NEST — a defined contribution workplace pension scheme — was set up by the UK government to facilitate auto enrolment. As a ‘qualifying’ scheme, NEST can be used by any and all UK employers to make pension contributions.
Workers earning more each year than the government determined lower level, will be enrolled automatically in NEST if the employer doesn't have their own pension scheme. Lower earners can join, but must choose to opt in.
Members can transfer other Defined Contribution pensions they may have into their Nest scheme, should they wish, and are also free to transfer out to another pension scheme, providing they have stopped making contributions into the NEST account.
Although Auto Enrolment is compulsory, membership of NEST isn’t. NEST is, by design, a very simple scheme offering very few ‘bells and whistles’. Employers with more sophisticated requirements are free to consider establishing other types of workplace/occupational pension schemes.
1. Which type of scheme are you offering your staff?
Look at the advantages and disadvantages of other employer pension schemes when compared with the NEST scheme. Once you have analysed this, you can then decide which is more suitable for your organisation. A combination of two schemes may be the most appropriate approach initially, with staff eligibility for different schemes contributing to the solution; e.g. senior and employed staff being enrolled into an occupational scheme and contract staff being enrolled in NEST.
2. Work on your budgets
Employers have to contribute 3% of every employees’ ‘qualifying earnings’ to their occupational pension scheme, which will have a considerable impact on the costs of the business. If you offer a higher contribution rate, plan for the cost and long term implications of enrolling all staff on this basis. Look at whether you are making contributions on the full salary amount or band earnings. The key is to budget for these newly introduced measures, so that larger pension contributions do not make a sudden impact on costs. Employers may consider reviewing their total remuneration package in order to absorb these extra costs and looking at methods such as salary sacrifice as a cost-effective way of increasing pension contributions.
3. Review your current systems to make sure they can cope with the additional administration.
Can your payroll and HR systems cope with any extra administration? This is particularly relevant for any organisations that run both an occupational pension scheme and enrol some staff into the NEST system.
4. Effectively communicate these changes to your staff
Consider how you are communicating these changes to your staff. It is important to try and engage employees with their pension and get them to ‘buy-in’ to your company scheme. A pension scheme is viewed by many employees as an essential part of their benefits package, and when offered as part of the overall remuneration, can add tremendous perceived value to an organisation and the way it views its employees.
Organisations that provide pension schemes above the standard laid out by the government are likely to be a more attractive proposition for new and existing employees and demonstrate a commitment to their workforce.
Employers which offer schemes with contribution rates above the statutory minimum may be interested in applying for a pension quality mark to differentiate their scheme from others. (www.pensionqualitymark.org.uk)
Please contact us for further information and advice.
NEST IS REGULATED BY THE PENSIONS REGULATOR
A PENSION IS A LONG TERM INVESTMENT, THE FUND VALUE MAY FLUCTUATE AND CAN GO DOWN. YOUR EVENTUAL INCOME MAY DEPEND UPON THE SIZE OF THE FUND AT RETIREMENT, FUTURE INTEREST RATES AND TAX LEGISLATION.
INFORMATION IS BASED ON OUR CURRENT UNDERSTANDING OF TAXATION LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS. ANY LEVELS AND BASES OF, AND RELIEFS FROM TAXATION, ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
AUTO ENROLMENT ADVICE IS NOT REGULATED BY THE FINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY
“Fantastic financial guidance again by John. His assistance has proved invaluable in our house move. The clerical support was also great and nothing was too much trouble.”
“As always, excellent service from John. Faultless and always on hand to answer all of our questions and address any concerns we had. Thank you.”
“Many thanks John! I’ve really appreciated your availability outside of normal working hours.”
“I would highly recommend JWC Financial Solutions. Extremely professional and very helpful. Willing to go the extra mile. Thank you!”
“Thank you John. Very helpful, compassionate and professional.”
“John has handled all of our most important financial matters over many years and is a trusted friend. He always gives the most appropriate advice to match each given situation rather than just what someone may wish to hear.”
