Automatic enrolment only applies to workers aged 22 or over. But if you’re younger – and earning £6,240 or more (in tax year 2024/25) – you can still opt in and benefit from extra money from your employer.
What’s in this guide
Start early if you can
If you’re under the age of 22, you won’t be automatically enrolled into your employer’s workplace pension scheme along with your older colleagues.
But if you earn £6,240 or more a year (tax year 2024/25), you have the right to opt in to the scheme.
If you opt in, you’ll be entitled to the minimum level of employer contributions.
If you earn less than £6,240 you can ask your employer to give you access to a pension to save into. They have to do this – and to arrange for you to join. But they don’t have to contribute to it.
Retirement is a long way off, but saving is a great habit to get into. And if you save into a workplace pension, you could get extra money from your employer, as well as a boost from the government in the form of tax relief.
Use our workplace pension contribution calculator
Find out how much you and your employer will pay into your pension under automatic enrolment with our workplace pension contribution calculator.
You can find out more about workplace pensions in our guide Joining a workplace pension scheme
Need more information on pensions?
Call our helpline free on 0800 011 3797 or use our webchatOpens in a new window. One of our pension specialists will be happy to answer your questions.
Our help is impartial and free to use, whether that’s online or over the phone.
Opening times: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Closed on bank holidays.
