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Coming Soon

You’ll soon have access to the Nest employer portal with a new look and feel. Our employer portal will have a refreshed look and layout, but functionality will stay the same. Some buttons may be in different places, but the steps you follow won’t change so just keep using the portal as normal. It's the first of several steps we're taking to improve how you interact with Nest, with new functionality coming in the next few months so keep an eye out for further communications


How to report an issue

Our team has tested it thoroughly, but if something doesn’t work as you expect, let us know straight away so we can fix it quickly. You can get in touch by webchat or support@nestpensions.org.uk or call us on 0300 020 0393, from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Sunday – and one of our team will be happy to help.

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Your legal duties

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We want employers like you to feel confident in understanding and following auto enrolment legislation, so we break it down and make it easy for you.

The legal background

Employers in the UK have to meet workplace pension requirements under the Pensions Act 2008. This includes automatically enrolling certain staff into a workplace pension and contributing towards their retirement.

The Pensions Regulator (TPR) is responsible for making sure that employers meet their duties.

Does it apply to every employer?

If you’re a UK employer that employs one or more workers, then the legislation applies to you.

What your legal duties are

Your duties start on the day your first employee begins working for you. You then need to set up your pension and enrol certain workers within six weeks of your duties starting.

Here’s an overview of what you need to do, and when you need to do it:

Set up a workplace pension scheme

You have to choose a pension scheme that meets the auto enrolment criteria. TPR can help you with this.

Nest is a qualifying scheme – this means you can use us as your auto enrolment workplace pension. See why over one million employers have chosen to set up with Nest.

Info icon When do I have to do this?

As soon as you can and within six weeks of your duties starting. This will make sure you have enough time to put the right payroll processes and systems in place.

Assess your workers

As a minimum, you have to assess all your workers and automatically enrol those who are eligible into your workplace pension. To find out if a worker’s eligible, you have to check their age and earnings. We’re here to help you understand who you need to enrol.

Info icon When do I have to do this?

You should do this on the day your duties start. You can push back the date you need to assess your workers by up to three months by choosing to use postponement.

Decide how much you’ll contribute

The legal minimum contribution for eligible workers is 8% of their qualifying earnings. You have to pay at least 3% of this. You can pay more if you want to. If you just pay the minimum then your workers must contribute the rest, to make it up to 8%. A worker will get tax relief from the government on their contribution, if they’re eligible.

We can help you understand more about contribution levels, tax relief and qualifying earnings.

Info icon When do I have to do this?

As soon as you can and before you start deducting contributions.

Enrol your workers and deduct contributions

You should now enrol your eligible workers – this will include deducting contributions through payroll and paying these to Nest.

Info icon When do I have to do this?

You have to start deducting contributions on the first payday after your duties begin. You must enrol your workers within six weeks of your start date. If you’re using postponement, you can delay these duties.

Inform your workers

You have to give your workers some specific information about their pension scheme. Our communication toolkit can help you work out what you need to send.

Info icon When do I have to do this?

Within six weeks of your duties starting.

Tell The Pensions Regulator

You have to complete a declaration to let TPR know that you’re meeting your duties.

Info icon When do I have to do this?

Within five months of your duties starting.

Manage your ongoing duties

Auto enrolment isn’t a one-off process. You need to monitor every worker’s age and salary to check if they’re eligible to leave your workplace pension.

We’ve put together more information about what’s required of you.

What happens if I don’t complete my duties?

If you ignore your duties you’ll face enforcement action from TPR. This could include: 

  • compliance notices
  • fines 
  • civil court action if you don’t pay your fines
  • prosecution

If you’re late meeting any of your duties you should tell TPR straight away. TPR can offer guidance and support that can help you put things right.

Related content

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Understand which workers qualify

See how you check which workers you must automatically enrol into your workplace pension.

Assessing your workers

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Workplace pension schemes explained

Understand how workplace pension schemes work and what auto enrolment means for you and your workers.

Learn the basics