Help centre
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
What things should I consider before deciding to leave the scheme?
If you’re thinking of leaving Smart Pension, here are six things you need to be aware of and consider before making your decision.
What is a Letter of Authority?
What you need to know about a Letter of Authority and how it allows advisers to act on your behalf.
What assumptions are used for my pension statement?
Discover which assumptions are used for your Smart Pension statement.
What do I do if my annual statement contains incorrect details?
If you’ve received your annual statement but have noticed incorrect information, here’s what to do.
Transfer guide: One home for your pensions
Bringing your pensions together can make it easier to manage your pension savings.
Why was I automatically enrolled into a workplace pension?
Discover why you were automatically enrolled into a workplace pension and what to consider if you're thinking about opting out of the scheme.
Why is your retirement age important?
Understand how your retirement age affects your pension and how to plan your retirement income with confidence and choice.
Where can I see contributions to my pension?
You can easily view pension contributions in your Smart Pension account. Here’s where to go.
What is the pension calculator and how do I use it?
Frequently asked questions about the pension calculator
What is an expression of wish?
What you need to know about an expression of wish and how it impacts what happens to your Smart Pension savings if you die before retirement.
What is an additional voluntary contribution?
This page explains what additional voluntary contributions (AVCs) are and what you can do if you have an AVC benefit.
What is a P45 and how do I get one?
You generally receive a P45 when you leave a job, but here’s everything you need to know about the information on it and how to get one.
What happens to my Smart Pension savings if I leave my job?
Your pension savings are yours. If you’re leaving your job, your Smart Pension account can still be accessed but contributions will stop. Here’s what you need to know.
What growth rate assumptions were applied to my savings in 2026?
Find out more about the growth rate assumptions used for your 2026 annual pension statement.
What do the Smart Pension retirement options mean?
A breakdown of complicated and unfamiliar terms about retirement and the options available to you.
What do I need to know about my annual pension statement?
Not sure how to view your pension statement or what it shows? Discover the answers to frequently asked questions about annual pension statements.
What do I need to know about adding money or making regular pension contributions?
The most common questions asked about making one-off or regular pension contributions
What do I do if I’ve forgotten my username or password?
Need to sign in to your Smart Pension account but forgotten your username/email address or your password? Here are the steps to follow.
What do I do if I haven’t received my sign in details?
Discover how to access your Smart Pension account if you haven’t received your sign in details.
What changes are being made to the normal minimum pension age?
The age you can start accessing your pension savings is changing from 55 to 57 on 6 April 2028, and here’s how it could affect you.
What are means-tested benefits?
Learn all about means-tested benefits, key considerations regarding accessing your pension early and how taking money from your pension could affect them.
Under what circumstances can I take my pension savings early?
There are a few circumstances in which you can access your pension savings before age 55
Risk warnings
Highlighting the risks that come with saving for your future and providing you with the right information and support when you need it
Pension investments are more volatile than usual
An update about your pension investments and current market conditions
I can't remember my employer account name
You need your employer account name to sign in to your Smart Pension account. Here's where you can find it
How to complete your retirement application form
Learn how to complete your retirement application form, what information you'll need to provide, and the steps required before we can process your retirement claim.
How pensions work and why they matter
Learn how workplace pensions work, why they matter, and how they can help you build income for retirement. This guide explains how pensions grow over time, the different ways you can access your savings, and the tools available to help you plan ahead.
How much money will I need when I retire?
Find out how much you may need for retirement. Use our retirement calculator to understand retirement living costs and how to boost your pension savings.
How do member letters and communications work?
Discover how to access important letters and communications about your pension or account.
How do I transfer my pension from another provider to Smart Pension?
Bringing pension pots together can make it easier for you to track your retirement goals and manage your pension savings. And you can do it with ease in your Smart Pension account.
How do I sign in to Smart Rewards?
Find out how to access and make the most of Smart Rewards, a benefit provided to members of Smart Pension.
How do I sign in to my member account?
Whether you're signing in for the first time or need help accessing your Smart Pension account, follow the steps below to sign in to your member account.
