Employer's pension contributions - statements

bluefishbehindme

Hi, new here, I hope I'm in the right place!

I am in a workplace pension scheme, to which my employer makes a monthly contribution, as do I, directly from my salary. Recently I have had notification from the scheme provider that my employer has missed a number of contributions.

I have a statement of contributions from the provider, which lists contributions by date, but without a payment period reference.

My employer is saying that they cannot give me a statement of the contributions made by them to the provider, as they only hold information for the company as a whole, not for individuals.

I don't want to suggest that they are withholding information, but does this sound realistic? I believe they are using Sage payroll. Is there any legal requirement for the employer to provide the employee a breakdown of contributions made?

(For info, I believe they are now making up the missed contributions).

Thanks.

MallyGirl

they will be sending one big payment but that must be accompanied by instructions on how much should be allocated to which employee

El_Torro

Your employer is legally obliged to make payments within a timely manner to your workplace pension scheme. If the pension provider is saying that they didn't receive them and your employer is saying that they did pay them then I would have thought this was something for them to sort out between them. It's not for you to chase around and get to the bottom of.

Bearing the above in mind I also don't think your employer legally has to show you proof of the contributions they made. All you should care about is that the right amount of money has landed in your pension.

If you want to complain to anyone I think the Pension Regulator is your next port of call, if the pension provider and your employer aren't finding these missing payments.

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81899142#Comment_81899142

….which presumably would be the number that appears on the monthly payslip for each employee?

bluefishbehindme

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81899142#Comment_81899142

That's interesting, thank you, so they might be correct in saying they can't give me a personal statement?

Marcon

Recently I have had notification from the scheme provider that my employer has missed a number of contributions.

I have a statement of contributions from the provider, which lists contributions by date, but without a payment period reference.

Are the contributions deducted from your salary being paid over on a regular basis? Sage has powerful reporting functions, including the ability to generate a Pensions Contributions Report: https://gb-kb.sage.com/portal/app/portlets/results/viewsolution.jsp?solutionid=222001000101496&hypermediatext=null

(For info, I believe they are now making up the missed contributions).

When pension contributions are not paid in a timely manner, it usually indicates one of two things: a company with cashflow issues, or incompetence.

'Believing' they are making up the contributions isn't enough - you need to find out what exactly is happening and seek reassurance that the errors won't be repeated. I appreciate that isn't always easy at a time when people can be fearful of rocking the boat, but the old phrase 'asking nicely' can help smooth the way.

If you've missed out on significant growth as a result of the delays, that could be another conversation for a future date - for now, getting the money paid is the priority.

bluefishbehindme

Thanks, understood. The reason I am curious is that the dates on the provider's statement don't always correspond directly to pay periods. I understand that (in theory at least) the employer is required to make payments within 22 days of the payroll payment, and they then have 90 days before the provider takes action (in this case a letter to the employee noting the missed payment).

The employer is on the case, but if I had a detailed statement from the employer I could check month by month, if payments were actually made on time, or late, or missed entirely.

bluefishbehindme

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81899145#Comment_81899145

Thanks, understood. The reason I am curious is that the dates on the provider's statement don't always correspond directly to pay periods. I understand that (in theory at least) the employer is required to make payments within 22 days of the payroll payment, and they then have 90 days before the provider takes action (in this case a letter to the employee noting the missed payment).

The employer is on the case, but if I had a detailed statement from the employer I could check month by month, if payments were actually made on time, or late, or missed entirely

Marcon

I understand that (in theory at least) the employer is required to make payments within 22 days of the payroll payment

Not quite:

When you must pay your contributions

You must agree the dates when you will pay contributions into the scheme with your scheme provider.

However, by law, when you take contributions from your staff's pay you must pay these to your pension scheme by the 22nd (19th if you pay by cheque) day of the next month.

Source: https://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/employers/new-employers/im-an-employer-who-has-to-provide-a-pension/choose-a-pension-scheme/understanding-your-costs/making-contributions-to-your-pension-scheme

Albermarle

The reason I am curious is that the dates on the provider's statement 

Can you look directly on line at your account/? It might have more detail about payments dates etc .

bluefishbehindme

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81899196#Comment_81899196

Unfortunately the online statement (and physical statement supplied by the provider) only shows the amount and date payment received, there is no reference to link each payment to its pay period.