What you’ll need to do if you haven’t set up your pension scheme on time
Tell The Pensions Regulator
If you haven’t already let The Pensions Regulator know that you’re late for your duties start date, you should contact them now – even if you’ve taken steps to rectify this.
It’s important to work with them if you haven’t completed your auto enrolment duties within the timescale you were given. Failure to let them know what’s happening could mean you’re more likely to receive fines and penalties.
Send Aviva the information about your backdated contributions
You’ll need to back pay the contributions that you’ve missed since your staging or duties start date. This means that the first payment file that you send us will need to include details of the payments that you’ve missed. To do this, you’ll need to work out the new contribution amount that you’ll be paying.
When you speak to The Pensions Regulator, please ask them what action they require you to take regarding the missing employee contributions. You will always be required to pay the missing employer contributions. If you usually pay 3% employer contributions (and 5% employee), you will have to pay 3% for each missing month. For example, if you set your scheme up in August and your duties started in January, you will need to pay the missing 24%. You would then pay 3% per month, as well as deducting and paying your employees' 5% (please see our page about tax relief if you choose an Aviva workplace pension).
Consider how this will affect the systems you use to run your pension scheme
Some compliance software will not work unless you use it from your duties start date. For example, our AME:Lite software won't work for employers who are late in setting up a pension.