Pensions auto enrolment - Frequently Asked Questions

1. If I opt out or stop making payments, can I re-join a workplace pension scheme at a later date?

Yes, you can re-join a workplace pension scheme. To do so, contact Capita Employee Benefitsin writing by sending a letter, which has to be signed by you. Or if sending it electronically, it has to contain the phrase "I confirm I personally submitted this notice to join a workplace pension scheme". The contact details are:

Hanson Pension Team
Hartshead House
2 Cutlers Gate
Sheffield
S4 7TL

Email: Hanson@capita.co.uk

Telephone: 08456 000 591

To be an Enhanced Member of the Hanson Industrial Pension Scheme you will have to complete the Application Form

Or contact from HR Services at Chipping Sodbury, whose contact details are:

HR Services
The Ridge
Chipping Sodbury
Bristol
BS37 6AY

Email: ukhr.adminteam@hanson.com

Telephone: 01454 316000

You can re-join only once in any 12 month period.

2. I understand that this Auto-Enrolment process will repeat. Is this correct?

Anyone who opts out or stops making payments will be automatically enrolled back into a pension scheme at a later date (usually every three years). This is because your circumstances may have changed and it may be the right time for you to start saving. We will contact you when this happens, and you can opt out if it's still not right for you.

3. I am aged 63 and while continuing to work at Hanson UK, have recently ceased contributing to the Hanson Industrial Pension Scheme. I have now started to draw own my pension from the scheme so am now a "Pensioner Member". Do you still have to auto-enrol me?

The government's rules on this are very clear. They require employers to enrol their workers into a workplace pension scheme where those workers aren't currently contributing to a scheme, and who;

earn over £10,000 a year (£833 a month or £192 per week);
are aged 22 or over; and
are under State Pension age.

In the circumstances you describe Hanson UK will have to auto-enrol you into HIPS. However you will retain the right to "opt-Out" if you so wish.

4. Where can I get further information?

If you have any questions about the pension scheme, your enrolment or contribution levels, contact Capita Employee Benefits at:

Hanson Pension Team
Hartshead House
2 Cutlers Gate
Sheffield
S4 7TL

Email: Hanson@capita.co.uk

Telephone: 08456 000591

The booklet that supports the Hanson Industrial Pension Scheme contains answers to the more frequently asked questions, including:

• How much will I get from my workplace pension when I retire?
• Will it be enough?
• Are pensions safe?
• What if I move jobs?

Hanson Industrial Pension Scheme booklet

For information on pensions and saving for later life visit: 

www.direct.gov.uk/workplacepension

5. Will the amounts paid into my pension change?

Yes, the amounts will automatically increase or decrease accordingly if your earnings go up or down.

Also, we are going to increase the amounts being paid into your pension over the next few years. This is to meet the government's minimum standards and we will brief you closer to the time. The government's minimum contribution standards are:

Overtime and bonus payments are generally included for the purposes of calculating the contributions. But please note that other factors might affect their inclusion. For example, if your earnings are close to one of the higher tax band levels.

6. What if I want to pay more into my pension pot?

You can increase the amount you put in if you want by applying to become an enhanced member of the pension scheme. The amount contributed by the government in the form of tax relief would also increase. The employer contribution would also increase up to a maximum of 10%.

7. What is tax relief?

The government takes tax off your income. You can see this on your payslip. Tax relief means some of your money that would have gone to the government as tax now goes into your pension instead.

In our pension scheme, the tax relief goes into your pension through the 'net pay arrangement'.

This means you don't need to do anything to get the tax relief paid into your pension. It will happen automatically.

Information on how 'net pay' works can be found here:

www.direct.gov.uk/workplacepensiontaxrelief