If you’re working part time, you shouldn’t be treated any differently than a full-time employee doing the same job.
Automatic enrolment
Working part-time doesn’t mean that you should be treated any differently than someone doing the same job who works full-time.
This means that you have the same rights to join your employer’s workplace pension scheme or to be automatically enrolled, if you’re eligible.
Find out more in our guide How pension auto-enrolment works
Defined benefit pension scheme
If you’re a member of a defined benefit pension scheme (including a ‘final salary’ or ‘career average’ pension), you’ll be paid a retirement income based on your salary and how long you’ve worked for your employer.
You’ll usually make contributions to the pension based on your pensionable earnings.
What are pensionable earnings?
Pensionable earnings just means how much of your salary your pension is based on.
Some schemes will base them on a percentage of your salary, and might not include bonuses or overtime.
Defined contribution pension scheme
If you’re a member of a defined contribution pension scheme, you’ll build up a pension pot that can provide you with a retirement income. This is based on how much you and your employer contribute and how much this grows.
The contributions you make to the pension are based on your pensionable earnings.
Find out more in our guide Workplace pensions: how your employer’s pension scheme works
Your pension rights as a part-time worker
As your earnings as a part-time worker are likely to be lower than someone who works full time, what you get at retirement is also likely to be lower.
But, if you think you’re not receiving the same pension rights as a full-time employee who does the same job as you, you can make a claim for the rights you should have.
These rights include:
- being offered the chance to join your employer’s workplace pension scheme
- being automatically enrolled into your employer’s workplace pension scheme, if you’re eligible.
But before you make a claim, it’s a good idea to first discuss it with your employer or a trade union representative.
You have the right to get a written statement of reasons for the treatment from your employer. You’ll need to make the request in writing, and the employer must write back within 21 days.
If you’re not satisfied that the reason given was fair, you might be able to take a case to an employment tribunal.
Make a claim to an employment tribunalOpens in a new window on GOV.UK
Need more information on pensions?
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