Pensions Auto-Enrolment

From 1 April 2013 the UEA will be required by law to automatically enrol all ‘eligible jobholders’ into a workplace pension scheme if they are not already in one. 

An eligible job holder is any member of staff that meets all of the following criteria:

·         aged 22 or over, but below the State Pension Age

·         has earnings in any month that exceed £676 (in the tax year 2012/13)

·         ordinarily works in the UK

·         is not a contributing member of one of the pension schemes supported by the University (USS/UEASSS/NHSPS)

Previously you may have opted-out of a pension scheme offered by UEA but if you are an ‘eligible jobholder’ (under the legislation), the University is required to automatically bring you into the Universities Superannuation Scheme Career Revalued Benefits section (USS CRB) from 1 April 2013.

All staff affected by the new legislation will be advised on how they may be impacted by the changes and what options are available to them.  Until then you do not need to take any action in respect of auto-enrolment.  A FAQs document is available which will answer most of the questions you may have on these changes and you can get further information and assistance by contacting the Payroll and Pensions Office via email: payroll@uea.ac.uk or by telephoning x2676.  It is difficult to predict the level of enquiries we may receive and so please leave a voicemail message if it isn’t possible to get through on this number.

For more information on the USS scheme (CRB section) go to: http://www.uss.co.uk/SchemeGuide/CareerRevaluedBenefitssection/Pages/default.aspx