal obligation) - details here

Workplace pensions

Workplace pensions and automatic enrolment - how you're affected, how pensions are protected, what happens if you move job or go on maternity leave and how to opt out

www.gov.uk

If they don’t resolve it, then go here https://www.thepensionsregulator.go...workplace,scheme duties (automatic enrolment).

 

[worthingseagull]

and almost certainly they will have to backdate payments too (but that will mean you will need to pay your share too)

 

[The Clamp]

and almost certainly they will have to backdate payments too (but that will mean you will need to pay your share too)

Yes. That’s what I figured. Which Will probably be more than I can afford in one hit. Well, almost certainly.

 

[The Clamp]

Thanks for the advice and links. I will pursue.

 

[Weststander]

Failure to auto enrol you and pay into it swiftly is a criminal offence.

Ensure that they meet past obligations due from them and from you.

Don't opt out.

Any further issues, contact The Pensions Regulator.

 

[The Clamp]

There’s no way I can afford two years worth of pension contributions in one hit.

So in short, I guess I’m fcked?

 

[dazzer6666]

There’s no way I can afford two years worth of pension contributions in one hit.

So in short, I guess I’m fcked?

Not necessarily - think they’ll have to come to an arrangement with you (eg spreading them over a period of time). Once you threaten them with the regulator I imagine they’ll try to be helpful.

 

[The Clamp]

Not necessarily - think they’ll have to come to an arrangement with you (eg spreading them over a period of time). Once you threaten them with the regulator I imagine they’ll try to be helpful.

I guess it’s worth investigating. Thank you.

 

[dazzer6666]

I guess it’s worth investigating.

They’ve ****ed up and need to sort it………without causing you any undue problems.

 

[WATFORD zero]

Aren't you talking about a large public organisation, possibly Governmental ? The very least they should do is to back pay all of their contributions and help you to contribute yours over a reasonable period, possibly even contributing some of yours as compensation for the cock up.

Good luck

 

[The Clamp]

They’ve ****ed up and need to sort it………without causing you any undue problems.

That’s my feeling. I hope it unfolds like that.

 

[The Clamp]

Aren't you talking about a large public organisation, possibly Governmental ? The very least they should do is to back pay all of their contributions and help you to contribute yours over a reasonable period, possibly even contributing some of yours as compensation for the cock up.

Good luck

Yes. And no. A private organisation funded in part by the government. It’s a tricky one but ultimately my employer should be liable to at least come to an arrangement. I’d hope.

 

[Hovegull]

As above, this is definitely illegal - have you also asked around to see if any others have been affected by this?

 

[The Clamp]

As above, this is definitely illegal - have you also asked around to see if any others have been affected by this?

It would appear a few have. I don’t have numbers yet.

 

[Algernon]

How did you find this out?
Does your payslip show the deductions/payments?

 

[The Clamp]

How did you find this out?
Does your payslip show the deductions/payments?

I had cause to go through payslips and noticed that no contributions had ever been made.


I know it seems ludicrous that I wasn’t on top of this. I’m a very organised person in all other areas of my life. I just have a strange blind spot with finances.

 

[Eric the meek]

Without knowing the rules, or where to look for them, I suspect that your employer has not only broken the law, but the law will say something like:

they have to put you in the position you would have been in, had they enrolled you at the correct time, and paid in all their contributions, and you had paid yours.

This means that your employer should pay in all the contributions they missed (and you must pay yours), PLUS the growth that the combined (missed) contributions would have achieved during the period your auto-enrolment had not taken place.

Good luck. This is your legal right. Auto-enrolment came in years ago. Don't accept any excuses.