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ARTICLE · 21 JULY 2010

Bitesize: What Do I Need to Know About UK Pensions?

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Do Employers Have to Pay Pension Contributions for Employees in the UK? Only if they have chosen to set up an occupational pension scheme that requires them to pay. If not, they must pay National Insurance Contributions to the State; and they must designate a stakeholder pension, but they do not have to pay contributions to it.

United KingdomEmployment and HR
Martin Scott
Martin Scott
Anna Rogers
Anna Rogers
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Originally published 9 July 2010

Keywords: UK Pensions, pension contributions, occupational pension scheme, National Insurance Contributions, stakeholder pension,

Do Employers Have to Pay Pension Contributions for Employees in the UK?

Only if they have chosen to set up an occupational pension scheme that requires them to pay. If not, they must pay National Insurance Contributions to the State; and they must designate a stakeholder pension, but they do not have to pay contributions to it.

Is This Going to Change?

Yes. There will be new employer duties to make minimum pension contributions. Employers will have to contribute at least 3% of qualifying earnings into a suitable arrangement. Broadly, qualifying earnings are gross earnings between £5,035 and £33,540. Employees must be "auto-enrolled" in a suitable plan.

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