Every payday, a percentage of the employee’s pay is deducted automatically from their salary or wages and invested in the scheme. The employer also contributes to the scheme on the employee’s behalf as does the government in the form of tax relief.
In a ‘defined contribution scheme’, the employee’s retirement income is based on the contributions made, whereas in a defined benefit scheme, the employee’s pension income is based on his or her salary and length of service with the employer. Most occupational pension schemes are defined contribution schemes.
Whether the scheme is managed by insurance companies or by the employer, the pension funds are not available to creditors of the employer, so employees’ pension pots should not be affected if the employer goes bust. If the scheme is a trust-based scheme, employees will still get their pensions, although not as much because the scheme’s running costs will be paid out of members’ pension pots rather than by the employer.
Under ‘Automatic enrolment’ rules, any employer (with at least one member of staff) must automatically enrol every employee between the age of 22 and State Pension age and earning in excess of £10,000 a year into a ‘Workplace pension scheme’.
Advice on auto enrolment pensions is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Wealth Genius does not provide advice or services relating to auto-enrolment or occupational pension scheme setup. We can explain how these arrangements work and what they mean for employers and employees. Where specific advice or implementation is required, we can refer you to a suitably qualified specialist.
