If a pension doesn't calculate when running a pay run:

• There's no pension scheme set up, or the setup is incorrect
• The pay run date is before the staging date set on the pension
• The payment type isn't part of the Pension Earnings and Qualifying Earnings calculations
• The employee hasn't enrolled in, or opted into the pension

Check your pension scheme setup is correct

Select the Pensions tab. Make sure to tick the check boxes for all four sections of the Auto Enrolment Preparation. This confirms you've nominated a pension contact. It ensures workforce assessment is complete, the pension scheme qualifies, and you notified employees. Make sure you enter a Staging Date and a Duties Start date.

The Auto Enrolment Preparation scheme doesn't show if:

• You've completed all the sections and
• You have a pension scheme set up

Check the pay run is after the staging date

The pension won't calculate on pay periods run before the Staging Date. The pension won't show until after this date.

Check the payment type includes pension earnings

Check you're using the relevant payment types. These need to include pension earnings and qualifying earnings.

1. Select the Settings tab and Payments and Deductions. Select the payment type (Salary or Ex. Basic Hours).

2. Look at the View Payment screen. You must have selected the Pension Earnings and Qualifying Earnings checkboxes.

3. Once you include a payment type in a completed pay run, you can't edit these checkboxes. If the payment type doesn't include pension options, create a new payment type. Make sure to select the checkboxes.
   
   Once you've created the new payment type, process your pay run. Enter the new payment to allow the pension to calculate. Pension contributions calculate for your employees. Don't forget to remove the original payment from the employees.

Check that your employee has joined or opted into the scheme

Employees become eligible to join your pension scheme if they are over 21. They also need to be under retirement age.

Check that your employee is earning enough

Eligible employees must have reached the earnings threshold for automatic enrolment. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) set the thresholds. 

View HMRC automatic enrolment thresholds (opens in new tab).

Check that your employee is part of a pension scheme

1. From the Employees tab, select the employee and then Workplace Pensions.

2. Make sure there's no tick in the Excluded from Auto-enrolment checkbox.
3. If you change the employee record, re-enter the employee's pay in the pay run. First, enter the pay amount as zero, then enter the correct amount. This will make sure the change to auto-enrolment status updates.