This article explains how to correct a pension file when a new enrolment is not included correctly and you get an error. This typically happens when the enrolment date falls in a previous pay period that was notified late to payroll.
Sometimes, a new enrolment in the pension file might not get included correctly, and you may get an error saying that the pension provider can't accept contributions for the new enrollee because their enrolment hasn't been processed.
Typically, this happens because the enrolment date is in a previous pay period (and may have been notified late to payroll).
This can be difficult to put right in the payroll software, but with Flexible File Correction the file can quickly and easily be updated and re-uploaded.
The fields you need to edit are shown below:
In this case, James Alan Thompson, David John Bradford and Asif Ali all have AssessmentCode 1, EventCode 0 and no EventDate. This means that they are all Eligible Jobholders who are already in the scheme.
If we imagine that Asif Ali is actually a new Auto Enrolment, we could edit the data to show this by setting the EventCode to 1 (Auto Enrolment) and adding the Auto Enrolment date in the EventDate field.
With the edits shown below, Asif Ali would be processed as a new Auto Enrolment, which would solve the error and allow contributions to be processed for him.
Common combinations include:
- Automatic enrolment of an Eligible jobholder
- AssessmentCode = 1, EventCode = 1
- Opt in of an Eligible jobholder
- AssessmentCode = 1, EventCode = 2
- Opt in of a Non Eligible jobholder
- AssessmentCode = 2, EventCode = 2
- Ongoing contributions for someone previously enrolled
- AssessmentCode = 1 or 2, EventCode = 0
- Not in the scheme (e.g. in postponement, not assessed to be enrolled, opted out)
- AssessmentCode left blank, EventCode = 0
Below are full details of all the AssessmentCode and EventCodes.
When a worker is assessed in payroll they are assigned an 'Assessment Code' which lets the Pension Provider know what type of worker they are, as follows:
AssessmentCode
1= Eligible Jobholder
2= Non Eligible Jobholder
3= Entitled Worker
Not supplied = not a member of the scheme
They will also be assigned an 'Event Code' when joining the scheme so the Provider knows if they're already an existing member (0), if they're a new enrolment (1), if they've opted in (2) or whether they're an Entitled worker who wishes to join the scheme (3)
EventCode
0 = Not a new enrolment
1 = New Auto Enrolment
2 = New Opt In
3 = New Entitled Worker joining the scheme
If you have difficulty uploading the file due to errors around the Assessment or Event Code, you can amend the file if necessary to show the correct code above and/or make the changes in payroll and then export a new PAPDIS file.
EventDate
This is usually the date the employee was enrolled in the scheme. This could be:
- Auto Enrolment date (Eligible Jobholder only)
- Opt In date (Eligible / Non Eligible Jobholder)
- Date they asked to join the scheme (Entitled Worker)
What do the different worker types mean?
Eligible Jobholders are workers who need to be auto enrolled because they meet certain age and earnings criteria.
Non-Eligible Jobholders don't meet all the criteria, but can still opt in to the scheme if they wish. If they choose to opt in they have the right to the same contributions as someone who was auto enrolled.
Entitled Workers earn less than the National Insurance lower threshold. They can't be auto enrolled and they don't have opt in rights. They can ask to join the scheme, but the employer is not obliged to pay contributions for them.
The Pensions Regulator have provided the below diagram summarising the different types of worker:
Non-members
As a general rule, it's best to include non-members in your file. This is because some pension providers provide assessment and communication services which mean they need information about all employees.
PensionSync knows which providers want details of non-members and either delivers or discards records for non-members accordingly.
Non-members are recognised because they have the following combination of AssessmentCode and EventCode:
- AssessmentCode - not supplied
- EventCode - 0