Opting Out

Ongoing membership of the scheme is not compulsory for a jobholder. When a jobholder has been automatically enrolled, or enrolled as a result of an opt-in request, they can choose to opt out of a pension scheme.

‘Opt out’ refers to the provision under the law which allows an employee to undo an active membership. It will be considered that the worker had never been a member of a scheme. Opting out can be done only within a specific time period, known as the ‘opt-out period’. The opt-out period varies between the different pension schemes.

Eligible jobholders may choose to opt out after they have been automatically enrolled. Non-eligible jobholders who have opted in may choose to opt out after they have been enrolled.

Workers who have been enrolled under contractual enrolment and entitled workers who requested to be opted in do not have the right to choose to opt out. If they want to leave the scheme, they must cease membership in accordance with the scheme’s rules.