Opting In

The following are some of the opting in rules applicable for the different worker types:

• A jobholder can request the employer and make arrangements to become an active member of an automatic enrolment scheme, with effect from the enrolment date by providing an ‘opt-in notice’ to the employer.

• An entitled worker can request the employer and make arrangements to become an active member of a pension scheme by providing a ‘joining notice’ to the employer.

• A non-eligible jobholder can opt in by providing a notice to the employer. They can request the employer to arrange for an active membership of an automatic enrolment scheme.

• An eligible jobholder who has been automatically enrolled, but subsequently opted out or ceased membership also can opt back into an automatic enrolment pension scheme.

• An eligible jobholder who was not automatically enrolled because they were a member of another qualifying scheme on their automatic enrolment date, but subsequently ceased membership of that scheme can also opt into an automatic enrolment scheme.

• An entitled worker can join a pension scheme by providing a notice to the employer. They can request the employer to arrange for an active membership of a pension scheme. The scheme that the employer chooses does not have to be an automatic enrolment scheme or even a qualifying scheme.

• A jobholder can opt into an automatic enrolment scheme, unless they are an:

  • Active member of another qualifying scheme with the employer,

  • Eligible jobholder for whom the employer has an automatic enrolment duty, or

  • Eligible jobholder for whom the employer has a re-enrolment duty.

Note:

If the opt-in notice is submitted within 12 months of a previous opt-in notice and the employee has subsequently stopped membership of the automatic enrolment scheme into which they were enrolled, the employee will not be considered for auto enrolment but will be considered for the voluntary opt-in.