State Pension Age and Auto-Enrolment
How does State Pension age affect auto-enrolment? Understand the upper age limit for eligible jobholders and pension access ages.
Last updated: 30 January 2025
State Pension age affects auto-enrolment eligibility and pension access.
State Pension Age
Current SPA
| Position | Detail |
|---|---|
| Currently | 66 |
| For everyone | Men and women |
| As of | 2020 equalisation |
Future Changes
| Period | SPA |
|---|---|
| Now | 66 |
| 2026-2028 | Rising to 67 |
| 2040s | Rising to 68 |
| May change | Further reviews |
Auto-Enrolment Age Band
Eligible Jobholder Range
| Age | Position |
|---|---|
| Under 22 | Not eligible |
| 22 to SPA | Eligible if earning |
| Over SPA | Entitled worker |
Why 22 to SPA
| Reason | Detail |
|---|---|
| Working age | Core earners |
| Building pension | Makes sense |
| Government policy | Targeting savings |
Over State Pension Age
Classification
| If Over SPA | Position |
|---|---|
| Entitled worker | Category |
| Can join | Scheme |
| No employer duty | To contribute |
| Must allow | Joining |
Rights
| Right | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ask to join | Scheme |
| Employer processes | Request |
| No employer contribution | Required |
| Employee contributes | Only |
Approaching SPA
Assessment Continues
| Until | Position |
|---|---|
| Day before SPA | Still eligible |
| Reach SPA | Category changes |
| From SPA | Entitled worker |
Practical Impact
| Change At SPA | Effect |
|---|---|
| No more auto-enrolment | Duty ends |
| Can stay enrolled | If already in |
| Contributions | Can continue |
| Employer contributions | May continue voluntarily |
Already Enrolled at SPA
Membership Continues
| Position | Detail |
|---|---|
| Stays in scheme | Usually |
| Contributions continue | If employed |
| Employer may continue | Contributing |
| Scheme rules | Apply |
No Automatic Exit
| Reaching SPA | Does Not |
|---|---|
| End membership | Automatically |
| Stop contributions | Usually |
| Force retirement | Cannot |
Pension Access Ages
Workplace Pension Access
| Current | Age |
|---|---|
| Minimum access | 55 |
| Rising to | 57 in 2028 |
| Earlier than | SPA |
| Your choice | When to access |
State Pension Access
| Position | Detail |
|---|---|
| At SPA | State pension starts |
| Currently | 66 |
| Rising | In stages |
| Automatic | Claim needed |
Different Ages Explained
Key Ages
| Age | Significance |
|---|---|
| 22 | Auto-enrolment lower limit |
| 55/57 | Workplace pension access |
| 66+ | State Pension age |
| 75 | Upper limit some schemes |
Why Different
| Reason | Detail |
|---|---|
| Policy decisions | Different purposes |
| Flexibility | Access earlier |
| State pension | Government pays |
| Workplace | Own savings |
Checking Your SPA
How to Find Out
| Method | Detail |
|---|---|
| Gov.uk calculator | Online tool |
| Enter birth date | Get your SPA |
| May change | Government reviews |
Born After 1960
| Birth Date | SPA |
|---|---|
| 1960 | 66 |
| 1961-1977 | 67 |
| After 1977 | 68 (planned) |
Employer Duties by Age
Under 22
| Duty | Position |
|---|---|
| Not eligible jobholder | For auto-enrolment |
| May be non-eligible | Or entitled |
| Opt-in rights | If earning enough |
| Joining rights | If earning less |
22 to SPA
| Duty | Position |
|---|---|
| Auto-enrol if | Earning £10,000+ |
| Full duties | Apply |
| Contribute | Minimum 3% |
Over SPA
| Duty | Position |
|---|---|
| Process joining | If requested |
| No contribution duty | Required |
| Allow membership | Cannot refuse |
Continuing Work Past SPA
Common Now
| Position | Detail |
|---|---|
| Many work | Past SPA |
| No retirement age | For most |
| Employment rights | Continue |
| Pension choices | Available |
Pension Options
| Option | Detail |
|---|---|
| Keep contributing | To workplace pension |
| Draw and contribute | Sometimes possible |
| Take state pension | Claim when ready |
| Defer state pension | For higher amount |
Age Discrimination
Cannot Refuse
| If Over SPA | Position |
|---|---|
| Cannot refuse | Scheme membership |
| If they request | To join |
| Entitled worker | Rights |
| Age discrimination | If refused |
Scheme Limits
| Some Schemes | Have |
|---|---|
| Upper age limits | 74/75 |
| Cannot join | After |
| Check scheme | Rules |
Tax Relief
Contribution Limits
| Age | Tax Relief |
|---|---|
| Under 75 | Full relief |
| 75+ | No relief usually |
| Earnings basis | 100% of earnings |
Annual Allowance
| Position | Detail |
|---|---|
| £60,000 | Or 100% earnings |
| Same | At any age |
| Until 75 | Tax advantages |
Summary
Key Points
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| 22 to SPA | Eligible band |
| SPA currently | 66 |
| Over SPA | Entitled worker |
| Access pension | From 55/57 |
For Employers
| Age Band | Duty |
|---|---|
| Under 22 | No auto-enrolment |
| 22 to SPA | Full duties |
| Over SPA | Process joining requests |
Related answers
Eligible Jobholders for Auto-Enrolment
Who is an eligible jobholder for pension auto-enrolment? Understand the criteria for automatic pension enrolment.
Entitled Workers
What is an entitled worker for pension auto-enrolment? Understand rights for low-earning workers to join workplace pensions.
Workforce Assessment for Auto-Enrolment
How do you assess workers for pension auto-enrolment? Understand the process of categorising your workforce.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is State Pension age for auto-enrolment?
- State Pension age (SPA) is the upper age limit for being an eligible jobholder. Workers aged 22 to SPA who earn over £10,000 must be auto-enrolled. Currently SPA is 66, rising to 67 between 2026-2028, and to 68 in the 2040s.
- Can workers over State Pension age join workplace pensions?
- Yes. Workers over SPA are 'entitled workers' and can ask to join the scheme. The employer doesn't have to contribute for them but must allow them to join if requested. Some schemes have their own upper age limits.
- When can I access my workplace pension?
- You can currently access workplace pensions from age 55 (rising to 57 in 2028). This is different from State Pension age. You don't have to wait until SPA to access your workplace pension pot.