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How to recover your Smart Pension account
Lost track of your account? Here are the steps to follow
Support at retirement
The teams, tools and services that can help you prepare for retirement
Member
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.
Member
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.
Member
What assumptions are used for my pension statement?
Discover which assumptions are used for your Smart Pension statement.
Member
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.
Member
Transfer guide: One home for your pensions
Bringing your pensions together can make it easier to manage your pension savings.
Member
Smart Web Application Cookie Policy
Our web application uses cookies to distinguish you from other users. This helps us to provide you with a good experience when you use our web application and also allows us to improve it.
How to sign up for Smart Rewards
Member
Your company to-do list
Before your pension scheme is ready to accept contributions, we need you to complete a few simple tasks in your to-do list.
Employer
Your account name
What your account name is, how to change it, and what to do if you've forgotten it.
Employer
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.
Member
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.
Member
Why has my PAPDIS file failed?
Employer
Why has my PAPDIS file failed and how can I fix upload errors?
Discover what a PAPDIS error or a failed upload status means, and how to fix the problem with your PAPDIS file.
Employer
Which employees are eligible?
Information Assessment and Eligibility
Employer
Where can I see contributions to my pension?
You can easily view pension contributions in your Smart Pension account. Here’s where to go.
Member
What is the pension calculator and how do I use it?
Frequently asked questions about the pension calculator
Member
What is the pay now feature and how does it work?
From where to find the feature to the purpose it serves, here are the answers to frequently asked questions about the ‘pay now’ feature within Smart Pension.
Employer
What is salary sacrifice and how does it work?
Explaining how salary sacrifice works, with examples
Employer
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.
Member
What is an adviser invitation?
A quick explanation on adviser invitations
Employer
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.
Member
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.
Member
What is a Letter of Authority?
A Letter of Authority allows advisers to act or ask for information on a member’s behalf, but here’s what else you need to know, including what should be mentioned in the letter.
Adviser
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.
Member
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.
Member
What do the Smart Pension retirement options mean?
A breakdown of complicated and unfamiliar terms about retirement and the options available to you.
Member
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.
Member
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
Member
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.
Member
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.
Member
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.
Member
What are the two HMRC approved methods for giving pension tax relief?
There are two HMRC approved methods for paying contributions into a Pension Scheme.
Employer
What are the Smart Pension PAPDIS assessment codes and specifications?
See our detailed PAPDIS specifications, what you can do with PAPDIS, and our assessment and event codes.
Employer
What are pensionable earnings?
When setting up your workplace pension scheme, you need to know which type of pensionable earning you want to go with. Find out what pensionable earnings are and the different types you can choose from.
Employer
What are my retirement options?
Help with understanding your choices for retirement.
Member
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.
Member
Week 53 contributions
Learn about 'week 53' and check if you need to make contributions for this tax period.
Employer
Viewing your clients
How to view the list of clients you or other users on your adviser account manage
Adviser
Updating your staging date or duties start date
How to set up your pension scheme start date.
Employer
Updating your scheme details
How to find and update your scheme details
Employer
Updating multiple employees and contribution percentage
Within this tool you can add employees to groups or update contribution percentages.
Employer
Updating and managing signatories and admins
Tips on Managing your company's admins and signatories
Employer
Updating adviser accounts
How to edit your account details
Adviser
Updating a group name
Learn how to change a group name
Employer
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
Member
The adviser home page
A guide to the adviser account home page
Adviser
Smart Pension and Xero
How to set up your Smart Pension account with Xero
Employer
Smart Pension and Moneysoft (Payroll manager)
How to set up your Smart Pension account with Moneysoft
Employer
Smart Pension and BrightPay
How to set up your Smart Pension account with BrightPay
Employer
Signing the participation agreement
Learn how to digitally sign the agreement between your company and Smart Pension.
Employer
Setting up your payroll API
How to set up your one-click payroll
Employer
Setting up your Direct Debit
Learn how to set up a direct debit to pay pension contributions
Employer
Sending an adviser invitation
Learn how to send an invitation to an adviser so they can access your company pension scheme
Employer
Scheme setup
Access important tasks needed to complete setting up your pension scheme.
Employer
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
Member
Protecting the money you have invested
Security of assets
Member
Postponements
Learn how to postpone the assessment date of your employee(s)
Employer
Personalising Smart Pension for your employees
How to add a company logo to your Smart Pension account
Employer
Pension Scheme Registration Number (PSR)
Our PSR number is: 12011089
Employer
Pension investments are more volatile than usual
An update about your pension investments and current market conditions
Member
Pension contribution timelines and the investment process
This article explains how long it takes for your employees' pension contributions to clear and be invested, why you can only process one payment run at a time, and provides tips to help you manage your submissions smoothly.
