Opting out and opting back in - not possible?

scottishgirl87

I started a new job just over a year ago and was automatically opted into the company pension scheme. As I was only employed on a temporary basis of under a year I chose (stupidly!) to opt out of the pension scheme. I have never had the opportunity to join a pension scheme before and didn't see the point when I was only with the company for a few months and potentially move on to somewhere where I potentially wouldn't be offered a pension scheme.

Fast forward to this year and my company decide to offer me a permanent role which I've accepted and am still here now. I asked if I could now opt into the scheme now that I have a permanent position which I have been told due to the law it's not possible. Is that right? Looking for some more information on what the law actually says but I can't seem to find what I'm looking for.

Also another staff member informed me that she had originally opted out and was able to opt back in at a later date by explaining that her circumstances had now changed. Unfortunately, she's no longer with the company so I can't even ask her more about it.

Any information would be great.

CLAPTON

it's certainly not the law but it may be their current rules; ask for the T&Cs of the pension scheme and read the rules

jamesd

The law does not in general restrict the ability of a pension scheme to allow you to join. Your circumstances have clearly been changed by the decision of the company to offer you a permanent position.

You might also ask HR how long you'd have to be not working for the company between the end of your temporary position and the start of your permanent one to allow you to join the pension scheme.

scottishgirl87

Thank you both. I really didn't think there would be a law on it but that is how my manager has explained, he said basically if the law changed tomorrow then I could join. I thought it would be more to do with the T's and C's, I'll look into them.