Auto-enrolment
Lesson 4 of 13 in our free Pensions guide: a 5-minute money game with the key points below.
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Questions you'll answer
Mo is 20 and earns £15,000. Can he join the workplace pension?
Quick facts
- Priya, 24, earns £23,000 at one employer → Auto-enrolled. 22+ and over £10,000 — auto-enrolled.
- Mo, 20, earns £15,000 → Not automatically. Under 22 — not auto-enrolled. But he can ask to join (opt in).
- Sam, 30, earns £8,000 from one part-time job → Not automatically. Under £10,000 — not auto-enrolled, but can ask to join.
- Jo, 45, earns £35,000 → Auto-enrolled. Ticks every box.
- Fact: “If you earn below £6,240 you can still ask to join, but the employer doesn't have to contribute.” — You can join, but employer contributions aren't required at that level.
- Fact: “The £10,000 trigger is per employer, not your total income across jobs.” — Two jobs at £6,000 each won't trigger auto-enrolment — though you can ask to join.
- Myth: “Your employer can refuse to enrol you if they're busy.” — It's a legal duty. They must enrol eligible workers.