“I found John to be very helpful and conducted himself in a very professional manner. I would recommend his services to other friends and family.”
“Excellent service, listened to our needs and swiftly found us an appropriate mortgage.”
“I feel John Connor listened to what I required, acted fairly and established a good level of trust between us.”
“Excellent service – dealt with all queries promptly and efficiently.”
“Thank you for the beautiful roses and card delivered by hand to our new home! It was a lovely surprise and welcome! You have been very patient too over a process that seemed thwart with difficulty throughout. Thank you for all you have done in arranging the mortgage. Very best wishes.”
"We remain eternally grateful for the very valuable, sound advice and help you gave to us during one of the most stressful and traumatic periods of our lives – when we had to help our son in his efforts to secure a home. We always keeping you mind and we always recommend you. We wish you every success."
"Many thanks for sorting us out. You’ve been great!"
"Thank you for all your help, guidance and expertise. You have been a real help guiding us through the unknown. We are very grateful."
"I met John Connor - IFA to discuss the purchase of a property and the various mortgage options available to us. John was incredibly knowledgeable of the products available, listened and understood our financial situation, and offered us simplified advice that we could understand in order to make relevant choices. John even advised us on planning for the future with policies that did not cost extra money but meant our property and assets were safe. John was always available and went the extra mile on several occasions.
"We have always found the service John provides to be reliable, honest and professional.
He is extremely conscientious, hardworking and we would highly recommend him."
"We have used Mr John Connor's services over many years to arrange both mortgages and insurances for all of our family.
We have found him to be honest, efficient and able to find the best products to our needs.
We will certainly use him again and would happily recommend him to anyone.
Regards,
Bryn Davies"
Wealth, just like your health, must be carefully preserved. Your assets need to be protected against the potential threats of erosion by taxation, the effects of inflation and investment risks. ...
Read moreThis is an area of financial planning that is often overlooked. Traditionally, we have our buildings and contents insurance with our mortgage lenders, which may be uncompetitive ... ...
Read moreHealth Insurance is probably one of the most important types of insurance you can own. Without it, an illness or accident can have serious long-term financial implications for you... ...
Read moreThe main purpose of Life Assurance is to provide money for those people who may depend on you financially, in the event that something should happen to you. ...
Read moreYour mortgage is probably the largest financial transaction and commitment you are likely to undertake. Surely then you should seek mortgage advice which is individually tailored ... ...
Read moreWhen you retire you still need food and shelter as an absolute minimum, but of course you will want to maintain the lifestyle to which you have become accustomed ... ...
Read moreWhen someone talks about savings and saving money, it could be referring to a piggy bank or a high interest deposit account. Savings are effectively cash or cash... ...
Read moreProfessional Financial Planning is the process which aims to help you realise your ambitions - whatever they may be. As professional financial advisers we can help you make... ...
Read moreAll businesses are exposed to risks in their day-to-day operations. Without business insurance cover to provide protection against some of these risks, businesses would find... ...
Read moreIf you're over the age of 55, equity release offers you a way to use the value of your home to raise money. To provide an additional income To provide lifetime gifts to relatives ...
Read moreCONTACT US
JWC Financial Solutions
1 Hagley Mews
Hall Drive
Hagley
Worcestershire
DY9 9LQ
T: 08435 070097, 07730 070097 or 01384 660097
Email Us
Registered Office: Hartle Croft, 20 Hartle Lane, Belbroughton, Worcestershire, DY9 9TJ
Registration Number: 08317734
Registered in England
JWC Financial Solutions Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. JWC Financial Solutions Ltd is entered on the Financial Services Register (www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 649801.
The guidance provided within this website is subject to the UK regulatory regime and is therefore primarily targeted at consumers based in the UK.
A summary of our internal complaints handling procedures for the reasonable and prompt handling of complaints is available on request and if you cannot settle your complaint with us, you may be entitled to refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service at www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk or by contacting them on 0800 0234 567.
© Copyright 2024 - WEBPRO Adviser - All Rights Reserved