Employer
Pay period data submission requirements
Understanding what pay period data needs to be submitted to the pension provider
Employer
Our top frequently asked questions about paying contributions by bank transfer
Find answers to frequently asked questions about paying contributions by bank transfer
Employer
Managing your clients
How to administer clients you or other users on your adviser account manage
Adviser
Managing my details
Change your personal information and your password
Member
Managing company details
A guide to the company details section
Employer
Managing adviser permissions
Learn how to revoke access to one of your advisers
Employer
Maintaining your Smart Pension employer account
Make the most of your Smart Pension employer account with key functionalities that keep your pension operations running smoothly, especially at tax year-end when reviewing your pension scheme.
Employer
List your employees
See how to list all employees in your pension scheme
Employer
Inviting a new adviser for a client
How to invite another adviser to manage a client with you
Adviser
Importing Employees
Using our template you can add multiple employees to your company
Employer
If I don’t have a UK bank account, what payment solutions are available?
How to set up a payment solution if you don't have a UK bank account
Employer
I need to send a confirmation of compliance to The Pension Regulator
Outlines client late payments and confirmation of compliance
Adviser
I don't have an email address
What to do if you don't have an email address
Member
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
Member
How to make adjustments or refunds for payroll contributions
This guide outlines the steps to process adjustments and refunds for payroll contributions due to administrative errors.
Employer
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.
Member
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.
Member
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.
Member
How do member letters and communications work?
Discover how to access important letters and communications about your pension or account.
Member
How do I view and edit employee contribution information?
Keep your employee contribution records accurate and up to date. Follow the steps below to view and edit contribution information.
Employer
How do I use the assessment tool to calculate contributions?
See how you can use our assessment tool to assess your employees and calculate their contributions in one go.
Employer
How do I use a PAPDIS file to upload pre-assessed pension contributions?
How to use a PAPDIS file to process your contributions
Employer
How do I update employee details?
Discover how to update employee details including email, home address and more within your Smart Pension account.
Employer
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.
Member
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.
Member
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.
Member
How do I sign in to my employer account?
The steps you need to follow to successfully sign in to your Smart Pension employer account.
Employer
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.
Member
How do I re-enrol employees back into my pension scheme?
It is your legal duty to check if you should put eligible employees who have left your pension scheme back into it. This is known as re-enrolment, and should be done every three years. Here are the steps to follow.
Employer
How do I pay my Smart Rewards savings into my Smart Pension account?
Pay your Smart Rewards savings into your Smart Pension account
Member
How do I make a complaint?
How to complain if you’re unhappy with the service you’ve received
Member
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.
Member
How do I do a bonus exchange for my employees?
Uncover the benefit of a bonus exchange and how to make a bonus exchange payment to Smart Pension.
Employer
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.
Member
How do I add or change my beneficiaries?
How to add, edit or remove beneficiaries
Member
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.
Member
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.
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Employer
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PAPDIS
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Why has my PAPDIS file failed and how can I fix upload errors?
Discover what a PAPDIS error or a failed upload status means, and how to fix the problem with your PAPDIS file.
Fixing errors with your PAPDIS upload
When you upload your PAPDIS file and see an ‘Errors detected’ status, it means that while some data has been successfully uploaded, we have detected errors that require correction.
Each specific error will be displayed on the screen. You’ll need to correct the errors and re-upload the file.
We have a tool to assist you with your error management. You can download a file containing the errors only in CSV file format. Using the error file provided, you can correct the errors within the file and then re-upload this same file.
To download the error file, select Download errors in CSV at the top right of the errors list.
It's important to make sure that your payroll software is amended to reflect any error correction. Failure to do this may cause the error to reoccur in the next file upload.
What your error message means
In the below table, you'll find the most common error messages when your file upload has an ‘Errors detected’ status and how to fix them.
Error
Details
How to fix it
The pay period start date must be one day after the end of the previous pay period. e.g. 01 July 2023.
The pay period specified in the file doesn’t follow the last pay period uploaded for this employee, this could mean there is a pay period missing.
OR
We already have contribution information for this pay period.
No action required if we already have a contribution for the pay period.
Where there are missing periods, you will need to create those contributions first before uploading the current one again.
Contribution rates are below the legal minimum.
The contribution rates are below the legal minimum for auto enrolment.
The company percentage must be at least 3% and the total percentage must be at least 8%.*
*for certified schemes, this amount may be different, please check your pensionable earnings basis for details.
