How to restart worker contributions?

If any worker wants to restart their contributions, they can be enrolled again once they have been assessed.

The worker can request to re-start their contributions (opt-in request) by telling you in writing either by letter or email.

You will need to assess the worker based on their assessment date (the date you received the notice) as to whether they earn above the lower level of qualifying earnings and are therefore eligible to opt-in, or below the lower level of qualifying earnings and are therefore an entitled worker. Please see ‘What are the different enrolment types?’.

If the jobholder had opted in within a twelve-month period and ceased their contributions in that period, you can choose not to accept their request now. If they wish to join the scheme they would need to ask again at the end of the twelve-month period.

On the first day of the next pay reference period after you receive the opt-in notice, you must assess the worker to identify whether they are a jobholder on that date. If they are, then the first day of the pay reference period after receipt of the opt-in notice is the enrolment date. If you have closed off the payroll for that next pay reference period when you receive the opt-in notice, you must assess them on the first day of the second pay reference period. 

The Jobholder must be enrolled within six weeks of the assessment date by following the enrolment process, unless the jobholder has withdrawn notice in writing before the enrolment date. 

If the worker is assessed as a Jobholder and enrolled into the scheme, the jobholder has the right to opt out of the scheme, once enrolled. If you select enrolment type of Opt-in when you enrol the worker into Nest, Nest will send the worker information about opting out.

For an Entitled worker, it is not required to meet the qualifying or automatic enrolment criteria and you can choose whether you wish to make a contribution yourself. Once you have added the worker to Nest (How to enrol workers | Nest pensions) then you can pay personal contributions to Nest. 

You must continue to assess the worker in each pay reference period to track if their category changes and where automatic enrolment would be triggered if they become an eligible jobholder. 

After three years you’ll also need to re-enrol any workers who are eligible for auto enrolment but aren’t in a qualifying scheme. Please see How do I manage my three year re-enrolment duties? for more information.