Step 1. Choose a pension scheme

You should do this as soon as you can as it can take some time to complete.

You'll need to choose a pension scheme that is set up for automatic enrolment. You and your staff will pay money into this scheme to help your staff save for their retirement.

You'll need to find a scheme yourself or get help from your accountant or a financial adviser.

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Find a scheme yourself

You should look at different schemes before you decide which is suitable for you and your staff.

The following have told us they are open to small employers:

• Collegia Pension
• Creative Pension Trust
• Cushon Master Trust
• The Lewis Workplace Pension Trust
• National Employment Savings Trust (NEST)
• NOW: Pensions
• Penfold Auto Enrolment Workplace Pension Scheme
• The People’s Pension
• Smart Pension Master Trust
• Standard Life Workplace Pension
• True Potential Investments

There are a number of things you should check before you choose a pension scheme. This includes whether it will accept all your staff, how much it will cost, whether it uses the best tax relief method for your staff and whether it will work with your payroll. Find more information on how to choose a pension scheme.

Get help from an adviser

If you have an accountant, they may be able to help you find a scheme or a financial adviser that can help.

You can also use the MoneyHelper retirement advisor directory, which contains advisers who can help you choose a pension scheme for automatic enrolment.

To check if an adviser is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, search the FCA register.

* Please note that there are many other pension schemes available that aren't listed on this website. There may also be other ways for schemes to demonstrate to employers that their scheme is well run.

We cannot recommend or endorse any particular pension scheme or any organisation. Inclusion of a scheme or mention of any organisation on this website does not guarantee their suitability. These web pages are provided for information and guidance only.

What's next?

Now that you've chosen a pension scheme, you must put your staff into it. The next step will help you to do this.

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< I'm an employer who has to provide a pension

Step 2. Work out who you need to put into a pension scheme

New: Duties timeline

We’ve created a new duties timeline that helps you work out what duties you need to do and by when. Have your duties start date* handy.

*the date your first member of staff started work.

Supporting resources

• Understanding your costs
• Check your payroll process
• What to look for in a pension scheme
• Making contributions to your pension scheme
• Update your contact details and sign up for relevant email alerts