How should I prepare for Auto-enrolment?

With pension auto-enrolment starting in January 2026, now is the time for employers to actively prepare for these major changes. The new system will see eligible employees automatically enrolled into a pension scheme, with contributions required from both employers and the state. To stay compliant and avoid last-minute stress our month-by-month guide below sets out the key actions and deadlines to help you stay ahead and ensure a smooth transition when auto-enrolment goes live.

 

Key dates you need to consider when preparing for Auto-Enrolment:

 

November 2025

 

1. Familiarise yourself

If you have not done so already you need to do a thorough audit of your workforce to determine who will be auto enrolled, what the cost will be to your business and whether you would like to make any changes such as getting employees into your company scheme before the scheme starts. Overall, you need to make sure that as an employer you understand your obligations.

 

2. Consult with staff

Ideally consultation in the form of conversations and emails with staff should start in November setting out what the scheme is, how it will work, who will be enrolled, what the opt out looks like- everything that staff need to know in advance of rollout.

3. Adjust payroll if required

If as the employer you are enrolling your staff in an alternative scheme to My Future Fund you will most likely need to act in November. Our information is that the lookback period to determine whether an employee needs to be auto enrolled or not will most likely be based on Novemeber’s payslip. If you don’t want staff to be auto enrolled and have other plans ideally you should aim to have this set up for Nov payroll.

 

 

December 2025

 

1. Set up a profile on the MyFutureFund Portal

When the MyFutureFund Portal opens for employers on 1st December you should set up a profile and payment method. 

2. Send notification of enrolment

Employers to send notification of enrolment in the scheme for those who are auto enrolled and for those who opt in. Once you have registered for the Portal you will be able to access template letters that have been issued by NAERSA. You can choose to use these template letters when sending notification or you can use your own letters as long as they provide the information required. 

3. Check your payroll software is ready

Most software providers will be launching the functionality within their software mid-December so you will need to access any training they offer or familiarise yourself/ your payroll team with how the software will handle auto-enrolment. 

 

January 2026

 

Run payroll as normal

From January 2026, you’ll continue to process your payroll as usual. The National Employment Savings Authority (NERSA) will then manage the collection of employee, employer, and State contributions, investing these funds on behalf of your employees.

 

Focus on your business and let us handle the payroll

Preparing for auto-enrolment is an important step for every employer, and while the new system is designed to make saving for retirement easier for employees, it can add extra layers of complexity for businesses. If managing payroll and pension contributions in-house is becoming time-consuming or confusing, outsourcing your payroll could be the simplest solution. At TaxAssist Accountants, we can take care of your payroll and auto-enrolment responsibilities, ensuring everything runs smoothly and in full compliance while you can focus on running your business with confidence.

 

Last updated: 5th November 2025