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Support at retirement
The teams, tools and services that can help you prepare for retirement
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.
How to sign up for Smart Rewards
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 my retirement options?
Help with understanding your choices for retirement.
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
Protecting the money you have invested
Security of assets
Pension investments are more volatile than usual
An update about your pension investments and current market conditions
Managing my details
Change your personal information and your password
I don't have an email address
What to do if you don't have an email address
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 make a complaint?
How to complain if you’re unhappy with the service you’ve received
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 add or change my beneficiaries?
How to add, edit or remove beneficiaries
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.
Accessing your savings at retirement
Learn how to access your Smart Pension savings at retirement. Understand your options, how to start the process, and where to access help and guidance.

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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 to change your regular contributions

When your employer enrols you into a workplace pension with us, you will normally contribute a percentage of your salary to your pension. You will see this pension contribution reflected on your payslip. You can adjust the size of this percentage in your Smart Pension account.

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  1. Sign in to your account and click on Contributions on the 'Your pension' page. Here you can see the current percentage of your pensionable earnings that you and your employer put into your pension.
  2. Use the + or - buttons to change your contribution percentage. 
  3. Select Update contribution to save your changes. The changes will be reflected in your next pay period.
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Dashboard titled Your pension details showing sections: To do list with 4 tasks to complete; Investments with info on pension savings; Add money for one-off contributions; Contributions showing 5% from you and 3% from employer; Retirement age 65 years; Beneficiaries to choose who receives savings if you die; Inbox with 1 unread message. Below is More for you with Financial wellbeing articles, Smart Rewards for saving money, Pension Walkthrough with audio, and Stop paying in options.

What’s the minimum contribution that needs to be made?

Under standard UK automatic enrolment rules, you and your employer need to contribute a total of at least 8% of your salary to your pension.
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If your employer contributes 3% (the minimum level currently required of them by law), your minimum contribution will be 5%, to make 8% in total.
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If your employer matches your contributions to 4% or more, your minimum contribution will need to be 4%, totalling 8% when matched by your employer.

How to make a one-off contribution

You can make a one-off contribution to your pension whenever your financial circumstances allow, making it a helpful way to boost your pension. This kind of extra one-off contribution is known as an additional voluntary contribution (AVC).
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There are currently two ways you can make an AVC.
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1. Through your employer

Speak to your employer/payroll department and they’ll take your contribution out of your salary and let us know. You’ll see the contribution appear in your pot within six weeks of us receiving their payroll data.
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2. From your personal bank account using your Smart Pension mobile app

Select Add money on the home screen and follow the instructions. Payments made this way will attract basic rate tax relief, which Smart Pension will claim on your behalf, enhancing your contribution even more. 

Maximum contributions

There is a limit to the total amount that you can contribute to your pension each tax year. This is known as the annual allowance. 
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For the tax year 2026/27 the annual allowance is £60,000 across all of your pension arrangements. This covers all your contributions, your employer’s contributions, and any tax relief you may get. Once you go over this allowance, you will incur a tax charge, known as the annual allowance charge.
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If you earn over £200,000 a year, or if you've already started to access any of your pension savings, your annual allowance may be different. 
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If you'd like more information on adjusting your pension contributions, we recommend talking with a financial adviser.
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Smart Pension can only provide guidance and is not regulated to give financial advice. If you require professional advice, you can find support on the MoneyHelper website.

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Last updated:
October 5, 2026

Related articles

What things should I consider before deciding to leave the scheme?

What is a Letter of Authority?

What do I do if my annual statement contains incorrect details?

Transfer guide: One home for your pensions

How to sign up for Smart Rewards

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