According to research carried out recently by RSM Tenon many small businesses are just not ready for pension auto enrolment. \u00a056% of employers are completely unaware as to what auto-enrolment is, or do not even realise that it applies to their business and 70% had no plans at all to implement this statutory process. \u00a0Furthermore, 40% of SMEs do not offer a pension at all and a further 5% offer a pension but has no members. \u00a0With these disturbing facts in mind here are 5 top tips to implement pension auto enrolment.<\/p>\n
1. Make a plan<\/p>\n
The implementation of pension auto enrolment takes about nine months to one year to implement so it is important to start preparing as soon as possible. \u00a0It is a statutory process and can not be ignored. \u00a0There are key staging dates that an employer needs to be aware of (the staging date is when an employer has to start auto enrolling their employees) although it is possible to implement pension auto enrolment before the planned staging date. \u00a0The employer needs to nominate a contact within the company who will be responsible for implementing the process. \u00a0Working backward from the staging date the plan should incorporate sufficient time to complete the required processes such as those detailed below as well as developing admin procedures and setting up payroll.<\/p>\n
2. Analyse the existing pension scheme<\/p>\n
An existing pension scheme must meet the eligibility laid down by the Pensions Regulator. \u00a0If no pension scheme is in place then the government NEST scheme may be implemented which has no set up charges.<\/p>\n
3. Assess the workforce<\/p>\n
The workforce should be categorised into eligible jobholders, non-eligible job holders and and entitled workers. \u00a0Eligible jobholders will have to be automatically enrolled. \u00a0They are aged between 22 and state pension age, have qualifying earnings that trigger automatic enrolment. \u00a0Non-eligible jobholders are aged between 16-21 or state pension age and 74 and have qualifying earnings that trigger automatic enrolment. \u00a0Entitled workers have the right to join the pension scheme but do not have qualifying earnings aged between 16 and 74. \u00a0This should be an annual process once auto enrolment has been implemented.<\/p>\n
4. \u00a0Communicate to the workforce<\/p>\n
Information about pension auto enrolment must be provided to the workers by the employer in writing. \u00a0This should preferably be by template letter. \u00a0An employer can also decide to provide information sessions to their workforce so they can have their questions answered or could develop an information booklet (which could be given out during an induction process to new starters).<\/p>\n
5. Inform the Pension Regulator and keep records<\/p>\n
An employer must keep certain records in support of the employer duties that will enable them to demonstrate their ongoing compliance and should build these record-keeping requirements into their existing processes. \u00a0The scheme should be registered with the Pensions Regulator.<\/p>\n