Automatic enrolment only applies to workers aged 22 or over. But if you’re younger, as long as you’re earning £6,032 or more (in tax year 2018-19), you can still opt in and benefit from extra money from your employer.
Start early if you can
If you’re under the age of 22, you won’t be automatically enrolled into your employer’s workplace pension scheme along with your older colleagues.
But provided you earn £6,032 or more a year (tax year 2018-19), you have the right to opt in to the scheme.
If you do, your employer will have to contribute to your pension in the same way as for anyone who’s been automatically enrolled.
If you earn less than £6,032, your employer has to give you access to a pension to save into if you ask them to and has to make arrangements for you to join, but they’re not required to contribute to it.
Retirement is a long way off, but saving is a great habit to get into, and if you save into a workplace pension you’ll basically get extra money from your employer, as well as a boost from the government in the form of tax relief.
This article is provided by the Money Advice Service.
