Auto-enrolment makes pension saving automatic, but is opting out ever the right move? We crunch the real numbers so you can decide.
Employer pension matching is the closest thing to free money in personal finance. Here's how auto-enrolment works, how to unlock extra contributions, and why salary sacrifice saves you more.
Minimum workplace pension is 8% total in 2026/27 -- at least 3% from your employer. See qualifying earnings, real examples and the true cost of opting out.
A GBP 33,000 graduate salary looks healthy until the Plan 5 student loan and pension auto-enrolment land. Here is the full 2026/27 take-home, deduction by deduction.
Opting out of auto-enrolment means forfeiting your employer's 3% contribution. See the full 40-year compound cost and when opting out might actually make sense.
Auto-enrolment minimum is 8% but many employers match more. Here's how to maximise employer contributions, understand qualifying earnings vs pensionable pay, and why salary sacrifice makes pension contributions cheaper for you.
