Auto-enrolment and multiple pensions

How auto-enrolment works when employees have other pensions in Sage 50 Payroll Ireland. It covers exemptions, paused pensions, and switching schemes.

Auto-enrolment applies at employment level. NAERSA assesses each employment separately using payroll submissions. Sage 50 Payroll Ireland processes instructions sent by NAERSA. Employers don't decide enrolment or exemption.

• Private and company pensions: Exemption from auto-enrolment

What if an employee already has a company pension?

If pension deductions stop in Sage 50 Payroll Ireland, NAERSA treats that employment as without a pension. NAERSA can enrol the employee into My Future Fund for that employment.

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Can an employee have two pensions at once?

Yes. This can happen temporarily. An employee can contribute to a company pension and My Future Fund at the same time until NAERSA sends an instruction to stop auto-enrolment contributions.

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How does an employee move from My Future Fund to a company pension?

Add the employee to the company pension in Sage 50 Payroll Ireland. When pension contributions appear in payroll, NAERSA sends an auto-enrolment payroll notification (AEPN) instructing you to stop auto-enrolment contributions.

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What about private pensions outside payroll?

NAERSA can't detect pensions that don't appear in payroll submissions. NAERSA can enrol these employees. Employees manage opt-out or suspension through the employee portal.

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What if an employee has more than one job?

Pension activity in one employment does not exempt another employment. NAERSA assesses each job separately using payroll data for that employment.

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Bespoke auto-enrolment pension training

We fully support the upcoming auto-enrolment changes in our Payroll solutions, including employee enrolment, contributions, and compliance. To help you prepare, we offer bespoke training covering:

• Understanding the legislation and getting prepared
• Guide through implementation with hands-on, product-specific sessions

Want training tailored to your needs? Leave your details and we’ll get in touch.