Use this checklist to verify compliance

Work through each section below to confirm your auto-enrolment setup meets The Pensions Regulator requirements. If you answer 'no' to any item, take action before your declaration of compliance deadline.

Auto-enrolment employer duties

Legal obligations for employers regarding workplace pensions. Pure data reference.

Duty 1: Assess your staff: Determine who is eligible (age 22-66, earning £10,000+)
Duty 2: Choose a pension scheme: Select a qualifying workplace pension scheme
Duty 3: Auto-enrol eligible workers: Enrol within 6 weeks of eligibility
Duty 4: Pay contributions: Minimum 3% employer + 5% employee
Duty 5: Declare compliance: Complete declaration within 5 months of staging date

Declare compliance

1

You have chosen a qualifying pension scheme
2

Your scheme is set up and ready to receive contributions
3

You know your scheme name, reference number, and provider details
4

Your payroll software can calculate and submit pension contributions

1

You have assessed every worker against the three categories (eligible jobholder, non-eligible jobholder, entitled worker)
2

You know which workers must be auto-enrolled
3

You have a process to assess new starters on their first day
4

You have a process to re-assess workers when their pay changes

1

All eligible jobholders have been enrolled in your pension scheme
2

You are deducting at least 5% employee contribution from qualifying earnings
3

You are paying at least 3% employer contribution on qualifying earnings
4

Contributions are paid to your scheme by the 22nd of the following month (or 19th if by cheque)
5

You have submitted a contribution schedule to your pension provider

1

Eligible jobholders received an enrolment letter within 6 weeks of their enrolment date
2

Non-eligible jobholders received a letter explaining their right to opt in
3

Entitled workers received a letter explaining their right to join
4

Any postponement notices were sent within 6 weeks and one day

1

You have a process to handle opt-out notices within the 1-month window
2

Opt-out refunds are processed within 1 month of receiving the opt-out notice
3

You are not encouraging or inducing workers to opt out

1

You are keeping records of all assessments, enrolments, opt-outs, and contributions
2

Records will be retained for at least 6 years
3

You have completed (or plan to complete) your declaration of compliance within 5 months
4

You have noted your 3-year re-enrolment date in your calendar

Declaration of compliance with TPR

The declaration of compliance is a legal requirement confirming you have met your auto-enrolment duties. You must complete it online with The Pensions Regulator within 5 months of your duties start date.

Deadline: Within 5 months of duties start date
How to declare: Online via The Pensions Regulator website
Penalty for missing deadline: £400 fixed penalty notice
Information required: PAYE reference, pension scheme details, number of staff assessed, duties start date
Re-declaration: Required every 3 years alongside re-enrolment

Complete your declaration of compliance

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Use this checklist to verify compliance

You have chosen a qualifying pension scheme

Your scheme is set up and ready to receive contributions

You know your scheme name, reference number, and provider details

Your payroll software can calculate and submit pension contributions

You have assessed every worker against the three categories (eligible jobholder, non-eligible jobholder, entitled worker)

You know which workers must be auto-enrolled

You have a process to assess new starters on their first day

You have a process to re-assess workers when their pay changes

All eligible jobholders have been enrolled in your pension scheme

You are deducting at least 5% employee contribution from qualifying earnings

You are paying at least 3% employer contribution on qualifying earnings

Contributions are paid to your scheme by the 22nd of the following month (or 19th if by cheque)

You have submitted a contribution schedule to your pension provider

Eligible jobholders received an enrolment letter within 6 weeks of their enrolment date

Non-eligible jobholders received a letter explaining their right to opt in

Entitled workers received a letter explaining their right to join

Any postponement notices were sent within 6 weeks and one day

You have a process to handle opt-out notices within the 1-month window

Opt-out refunds are processed within 1 month of receiving the opt-out notice

You are not encouraging or inducing workers to opt out

You are keeping records of all assessments, enrolments, opt-outs, and contributions

Records will be retained for at least 6 years

You have completed (or plan to complete) your declaration of compliance within 5 months

You have noted your 3-year re-enrolment date in your calendar

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Use this checklist to verify compliance

You have chosen a qualifying pension scheme

Your scheme is set up and ready to receive contributions

You know your scheme name, reference number, and provider details

Your payroll software can calculate and submit pension contributions

You have assessed every worker against the three categories (eligible jobholder, non-eligible jobholder, entitled worker)

You know which workers must be auto-enrolled

You have a process to assess new starters on their first day

You have a process to re-assess workers when their pay changes

All eligible jobholders have been enrolled in your pension scheme

You are deducting at least 5% employee contribution from qualifying earnings

You are paying at least 3% employer contribution on qualifying earnings

Contributions are paid to your scheme by the 22nd of the following month (or 19th if by cheque)

You have submitted a contribution schedule to your pension provider

Eligible jobholders received an enrolment letter within 6 weeks of their enrolment date

Non-eligible jobholders received a letter explaining their right to opt in

Entitled workers received a letter explaining their right to join

Any postponement notices were sent within 6 weeks and one day

You have a process to handle opt-out notices within the 1-month window

Opt-out refunds are processed within 1 month of receiving the opt-out notice

You are not encouraging or inducing workers to opt out

You are keeping records of all assessments, enrolments, opt-outs, and contributions

Records will be retained for at least 6 years

You have completed (or plan to complete) your declaration of compliance within 5 months

You have noted your 3-year re-enrolment date in your calendar