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Automatic enrolment: Deadline shift for pension reform Automatic enrolment: Deadline shift for pension reform
(40 minutes later)
Full implementation of plans to automatically enrol workers into pension schemes will be in place three years later than originally planned.Full implementation of plans to automatically enrol workers into pension schemes will be in place three years later than originally planned.
A new timetable published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirms that the minimum level of contributions will now be phased in by October 2018. A new timetable published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirms that the minimum level of contributions will now be fully phased in by October 2018.
The system aims to ensure that millions of workers start saving for retirement.The system aims to ensure that millions of workers start saving for retirement.
Enrolment starts in October this year, beginning with the largest employers.Enrolment starts in October this year, beginning with the largest employers.
Workers will automatically be put into their employer's existing staff pension schemes, or one backed by the government such as the new National Employment Savings Trust (NEST), unless they specifically opt out.Workers will automatically be put into their employer's existing staff pension schemes, or one backed by the government such as the new National Employment Savings Trust (NEST), unless they specifically opt out.
'Burden''Burden'
Businesses face two deadlines. The first is for the auto-enrolment system to get under way.Businesses face two deadlines. The first is for the auto-enrolment system to get under way.
The process will be phased in, with the largest firms starting in October this year.The process will be phased in, with the largest firms starting in October this year.
Businesses with fewer than 30 employees will be the last in line, so that all existing firms will have enrolled their staff by April 2017.Businesses with fewer than 30 employees will be the last in line, so that all existing firms will have enrolled their staff by April 2017.
Newly established firms must enrol their staff by February 2018.Newly established firms must enrol their staff by February 2018.
"Automatic enrolment will begin on time this October, taking up to 10 million people into pension saving, many for the first time ever, and all employers will be part of it," said Pensions Minister Steve Webb."Automatic enrolment will begin on time this October, taking up to 10 million people into pension saving, many for the first time ever, and all employers will be part of it," said Pensions Minister Steve Webb.
"We have done all we can to ease any burden on business the reforms will bring and employers of all sizes now know the date they need to start enrolling their staff.""We have done all we can to ease any burden on business the reforms will bring and employers of all sizes now know the date they need to start enrolling their staff."
'No more delays''No more delays'
The second deadline is for employers and employees to reach the statutory minimum level of contributions being put into the employees' pension pot.The second deadline is for employers and employees to reach the statutory minimum level of contributions being put into the employees' pension pot.
Businesses and employees will usually have about 15 months to build up to the minimum level of contributions.Businesses and employees will usually have about 15 months to build up to the minimum level of contributions.
Initially, this was supposed to be in place in 2015.Initially, this was supposed to be in place in 2015.
The last published timetable suggested this would be in place by October 2017, but now the deadline is October 2018.The last published timetable suggested this would be in place by October 2017, but now the deadline is October 2018.
"Auto-enrolment was conceived against a backdrop of rising personal incomes and a growing economy," said Rudi Smith, of consultants Towers Watson."Auto-enrolment was conceived against a backdrop of rising personal incomes and a growing economy," said Rudi Smith, of consultants Towers Watson.
"It will obviously be tougher for employers and employees to absorb the costs of contributions in today's environment, but paying for retirement is not getting any cheaper."It will obviously be tougher for employers and employees to absorb the costs of contributions in today's environment, but paying for retirement is not getting any cheaper.
"The government is saying there will be no further delays regardless of what happens to the economy, and employers will have to plan on this basis," he added."The government is saying there will be no further delays regardless of what happens to the economy, and employers will have to plan on this basis," he added.
The contributions
Automatic enrolment will apply to workers who are at least 22 years old but also below their state pension age, and who earn more than £7,475 a year.
Minimum contributions will be paid on their earnings between £5,035 and £33,540.
Employers will start paying a minimum of 1% of qualifying earnings, rising to a minimum of 3% by 1 October 2018.
Employees will start paying a minimum of 1% of their qualifying earnings, rising to a minimum of 5% by 1 October 2018.
Michelle Mitchell, Age UK's charity director, said: "We were disappointed that the original timetable for the introduction of auto-enrolment was delayed but at least now there is a clear schedule to allow employers and employees to plan for the future and a firm commitment not to exempt small businesses."Michelle Mitchell, Age UK's charity director, said: "We were disappointed that the original timetable for the introduction of auto-enrolment was delayed but at least now there is a clear schedule to allow employers and employees to plan for the future and a firm commitment not to exempt small businesses."
"The timetable must not be allowed to slip further and the government must now encourage employers to start putting arrangements in place.""The timetable must not be allowed to slip further and the government must now encourage employers to start putting arrangements in place."