My part-time job is just 20 hours a month, can I get employers’ contributions in workplace pension?

Thriftymissus

I have a small, low-paid part-time job alongside freelance creative work. 

I’ve requested information about a company pension, I understand I don’t work enough hours or earn enough to be automatically enrolled, but I’m trying to understand if I can still pay into a company pension and get employers’ contributions working 20 hours a month. I’m still waiting for a reply but it’s playing on my mind.

Apologies for a very basic question. I’m a little way off retirement age and have a personal pension I pay into but want to find out about potentially joining a pension scheme for my modestly salaried role. I’ve been in the job a number of months now and having settled would like to find out more about its pension scheme.

I’ve searched on here as well as more widely online and can’t find what I’m looking for. Specifically I’d like to know is there a stipulated minimum number of hours worked required to be included in a company pension scheme or is it up to individual firms and organisations. 

The organisation I work for tend to move at such a slow pace in replying so I thought I’d ask here too. 

Can anyone point me in the direction of relevant links to forum discussions or other guidance? 

Thanks very much for any wisdom anyone can offer. 

Marcon

Thriftymissus said:

I have a small, low-paid part-time job alongside freelance creative work. 

I’ve requested information about a company pension, I understand I don’t work enough hours or earn enough to be automatically enrolled, but I’m trying to understand if I can still pay into a company pension and get employers’ contributions working 20 hours a month. I’m still waiting for a reply but it’s playing on my mind.

Apologies for a very basic question. I’m a little way off retirement age and have a personal pension I pay into but want to find out about potentially joining a pension scheme for my modestly salaried role. I’ve been in the job a number of months now and having settled would like to find out more about its pension scheme.

I’ve searched on here as well as more widely online and can’t find what I’m looking for. Specifically I’d like to know is there a stipulated minimum number of hours worked required to be included in a company pension scheme or is it up to individual firms and organisations. 

The organisation I work for tend to move at such a slow pace in replying so I thought I’d ask here too. 

Can anyone point me in the direction of relevant links to forum discussions or other guidance? 

Thanks very much for any wisdom anyone can offer. 

It isn't about hours worked; it's about annual earnings (and age). See https://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/business-advisers/automatic-enrolment-guide-for-business-advisers/opting-in-and-joining

The important bit is that if you are aged 16-74 earning at least £6,240 per annum, then you can 'opt in' by making a signed written request to your employer. Don't wait for them to reply to your enquiries; do it pro-actively if you meet those requirements and they will need to enrol you within a month and pay employer contributions if you pay employee contributions.

If you are earning under £6,240 per annum (and 20 hours per month at what you describe as 'low pay' could well mean you are), then you can ask to join a scheme and your employer must allow you to do so, but they don't have to pay employer contributions and it doesn't have to be the scheme they normally use for auto-enrolment (but should still be 'good quality').

Thriftymissus

thanks very much @Marcon for your thoughtful and detailed reply. The bit I wasn’t grasping is that while I’m aware I don’t fit the earnings/hours worked to hit auto enrolment eligibility, the company also says people who don’t fit that eligibility can opt in, but I’m unsure of whether alongside the rules on eligibility for automatic enrolment there are also guidelines companies can follow on whether or not they should also pay contributions for those earning lower. Or whether each company follows its own procedures. I can see from your answer (thanks again) that they don’t have to pay employer contributions. So, I’m taking from this it’s not going to be necessarily worth my while to opt in to this pension, but I should research it as how it compares to my private pension.

thanks again for taking the time to reply so helpfully, it’s really appreciated.

Marcon

Thank you. I'm just sorry my answer wasn't what you'd hoped for - BUT there is nothing to stop you asking your employer if they are prepared to make contributions if you join the scheme, and it's possible they may be willing to do so if 'asked nicely'(!). You may not have right on your side, but politeness and persuasion can often go a long way... I do hope so.

Thriftymissus

Thank you — your answer was precisely what I needed! They are a not for profit, caring organisation so let’s see how much they’re prepared to care for their frontline caring staff 😀