Self employed and bank work

rustywallet

I wondered if someone could help. I have had a lot of jobs over the last 20 years and I'm trying to sort out my pension. My current contract is ending soon and I'm thinking of doing bank work (in care) and also some self employed work. 
For the bank work, does the care company contribute to my pension pot with the government nest scheme? With self-employment (or bank work), can I pay into this myself instead? 
Thanks, 

Albermarle

For the bank work, does the care company contribute to my pension pot with the government nest scheme? With self-employment (or bank work), can I pay into this myself instead? 

NEST is just one of many auto enrolment pension providers, so it could be another provider involved.

From your self employed income , you can contribute it to a pension and the provider will add basic rate tax relief. 

For the bank work , it would best to ask the care company direct . Normally they should offer a pension but if you are only doing a few hours a week , I think they don't have to. 

rustywallet

Thanks for your reply. I was thinking of getting all my pensions together (I have had a lot of temporary jobs in the last 5 years) and putting them all in NEST, then asking NEST if I can pay into the pot myself as a self employed person. I will ask the care company if I am entitled to a pension through them also. The only reason I am choosing NEST is because it seems to be the one the government is backing?

Albermarle

When auto enrolment started there was a need for increased capacity in the pensions industry , especially for providing small firms and their employees with simple low cost solutions. NEST was set up by the government to help provide this . However at the end of the day they are just one of a number of mainstream pension companies in the UK . The government does not back them in the way you mean and in any case mainstream pension companies are not seen to be risky , or ever likely to go bust, if that is what you are thinking.
The main stand out point about NEST is that there is 1.8 % initial fee when you invest , whilst for nearly all other pensions there is no charge. On the other side their annual charge is relatively low at 0.3%, compared to 0.5% to 0.75% normally.

greatkingrat

The threshold is currently £118 per week, so if you are earning less than this, they do not have to make any pension contributions for you (although they may choose to be more generous than the legal minimum).