Auto-Enrolment for Part-Time Workers
Do part-time workers get auto-enrolled into pensions? Understand how hours and earnings affect pension eligibility.
Last updated: 30 January 2025
Part-time workers have the same auto-enrolment rights based on earnings.
Hours vs Earnings
What Matters
| Factor | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Hours worked | Indirectly |
| Annual earnings | Directly |
| Threshold | £10,000/year |
Hours Don't Directly Determine
| Position | Detail |
|---|---|
| No minimum hours | Required |
| Earnings threshold | Is key |
| Part-time | Can be eligible |
Assessment Based on Earnings
Annual Earnings Thresholds
| Category | Earnings (Annual) |
|---|---|
| Eligible | Over £10,000 |
| Non-eligible | £6,240 - £10,000 |
| Entitled | Under £6,240 |
Example Part-Time Workers
| Hours | Rate | Annual | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15/week | £15/hour | £11,700 | Eligible |
| 10/week | £12/hour | £6,240 | Non-eligible |
| 8/week | £12/hour | £4,992 | Entitled |
Eligible Part-Time Workers
Must Be Auto-Enrolled
| If | Position |
|---|---|
| Age 22-SPA | And |
| Earn over £10,000 | Annually |
| Work in UK | Then eligible |
Employer Duties
| Must | Do |
|---|---|
| Auto-enrol | Into scheme |
| Contribute | 3% minimum |
| Communicate | Enrolment letter |
Example
| Worker Details | Position |
|---|---|
| 20 hours/week | Part-time |
| £12/hour | Rate |
| £12,480/year | Over threshold |
| Age 35 | Working age |
| Result | Eligible - must enrol |
Non-Eligible Part-Time Workers
Opt-In Rights
| If | Position |
|---|---|
| Earn £6,240-£10,000 | Per year |
| Any working age | 16-74 |
| Can opt in | With employer contribution |
Employer Duties
| Must | Do |
|---|---|
| Inform of rights | Opt-in letter |
| Process opt-in | If requested |
| Contribute | If they opt in |
Example
| Worker Details | Position |
|---|---|
| 12 hours/week | Part-time |
| £12/hour | Rate |
| £7,488/year | In band |
| Result | Non-eligible - opt-in available |
Entitled Part-Time Workers
Joining Rights
| If | Position |
|---|---|
| Earn under £6,240 | Per year |
| Age 16-74 | Any working age |
| Can join | Scheme |
| No employer contribution | Required |
Example
| Worker Details | Position |
|---|---|
| 8 hours/week | Part-time |
| £11/hour | Rate |
| £4,576/year | Under threshold |
| Result | Entitled - can join |
Variable Hours
Zero-Hours and Casual
| Challenge | Approach |
|---|---|
| Hours vary | Assess each period |
| Earnings fluctuate | Track carefully |
| May become eligible | Some periods |
Assessment Method
| Period | Action |
|---|---|
| Each pay period | Assess earnings |
| If over threshold | Eligible that period |
| Once enrolled | Usually continue |
Multiple Part-Time Jobs
Different Employers
| Position | Detail |
|---|---|
| Each job | Separate assessment |
| Each employer | Independent |
| Not combined | For thresholds |
Example
| Job A | Job B | Combined |
|---|---|---|
| £6,000 | £5,000 | £11,000 |
| Not eligible | Not eligible | But £11,000 total |
| Neither employer | Must enrol | Each below threshold |
Single Employer Multiple Roles
| Position | Detail |
|---|---|
| Same employer | Combine earnings |
| One employment | Relationship |
| Total assessed | Together |
Benefits for Part-Time Workers
Why Join
| Benefit | Value |
|---|---|
| Employer contribution | Free money |
| Tax relief | On contributions |
| Building pot | For retirement |
| Pro-rata | Still valuable |
Example Benefit
| Earnings | £8,000/year | | Qualifying | £1,760 | | Employer (3%) | £52.80 | | Tax relief | £17.60 | | "Free" money | £70.40/year |
Common Scenarios
Scenario 1: Retail Part-Timer
| Details | Position |
|---|---|
| 16 hours/week | Part-time |
| £11/hour | Retail rate |
| £9,152/year | Under £10,000 |
| Age 25 | Working age |
| Category | Non-eligible |
| Action | Opt-in letter |
Scenario 2: Professional Part-Timer
| Details | Position |
|---|---|
| 20 hours/week | Part-time |
| £25/hour | Professional rate |
| £26,000/year | Well over threshold |
| Age 40 | Working age |
| Category | Eligible |
| Action | Auto-enrol |
Scenario 3: Weekend Worker
| Details | Position |
|---|---|
| 8 hours/week | Weekends only |
| £12/hour | Rate |
| £4,992/year | Below £6,240 |
| Age 19 | Under 22 anyway |
| Category | Entitled |
| Action | Joining rights letter |
Communicating with Part-Time Workers
Same Requirements
| Must | Provide |
|---|---|
| Appropriate letter | For their category |
| Scheme information | If relevant |
| Timely | Within 6 weeks |
Part-Time Specific
| Consider | Communication |
|---|---|
| Work patterns | May not be in office |
| Contact details | Current address |
| Methods | Email, post, etc |
Record Keeping
Track
| Record | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Hours | Context |
| Earnings | Assessment |
| Category | Current status |
| Changes | If earnings change |
Summary
Key Points
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Hours | Don't directly determine |
| Earnings | Are the key |
| Over £10,000 | Eligible |
| £6,240-£10,000 | Non-eligible |
| Under £6,240 | Entitled |
Part-Time Categories
| Earnings | Category | Employer Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Over £10,000 | Eligible | Required |
| £6,240-£10,000 | Non-eligible | If opt in |
| Under £6,240 | Entitled | Not required |
Related answers
Eligible Jobholders for Auto-Enrolment
Who is an eligible jobholder for pension auto-enrolment? Understand the criteria for automatic pension enrolment.
Non-Eligible Jobholders
What is a non-eligible jobholder? Understand workers who can opt in to pension auto-enrolment and their rights.
Workforce Assessment for Auto-Enrolment
How do you assess workers for pension auto-enrolment? Understand the process of categorising your workforce.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do part-time workers get auto-enrolled?
- Part-time workers are auto-enrolled if they meet the same criteria as anyone else - aged 22 to State Pension age and earning over £10,000/year. The number of hours doesn't matter directly; it's the annual earnings that count.
- What if a part-time worker earns less than £10,000?
- They're either a non-eligible jobholder (can opt in with employer contributions) or an entitled worker (can join without employer contribution), depending on whether they earn above or below £6,240/year.
- Can part-time workers opt into the pension scheme?
- Yes. Non-eligible jobholders (earning £6,240-£10,000) can opt in and receive employer contributions. Entitled workers (earning under £6,240) can join but employers don't have to contribute for them.