Automatic Enrolment: As The World Changes, Earnings Thresholds Stay The Same

More low-paid part-time workers are now eligible for automatic enrolment, including some who earn less than they can expect to receive from the State in retirement. The relationship between statutory minimum contributions and full earnings has also changed over time.

In April 2014, an employee paid the minimum wage would have to work a little over 30 hours per week to be automatically enrolled into a workplace pension (rather than just having the right to opt in) ¹. From April 2024, under 17 hours will suffice. In that time, the main minimum wage rate will have increased from £6.31/hour to £11.44². Meanwhile, keeping the automatic enrolment earnings trigger at £192/week (£10,000 a year) means it has fallen in real terms.