Individuals will fall into one of the following broad categories:
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Eligible jobholders are the only workers who are automatically enrolled into a pension scheme. The employer must pay pension contributions for eligible jobholders.
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Non-eligible jobholders are not automatically enrolled, but have the right to be enrolled if they wish. If they are enrolled, the employer must pay pension contributions.
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Entitled workers have the right to be enrolled into a pension scheme, if they wish. The employer does not have to pay pension contributions for entitled workers.
The following conditions determines which of the above categories you fall into. Please note this can change if your circumstances change – for example, you could be an entitled worker one month and then the following month fall into the eligible jobholder category. However, once you fall into the eligible jobholder category, the automatic enrolment process starts.
If you are not a member of a pension scheme (USS/SAUL/NHS) because you:
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have previously opted out of a scheme
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have not joined a pension scheme
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are employed on an ’as and when’ contract or engaged on a casual basis
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have fixed protection and have withdrawn from making further scheme contributions
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have been re-employed following retirement from USS, SAUL or NHSPS
it is important that you read the applicable section in this document which will explain how automatic enrolment will affect you.
Previously opted out or not a member of a pension scheme
If you are a regular contracted employee and are under state pension age, St George’s will automatically enrol you into the Career Average Revalued Earnings Section of:
This applies even if you have previously withdrawn from membership of one of the schemes.
If you are over state pension age but under age 75, you will not be automatically enrolled into USS or SAUL. This is because you do not meet the criteria set by the government. However, you have the right to join the scheme if you want to (please see the Opting in section).
Once you have been automatically enrolled you can choose to opt out of the scheme if you want to. However, you cannot opt out prior to your opt-in date. More details will be sent to you once you have been automatically enrolled.
‘As and when’ employee/casual worker/student
If you are an ‘as and when’ employee/casual worker/student, your earnings will be assessed and you will be automatically enrolled into a pension scheme if your earnings exceed the auto enrolment earnings threshold (earnings over £833* per month *2020/2021 tax year).
Once you have been automatically enrolled you can choose to opt out of the scheme if you want to. However, you cannot opt out prior to your opt-in date. More details will be sent to you once you have been automatically enrolled.
If your earnings are less than £833 per month* you will not qualify to be auto enrolled. However, your earnings will continue to be monitored. Should your earnings qualify you for auto enrolment at a later date, you will be automatically enrolled. Similarly, if you are under age 22 or over state pension age and below age 75 you will not qualify for automatic enrolment. However, you have the right to join if you want to.
If you meet the auto enrolment conditions at the first assessment, we will enrol you into NEST and let you know we have done this. If you don’t meet the conditions at the first assessment, we will continue to assess you and if you become an eligible jobholder at a later date we will then auto enrol you. Alternatively, you may join NEST voluntarily at any time by contacting the Payroll Department.
Leaflet: Workplace information for casual staff (PDF)
Fixed protection
Under the legislation, employees who have withdrawn from contributing to a St George’s pension scheme to mitigate any further relevant accrual of benefits will be re-enrolled. Employees in this position have the option of withdrawing/opting out of the scheme to retain fixed protection. Please contact Payroll via email to find out more.
Re-employed following retirement
If you are currently receiving pension benefits from a St George’s pension scheme, and under state pension age, you will be automatically enrolled into NEST. Information with regards to the automatic enrolment and scheme details will be issued once enrolled.
You can choose to opt out of the scheme if you want to, but if you stay in you will have your own pension which you can get when you retire. St George’s and you will pay into USS, SAUL or NEST every month. The government will also contribute the tax relief.
If you are automatically enrolled into a St George’s pension scheme, more details will be sent to you including a section on opting out should you wish.
You cannot opt out of the workplace pension until you have been automatically enrolled.