Smart Pensions taking money even though I opted out

[Tyersal]

I was advised by my employer this week that smart pensions will be auto enrolling me this pay day and taking 5% of my salary. This is in spite of the fact I opted out three years ago and my employer pay into my private pension. I have to opt out again and they will pay it back next month. Apparently it is done to check that the company are adhering to the pension regulations.

This is annoying as my car tax is also due to be paid this month, so not only will I have to pay £145 for that but I will be down an extra 5% of my salary too. I am lucky in that whilst this is annoying its not the end of the world and just means not putting money in savings this month and saving extra when I get the money back. A few years ago it would have been a different story for me though and I'm sure it is for many others.

AIBU thinking that whilst the scheme was set up to help people not get into financial difficulties in later life this could potentially cause them to get into difficulties short term now?

you should have been advised in time to cancel before anything was taken

@RB68 I thought that too. I messaged smart Pensions who told me if I had a problem to contact the regulator and that that's the way it was

That doesn't happen at my work, are you sure they are giving you correct information? It isn't with Smart pensions so might be specific to them but it sounds a strange way to do it.

Hmmm maybe our accounts have got it wrong I'll call the pension people. There are only a few of us who opted out

Maybe or accounts department has got it wrong I'll call the pension people tomorrow. There are only a few of us who opted out

This link says your employer should check with you every 3 years not that they should take contributions, maybe someone in your payroll department has misunderstood. Were you asked?

support.autoenrolment.co.uk/en/articles/2964900-leaving-your-pension-scheme-if-you-ve-been-automatically-enrolled

No your employer is correct unfortunately, you have to re enrol anyone eligible every three years.

Thanks for the replies. That link says they should check every three years not that they should re-enrole me.

The person that thinks I'm being unreasonable, why am I?

It's auto enrolment, companies have to automatically enrol anyone eligible every three years, you then get the money back the following month if you opt out again.

Personally I think you ate being unreasonable to not pay into a pension, I know its hard but it will be harder living off £800 a month when you retire but YANBU to be annoyed that they've automatically re-enrolled you. I thought they just need to check if you wanted enrolling. Not 100% sure though

I'm an employer & use Smart Pension.

The regulator states that every person who has opted out, must reconfirm that every 3 years.

You will have been advised about this when you opted out, if you did it on their online Portal.

Yup your employer has to deduct the money - its annoying for them too believe me! It's the "auto" bit of auto enrollment. You will get it back next pay day as long as you opt out within 30 days of notification.

@whyhaveidonethis I do pay into a pension I have a private one that both myself and my employer pay into. I also have two others that I need to consolidate. I agree it would be unreasonable to do nothing.

My AIBU was is it unreasonable to auto enrole and take the money when that could have a negative impact on someone

Well that's OK then. I seriously worry Bout how much I'll have as a pensioner. I sorted out someone's state pension for them recently £835 a month!! So living off that.