Auto enrolment postponement

Keeperoftheflame

I have started a new job and my earnings are above the auto enrolment threshold and will continue to be so.  My new employer has sent a letter to me saying they are using postponement and if I meet the criteria in April I will be enrolled in the work place pension.  However, if I wish I can write to my employer and request to join the scheme before April.  My question is if I request to join early does my employer need to make employee and employer contributions over the months of January, February and March into a workplace pension for me?  If I don't make a request to join before April will I lose out on the employer contributions for January, February and March?  Or will these be backdated in April?  I've never encountered this in any previous employments so just need some clarification on this.  Thanks

QrizB

Keeperoftheflame said:

... I request to join early does my employer need to make employee and employer contributions over the months of January, February and March into a workplace pension for me?

Yes.

Keeperoftheflame said:

If I don't make a request to join before April will I lose out on the employer contributions for January, February and March?

Yes.

LittleMax

Thank you this has answered the same query that I have.  The information sent by my new employer is not as straightforward as it could be and definitely not plain english.  Anyone would think they want me to do nothing so my 12 week contract runs out before they have to enrol me!

Marcon

LittleMax said:

Thank you this has answered the same query that I have.  The information sent by my new employer is not as straightforward as it could be and definitely not plain english.  Anyone would think they want me to do nothing so my 12 week contract runs out before they have to enrol me!

What you've quoted looks extremely straightforward - not sure how they could have worded it more clearly. If they are using a generic letter to all new employees, not everyone will be eligible for employer contributions, which is why they haven't included that bit.