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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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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 you were automatically enrolled

Employers have a legal duty to assess all their employees aged 16-74 to see if they meet the criteria to be automatically enrolled on a workplace pension scheme. 
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You are eligible for auto enrolment if you are:

  • between 22 and State Pension age
  • earning more than £10,000 a year (£833 a month or £192 a week) before tax
  • ordinarily working in the UK


Anyone who is eligible must be enrolled in a pension scheme by law. So if you've recently been enrolled, it's because your employer assessed you and found you eligible, even if you didn't meet the criteria in the past.
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Your employer has up to three months to assess whether you qualify for automatic enrolment and enrol you if you do. This period starts when their duty to automatically enrol workers begins or when you start working for them, whichever is later. 

The benefit of being auto enrolled into a workplace pension

The auto enrolment rules exist to encourage workers to save for retirement. 
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If you are a taxpayer, you'll benefit from tax relief when you make contributions to your pension and if you are automatically enrolled, your employer will also make contributions. 
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By staying in the scheme, you'll also benefit from the money they add to your pension. The more you and your employer contribute now, the more your pension savings could grow before you retire. So, the money you save now could help you achieve your future income goals and have a more comfortable life in retirement.

If you decide you want to leave your pension scheme

If you are assessed as eligible and enrolled in your employer's workplace pension scheme, you can choose to opt out within one month of enrolment. This is also known as the opt out window. 
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If you opt out within the opt out window, you'll get a refund of any contributions you've made, but you won't benefit from any contributions your employer has made. 
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Outside of the one month opt out period, you can cease membership at any time. 
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You won't receive any refund on your contributions, but your contributions and your employer’s will stay invested.
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Thinking of leaving? Here’s how to leave your pension scheme if you've been automatically enrolled. 

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Last updated:
September 10, 2026

Related articles

What assumptions are used for my pension statement?

Where can I see contributions to my pension?

What is the pension calculator and how do I use it?

What is an additional voluntary contribution?

What do I need to know about my annual pension statement?

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