Skip to main content

    April 2026: New National Minimum Wage rates now in effect. Check your pay →

    Auto-Enrolment Pensions — Quick Reference

    Key Figures

    Earnings trigger (must auto-enrol above this) £10,000/year
    Lower qualifying earnings £6,240/year
    Upper qualifying earnings £50,270/year

    Minimum Contributions

    Employer minimum 3%
    Employee minimum 5% (4% net + 1% tax relief)
    Total minimum 8%

    Employer Checklist

    Common Traps

    • • No family exemption — if you employ your spouse above £10,000/year, you must enrol them
    • • Workers can opt out, but you cannot encourage them to
    • • Opt-outs must be re-enrolled every 3 years
    • • The Pensions Regulator can and does fine for non-compliance
    • • Postponement allowed for up to 3 months — but you must write to the worker

    The Pensions Regulator: 0345 600 1011 | autoenrol.tpr.gov.uk

    How this site is funded →