Correct the percentages.
Make sure the correct contribution amount has been calculated and upload the file again.
This National Insurance number is already linked to an employee.
The National Insurance number is already in use on another employee record.
Check the employee ID is correct.
If the employee is a rehire, you will need to remove the NI number (and email address) from the previous record. Once you have done this, upload the record again.
National Insurance number format is wrong.
There is an invalid NI number in column R on the PAPDIS file.
Correct the NI number to a valid one and reload the file again.
If you do not know the correct NI number or only have a temporary one, please delete from the file and upload the file again.
The ‘Ends on’ date cannot be before active membership starts on, opt in on or employment starts on date.
The file contains an ‘ends on’ date which is before the opt in on, or employment start date.
Correct the date to be on or after the opt-in date or employment start date, and then upload the record again.
The employment start date format is wrong.
OR
Exit date format is wrong.
The dates highlighted in the error are in the incorrect format.
Enter the date in the format of DD-MM-YYYY or YYYY-MM-DD and upload the file again.
Group is missing.
Column D on the PAPDIS file is blank.
Add a group name for each record to the column.
If you don't use groups, you can add ‘default’ in column D, (all lower case) and upload the file again.
The employment start date doesn’t match our existing record for this employee.
The employment start date in column Z of the PAPDIS file doesn't match the employment start date on the employees record.
You can't change an employee's employment start date through file upload. If you need to update these details, please update the employee record manually by going to Menu> Scheme set up> Employees > Update.
You cannot change an assessment code. Please delete the contribution record before reloading the file
The PAPDIS file has been uploaded for the same period but the assessment code has changed.
Delete the contribution record from the Contributions page. Amend the assessment code to match what was uploaded before and upload the file again.
You cannot change an event code. Please delete the contribution record before reloading the file
The PAPDIS file is uploaded for the same period but the event code has changed.
Delete the contribution record from the Contributions page. Amend the event code to match what was uploaded before and upload the file again.
You can only amend contributions in a created/payment failed/payment cancelled state. Please contact us if the contributions are incorrect
The PAPDIS file is uploaded for the same period but the contribution is not in a created/payment failed/payment cancelled state eg. payment pending.
Contact us if the contributions are incorrect.
The email address does not match our existing record for this employee
You can't change an employee's email address via file upload. If you need to update these details, please update the employee record manually. Please check with your employee first as they may have changed their email address.
Check with your employee whether the member’s email address is correct.
If you need to change the member’s email address then change it in the employer platform on the Employee list page. Access via Scheme setup then Employees and Employee list page.
Please note that, unless you received another error message, the contribution upload was successful.
Failed PAPDIS file upload
Here you'll find the most common error messages when your file upload has a ‘Fail’ status and how to fix them.
Please note you will also need to make sure that your payroll software is amended to reflect any error correction. Failure to do this may cause the error to reoccur in the next file upload.
Error
Details
How to fix
The employer ID on the submission is not the correct one for this company.
The company ID in column C of the PAPDIS file is invalid or is the incorrect ID for this company.
Please first check you are uploading into the correct account.
If you’re uploading to the correct account, amend the employer ID in column C of the PAPDIS file and upload the file again. Your company ID can be found on your dashboard.
Group is missing
Column D on the PAPDIS file is blank.
Add a group name for each record to the column.
If you don't use groups, you can add ‘default’ in column D, all lowercase, and upload the file again.
National Insurance number format is wrong.
There is an invalid NI number in column R on the PAPDIS file.
Correct the NI number to a valid one and reload the file again.
If you don’t know the correct NI number or only have a temporary one, please delete it from the file and upload the file again.
We do not recognise the name of the header(s). Check the ‘header name’ is correct and upload the file again.
There is an invalid column header on the PAPDIS file (this could relate to any of the headings).
Check the invalid header specified in the error message and update it to the correct header. Then upload the file again.
The header specifications can be found here.
A header is missing. The ‘header name’ is missing.
There is a missing heading on the PAPDIS file (this could relate to any of the headings).
Check the missing header specified in the error message and add the header (and any related data under the header) to the file. Then upload the file again.
The header specifications can be found here.
The allowed file types are text/plain and text/CSV.
The file is saved in the incorrect file format.
Resave the file in the correct format CSV (Comma Delimited) (*.csv) and upload the file again.
A guide to fixing upload errors
To understand these errors and how to fix them in more detail, watch our dedicated video with visual step-by-step tutorials to help you.
If you still need support or help, please contact us.
Last updated:
September 4, 2026
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