Finding it impossible to opt out of auto-enrolled pension

tikki999

Started a new job a couple of months ago. A month and a half in I get the letter about auto-enrolment. There is no information on the letter about how to opt out (this is a first in my experienced)

I check at work and find a phone number to call. I call the number and, eventually, told I cannot opt out on that number and to go back to my HR. HR tell me to go back to the company administering pension. I register my account and still no information on opting out. I email, a week later - still no information. I emailed again yesterday having got in too late to catch anyone in the office.

What else can I do? I have less than 2 weeks to opt out. Where can I go to complain about this? I have never had this problem before. Either I am handed a form to fill in or signposted to a website and fill in a form there. This feels like they want to make it as difficult as possible to make that choice.

nicechap

tikki999 wrote: »

...got in too late to catch anyone in the office.

What else can I do?

Maybe set your alarm earlier?


How do you plan to look after yourself when you retire? (or is that the real reason you've posted this thread?)

bap98189

You can opt out simply by writing a letter to your HR/Payroll department telling them you want to opt out.

However, you may want to look into the benefits it brings before rushing to that decision. Yes, there is a contribution from you, but it is tax-free and there is also a significant contribution from your employer. Currently the employer contribution is only 1% but it is set to rise to 2% and then 3% by 2019. That's essentially free money going straight into your pension fund.

ReadingTim

Why do you want to turn down free money and an income in retirement? Because of you think the state will provide you with a comfortable standard of living in old age, you're going to be very disappointed.

tikki999

Thanks bap98189 - Even if I spoke, and emailed, my HR to request to opt out and they continue to signpost me to the company dealing with the pensions side? Be grateful for any further thoughts.

(nice chap - not sure what you are asking. I thought my question was clear: how can I opt out of the pension? However, I appreciate the bit you quoted may have been unclear. To clarify: I got in (to my home after work) too late (after 5pm) to catch anyone in an office that could help me.)

badmemory

I think the best answer to your original post is GOOD!

However if you really insist on taking a pay cut, then I suggest you do as suggested & speak to the company dealing with the pensions. They probably deal with it like this to avoid accusations in the future that they encouraged people to come out of the pension (which is illegal) as it is such a bad idea.

hyubh

tikki999 wrote: »

This feels like they want to make it as difficult as possible to make that choice.

Why would 'they' want to do that? You surrendering the employer contribution is a small win for the employer. Presumably it's only statutory minimum AE...?

tikki999

So, to summarise, the advice so far:

1 - deal with the company administering the pension

2 - deal with HR at work

Cheers

hyubh

tikki999 wrote: »

So, to summarise, the advice so far:

1 - deal with the company administering the pension

2 - deal with HR at work

Cheers

Under AE legislation, to opt out as you wish, you must go through the employer not the pension provider.

However, and notwithstanding a certain poster's apparent desire to make a reasonable question sound as unreasonable as possible, why are you wishing to take a voluntary pay cut? Because that's what opting out implies, given the employer won't give you a small gross pay rise in return for the forgone employer pension contribution.

General_Grant

I have found that you may have to have the first payment deducted from your pay and paid to the pension company before you can opt out. You can then get your contribution back.

When you log into your account online is there evidence that any payment has been received by the company?

sangie595

hyubh wrote: »

Under AE legislation, to opt out as you wish, you must go through the employer not the pension provider.

However, and notwithstanding a certain poster's apparent desire to make a reasonable question sound as unreasonable as possible, why are you wishing to take a voluntary pay cut? Because that's what opting out implies, given the employer won't give you a small gross pay rise in return for the forgone employer pension contribution.

I'm perfectly aware of your desire to have a go at me every chance you get. So please spit it out. In what way do you suggest that the state pension will provide for, or even exist, in the future? This is not about a "pay cut" - the employers contributions will never be given to the OP. And their own contributions are not a pay cut, but an investment for their own future.

The OP is being foolish if they think that the next couple of generations will pay for their retirement. It was never a luxurious prospect anyway, but those days are gone. Save for your own retirement - or live in poverty. That's the choice...