What Is Auto-Enrolment? Your Workplace Pension Explained
Employers must enrol most workers in a pension and add money to it. Here is who qualifies and what goes in.
Who is enrolled automatically?
Your employer must put you in a workplace pension if you are aged 22 or over, under State Pension age, work in the UK and earn more than £10,000 a year from that job. Workers who earn less, or are younger, can ask to join, and employers must contribute for some of them too.
How much goes in
The legal minimum total is 8% of your “qualifying earnings”, of which your employer pays at least 3%. Qualifying earnings are the slice of your pay between £6,240 and £50,270. Many employers pay more than the minimum.
Tax relief
Your contribution gets tax relief, so the cost to your pay is lower than the amount going in. How you get the relief depends on how your employer runs the scheme; see salary sacrifice and the salary sacrifice calculator.
Opting out
You can opt out, but you then lose your employer’s contribution, which is part of your pay. Think carefully first. You are re-enrolled about every three years.
Compare saving through a pension with other options in the pension vs ISA calculator.
This guide is general information, not financial or legal advice. Rates checked 8 October 2026 against GOV.UK.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum auto-enrolment contribution?
8% of qualifying earnings in total, with at least 3% from your employer.
Can I opt out of my workplace pension?
Yes, but you give up your employer’s contribution and the tax relief.
What is the earnings trigger for auto-enrolment?
£10,000 a year from one job, for workers aged 22 up to State Pension age.
Related
Figures are for the 2026/27 tax year from official sources and are estimates for guidance only, not financial or legal advice. Printed from ukanswers.co.uk.