Pension reform and auto-enrolment
Around 600,000 people are expected to be automatically enrolled into a workplace pension by the end of the year under a new system that automatically diverts funds from their pay packet.
Auto-enrolment begins on 1 October 2012 and will mark one of the biggest changes to the pension system in the UK.
Employers and employees will pay contributions into pension savings unless the employee opts out.
Employers aged over 22, earning more than £8,105 and not already signed up to a workplace pension will be enrolled automatically into a pension scheme.
However, this system will be phased in gradually, with workers in the smallest firms not seeing a change for a few years.
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) estimates that 380,000 workers will be signed up in October 2012, a total of 420,000 will be enrolled by the end of November, and 600,000 will be in place by the end of the year.
The aim is for more people to save for their retirement, rather than relying solely on the state pension. Single people can get a maximum of £107.45 a week basic state pension (in tax year 2012-13) so the need for additional savings is evident.
Contact us to discuss how pension reform and auto-enrolment affect you. Whether you are an employer or employed, we can help you through the changes. Our expert independent advice can ensure you are fully prepared for auto-enrolment.