Administration needs

Petelang

I am just dipping a toe in the water as the start of planning for AE. Our start date is Jan 2017. Small employer, catering trade, most of our seven employees are on a bit above minimum wage but part time. I have three who could be in the band where automatic enrolment is required. One of these, our key staff member, is adamant she will leave if we start taking deductions!
Reading up, the pensions regulator mentions a lot about payroll software (here we go, another unnecessary expense) which we don't use. We employ hmrc's RTI and record it all on excellent spreadsheets. What exactly will I need to have to comply? Is it necessary to buy expensive software?
As a good employer, I want to give my staff the best possible return on investment but sorting out the best scheme is a nightmare with all fees and charges. I have looked at NEST but note many comments say it's rubbish and not cheapest on charges. Clearly it's performance that counts at the end of the day but is this in any way predictable?
I probably shouldn't say this here but I have a phobic distrust of IFA'S (having been robbed by a few, big fat fees, under performing funds, take the money and run...you get the drift!) so do not desire to employ one to advise on this. I'd rather put such money to grow in the employees pension. Is there any IFA'S that get paid on results?
Can any employers who have come out of the other side of this nightmare already offer guidance as to what have been good decisions?
All advice gratefully received.
Peter

AbbieCadabra

hmrc basic tools already has a section for pension contributions, so i don't see why you can't still use it once you're in a scheme? the pension scheme will provide the amount to be deducted & just detail this on tools? they can't force us to use specific software, can they?!

some useful info here from this is money, but you'll just have to search for reviews/performance on which actual scheme to go for.

hjd

I use Moneysoft Payroll Manager. That will cost you £58+VAT per annum. Not too expensive!
Much better (and cheaper) than Sage (I have used both).

xylophone

You've seen this? http://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/employers/finding-a-provider.aspx

Your employees have seen this? https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/overview

and this? https://www.gov.uk/workplace-pensions

Your key worker is happy to take a salary cut because that is what losing your contribution amounts to?

http://www.brodies.com/sites/default/files/pages/auto%20enrolement%20-%20salary%20sacrifice.pdf

http://www.pensionsworld.co.uk/pw/article/auto-enrolment-fair-exchange-is-no-robbery-12318911

might be worth a read?

xylophone

Incidentally https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5285769

post 4 re NOW Pensions might be of interest.

Brightspark87

Hi

not all IFAs are rubbish and this is some of our areas of speciality - we dont charge huge fees and our profession has undergone huge changes. I think you should speak to one of us! Perhaps a women - we are IFAs too!