How do I rejoin or opt in to a Smart Pension scheme?
Discover the steps involved to rejoining or opting in to the Smart Pension scheme.
How do I pay my Smart Rewards savings into my Smart Pension account?
Pay your Smart Rewards savings into your Smart Pension account
How do I find my old pensions?
It’s quick and easy to find out whether you have any lost pension treasure using our pension finder tool.
How do I change how much I pay into my pension?
Want to increase or decrease the amount you contribute into your pension? Here’s how you can adjust how much you’re putting in and how you can make a one-off payment.
How do I access Pension Wise guidance?
Find out what Pension Wise guidance is, how it can help you before you take money from your pension savings, and how to book a free Pension Wise appointment.
How can I leave the pension scheme I was automatically enrolled in?
Auto-enrolment rules encourage you to save for retirement but if you want to leave Smart Pension, here’s how to do so.
How can I contact Smart Pension?
Got questions about your Smart Pension account? Here are the different ways you can contact us.
How are my contributions refunded when I opt out of the scheme?
Uncover how refunds work when you opt out of the scheme.
Completing identity and verification
How to complete identity and verification through your Smart Pension account
Combining your pensions before retirement
Make preparing for retirement easier by combining your pensions into one
Bereavement process
Learn what happens to a Smart Pension pension pot when a member dies before accessing their retirement savings.
Add money at any time by making a one-off pension contribution
Boost your pension savings without committing to regular payments.
No results found.
Try a different search term or browse the help topics below.
How can I leave the pension scheme I was automatically enrolled in?
Auto-enrolment rules encourage you to save for retirement but if you want to leave Smart Pension, here’s how to do so.
Leaving your pension scheme is a big decision and could have a significant impact on your financial future. You will not receive pension contributions from your employer, which means you will miss out on free money for your retirement.
With Smart Pension, you may get to enjoy:
- stable growth over the long term
- a variety of funds for you to invest in
- lower charges
- tax relief added to your contributions or via payroll
- a range of retirement options, tools and support, helping you retire the way you want
Be aware that there are specific rules on re-joining so please think carefully before leaving your pension scheme.
The video below explains why your pension is important.
Still thinking of leaving?
There are two different ways to leave a pension scheme. Which one you can use will depend on how long you've been a member.
- Less than one month (Opt out) – if you're automatically enrolled by your employer but you don't want to be a part of the scheme, you can opt out of membership. This is the opt out window. You'll receive a refund for any contributions you've made within the opt out window. Please be aware that the refund will only be what you have paid in and not your employer's contribution, and will only be given if you opt out during the opt out window. To see how to opt out, scroll down to Section A.
- More than one month (Cease membership) – if you've been a member of the scheme for more than one month, but want to stop making contributions, you need to cease membership. Your contributions and your employer's contributions will stay invested, you will not get a refund.
To see how to cease membership, scroll down to Section B.
Section A
How to opt out
- Sign in and select the Stop paying in button at the bottom of the page.
- You will be taken to the ‘Stop paying in’ page. From here, select I still don’t want to pay into this pension.
- You should read the information on the next page carefully. If you still want to opt out of this pension scheme, tick the boxes which confirm you are the scheme member and have understood the consequences. Then select I still want to stop paying into this pension.
You also need to confirm why you would like to stop paying in by selecting a reason from the drop-down list. - A final warning pop up will appear. Type "I wish to opt out" in the box, to confirm.
Then, select the red Opt out button.
Section B
How to cease membership
- Sign in and select the Stop paying in button at the bottom of the page.
2. You will be taken to the Stop paying in page. From here, select I still don’t want to pay into this pension.
3. You should read the information on the next page carefully.
If you still want to cease membership, tick the boxes which confirm you are a scheme member and have understood the consequences and select Cease membership. You also need to confirm why you want to stop paying in by selecting a reason from the drop-down list.
- A final warning pop up will appear. Type "I wish to cease membership" in the box, to confirm. Then select the red Cease membership button.
Last updated:
October 5, 2026
Related articles
Thank you for your feedback!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.