On the go: The Pensions Regulator has warned employers against encouraging savers to opt out of auto-enrolment, as it relaxed its rules to allow them to cut some contributions without consultation.
The regulator published new guidance on Thursday, detailing how employers can meet their auto-enrolment duties as they continue to navigate the effects of the coronavirus crisis.
The watchdog said even though staff may choose to reduce their contribution levels or opt out of the pension scheme altogether, the employer must not encourage this and should continue to carry out its obligations under the existing pension scheme rules.
However, where an employer is paying above the minimum contribution rate of 3 per cent, it can choose to reduce this to the minimum level for furloughed staff without consultation, and TPR will not take any enforcement action. The same is not possible for non-furloughed staff.
Under existing rules, businesses that employ 50 or more workers would have to consult for 60 days before they are able to decrease contributions into a defined contribution scheme.
But because of the cash flow pressures being faced by some businesses due to the effects of the coronavirus, TPR said that in particular circumstances it will “not take enforcement action” where employers reduce contributions but do not follow the consultation rules.
TPR’s head of auto-enrolment, Joe Turner, said: “These are unprecedented times and we are acutely aware of the pressure employers are now under. While employers continue to have responsibilities, we are weaving in as much flexibility as possible to help them and protect savers.
“We are continually reviewing and updating our guidance to respond to the challenges as they unfold. Further guidance will be published shortly outlining, in more detail, what employers can expect from us in the weeks and months ahead.”
The temporary rules apply where the employer has furloughed staff for whom a claim is being made under the coronavirus job retention scheme, and will be restricted to the furlough period. Affected staff will have to be notified of the change and the effect it will have on their pension savings.
Steve Webb, partner at LCP, said: “Under the job retention scheme, employers are only reimbursed for the legal minimum level of pension contributions, and many employers will have been contributing more than this, leaving a funding gap.
“In normal circumstances, employers would have to spend a couple of months consulting about a reduction in contributions, but these are not normal circumstances. It seems proportionate to allow employers to reduce contributions just for furloughed staff and just for the length of the furlough.”
