Pension Re-Enrolment
What is pension re-enrolment? Understand the three-yearly duty to re-enrol workers who opted out of auto-enrolment.
Last updated: 30 January 2025
Re-enrolment is the cyclical duty to re-enrol workers every three years.
What Is Re-Enrolment?
Definition
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Three-yearly duty | Recurring obligation |
| Re-assess workforce | All workers |
| Re-enrol eligible | Who aren't in scheme |
| Including | Those who opted out |
Purpose
| Aim | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Give second chance | To save |
| Counter inertia | Of opting out |
| Refresh workforce | Assessment |
| Maintain coverage | Pension saving |
Re-Enrolment Date
Calculating Your Date
| Basis | Date |
|---|---|
| Staging date | Original date |
| Plus 3 years | Anniversary |
| Then every | 3 years |
The Window
| You Can Choose | Date Within |
|---|---|
| 3 months before | Anniversary |
| To 3 months after | Anniversary |
| Within this window | Your choice |
Example
| If Staging Date | Re-Enrolment Due |
|---|---|
| 1 June 2021 | Around 1 June 2024 |
| Window | 1 March to 1 Sept 2024 |
| Your choice | Within window |
Who to Re-Enrol
Must Re-Enrol
| Worker | If |
|---|---|
| Eligible jobholder | On re-enrolment date |
| Not active member | Of qualifying scheme |
| Including | Previous opt-outs |
Assessment
| On Re-Enrolment Date | Check |
|---|---|
| Age | 22 to SPA |
| Earnings | Over £10,000 |
| Working in | UK |
| Currently | Not in scheme |
Exceptions
Don't Have to Re-Enrol
| Exception | Detail |
|---|---|
| Active members | Already in scheme |
| Opted out recently | Within 12 months |
| Given notice | To leave scheme |
| Being re-enrolled | Unnecessarily |
12-Month Rule
| If Opted Out | Within |
|---|---|
| 12 months before | Re-enrolment date |
| Don't re-enrol | Them |
| Wait until | Next re-enrolment |
The Re-Enrolment Process
Step by Step
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Choose re-enrolment date |
| 2 | Assess all workers |
| 3 | Identify who to re-enrol |
| 4 | Re-enrol eligible workers |
| 5 | Issue communications |
| 6 | Start contributions |
| 7 | Complete re-declaration |
Timeline
| Task | When |
|---|---|
| Choose date | In advance |
| Assess workers | On chosen date |
| Re-enrol | Promptly |
| Re-declaration | Within 5 months |
Communications
To Re-Enrolled Workers
| Must Tell Them | About |
|---|---|
| They've been re-enrolled | Notification |
| Scheme details | Provider, benefits |
| Contributions | Their and yours |
| Opt-out rights | Can opt out again |
Letter Contents
| Include | Information |
|---|---|
| Re-enrolment date | When enrolled |
| Scheme name | Provider |
| Contribution rates | Both parties |
| Opt-out process | How to |
After Re-Enrolment
Workers Can
| Option | Detail |
|---|---|
| Stay enrolled | Continue |
| Opt out again | Within 1 month |
| Full refund | If opt out in window |
Re-Enrolment Cycle
| Event | Every |
|---|---|
| Re-enrolment date | 3 years |
| Opt-out possible | Each time |
| Continues | Indefinitely |
Re-Declaration of Compliance
What It Is
| Duty | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Confirm | Re-enrolment done |
| To Regulator | Online declaration |
| Within | 5 months |
| Of re-enrolment | Date |
What to Declare
| Confirm | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date chosen | Re-enrolment date |
| Workers assessed | Process followed |
| Eligible re-enrolled | Those required |
| Scheme details | As applicable |
Deadline
| Must Complete | By |
|---|---|
| Re-declaration | 5 months after |
| Your re-enrolment | Date |
| Online | Via TPR website |
Practical Considerations
Choosing Your Date
| Consider | Factor |
|---|---|
| Payroll timing | Convenient date |
| Admin capacity | When manageable |
| Window flexibility | Use it |
Multiple Employers
| If Group | Position |
|---|---|
| Each employer | Own re-enrolment |
| Different dates | May apply |
| Or align | If preferred |
Common Scenarios
Scenario 1: Long-Term Opt-Out
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Opted out 2021 | Not in scheme |
| Re-enrolment 2024 | Must assess |
| Still eligible | Re-enrol |
| Can opt out | Again |
Scenario 2: Recent Opt-Out
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Opted out March | This year |
| Re-enrolment June | Same year |
| Within 12 months | Don't re-enrol |
| Wait for | Next cycle |
Scenario 3: Now Ineligible
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Was eligible | When opted out |
| Now earns less | Under threshold |
| Not eligible | On re-enrolment date |
| Don't re-enrol | Non-eligible/entitled |
Record Keeping
What to Keep
| Record | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Re-enrolment date | Chosen date |
| Assessments | Who assessed |
| Re-enrolments | Who enrolled |
| Communications | Letters sent |
| Re-declaration | Submission |
How Long
| Duration | Period |
|---|---|
| 6 years | Minimum |
| Evidence | Of compliance |
Penalties
For Non-Compliance
| If Fail To | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Re-enrol | Fixed penalties |
| Re-declare | Escalating penalties |
| Keep records | Possible penalties |
Fixed Penalty
| Size | Amount |
|---|---|
| Varies | By employer size |
| Can escalate | If continued |
Summary
Key Points
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Every 3 years | Re-enrolment due |
| Re-assess workforce | All workers |
| Re-enrol eligible | Not in scheme |
| Re-declare | To regulator |
Timeline
| Task | When |
|---|---|
| Choose date | Within window |
| Assess and enrol | On date |
| Re-declaration | Within 5 months |
| Next cycle | 3 years later |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is re-enrolment?
- Re-enrolment is the employer duty to assess and re-enrol eligible workers every three years, including those who previously opted out. It gives workers another chance to join the pension scheme with employer contributions.
- When is my re-enrolment date?
- Your re-enrolment date falls on the third anniversary of your staging date (or previous re-enrolment date). You can choose a date within a window either side of this anniversary. The Pensions Regulator will remind you.
- Do I have to re-enrol everyone?
- You must assess all workers and re-enrol those who are eligible jobholders on your chosen re-enrolment date. This includes those who opted out before. Some exceptions apply for workers who opted out within 12 months.