The law on workplace pensions has changed. Under the Pensions Act 2008, every employer in the UK must put certain staff into a pension scheme and contribute towards it. This is called 'automatic enrolment'.

Whether you’re a builder, an architect or employ a personal care assistant, if you employ at least one person you are an employer and you have certain legal duties.

The 'What is auto-enrolment?' series of articles will take you through 5 steps to help you learn the basics about your workplace pension duties and what you need to do as an employer.

Step 1. First things first: find out your staging date

Your staging date is set in law as of 1 April 2012 and is the date your automatic enrolment duties come into effect for you. You must be prepared for this date. You'll need your PAYE Reference to find out your staging date.

Your PAYE Reference can be found on letters you have received from The Pensions Regulator about automatic enrolment.

Alternatively, use this link to visit The Pensions Regulators website.

Keep an eye out for the next article in the series 'Step 2: you'll need a 'qualifying pension scheme''

Click here to download your free checklist of everything you need to do to before, at and after your staging date.

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