Automatic enrolment is the government's way of helping more people save for retirement. Re-enrolment is the process employers repeat every 3 years to check whether certain workers who left their workplace pension must be put back into it.
This guide explains who to assess, when to do it and what happens after workers have been re-enrolled.
Who do I need to re-enrol?
On your chosen re-enrolment date, you must assess staff who have opted out or ceased active membership of your qualifying pension scheme, or who are paying contributions below the legal minimum.
A worker will usually need to be re-enrolled if, on that date, they:
- Are aged between 22 and State Pension age.
- Earn more than the automatic enrolment trigger, which is £10,000 a year for 2026–27 and is adjusted for their pay period.
- Left the scheme or reduced their contributions below the regulatory minimum more than 12 months before the re-enrolment date.
There are exceptions, so check the worker's circumstances and current guidance before deciding not to re-enrol them. Information around exemptions can be found on The Pension Regular's website.
When do I need to re-enrol them?
Your first re-enrolment date falls within a 6-month window that starts 3 months before the third anniversary of your duties start date and ends 3 months after it. For later cycles, the window is based on the third anniversary of your previous re-enrolment date.
For example, if the relevant anniversary is 1 April 2027, you can choose a re-enrolment date from 1 January 2027 to 30 June 2027.
You use the same chosen date to assess all affected workers. Postponement cannot be used for re-enrolment.
What if a worker still does not want a pension?
The worker must first be re-enrolled if the rules require it. They can then opt out again by following the pension provider's process during the one-month opt-out period.
If they leave after the opt-out period, this is normally treated as ceasing active membership and contributions already paid are not usually refunded. The employer must not encourage or pressure anyone to opt out.
Do I need to write to my staff?
Yes. You must write to each worker you re-enrol within 6 weeks of the re-enrolment date. The letter should explain what has happened, how it affects them and their right to opt out.
Keep a copy or record of the communication as evidence that you completed this duty.
What else do I need to do?
Every employer must submit a re-declaration of compliance to The Pensions Regulator, even if no workers need to be re-enrolled.
The deadline is normally 5 months after the third anniversary of your duties start date, or 5 months after the third anniversary of your previous re-enrolment date for later cycles. Choosing a later re-enrolment date does not move this deadline.
What is the re-declaration of compliance?
The re-declaration is an online form confirming that you have completed your re-enrolment duties. You will need details about:
- The employer and the person completing the form.
- The workplace pension scheme.
- Your chosen re-enrolment date.
- The number of staff employed and how many were re-enrolled.
The employer remains legally responsible for making sure the information is correct and submitted on time, even if a payroll provider or adviser completes it.
Where can I submit it?
You can submit the re-declaration of compliance online after you have assessed your staff and completed any re-enrolment that is due.
Need help with re-enrolment?
Re-enrolment dates can be easy to miss, particularly when no workers currently contribute to the pension. Contact us if you would like help completing the process, or use our Auto Enrolment Helper to assess your staff.