Beginning on 6 April 2018, employers may be required to increase the amount of their contributions into their automatic enrolment pension. Staff members will have to make up whatever shortfall remains of the new total minimum contribution.
The contribution levels continue to rise until the employer is paying a minimum of 3% towards the pension and the total minimum contribution reaches 8% - with the member of staff making up the rest.
If the employer pays the same as the minimum total contribution then the member of staff will not need to pay any contributions, unless the scheme rules require a contribution.
Both the employer and staff member can choose to contribute greater amounts to the pension if they wish.
If the employer contributes more than their required minimum amount - but less than the total minimum amount - then the staff member only needs to make up the shortfall between the total minimum and the employer contribution.
The table below demonstrates the phases of contribution increases, with the employer paying only their minimum, and the staff contribution shown in brackets (the difference between the total minimum and the employer minimum):
