If you get an error when you submit your pension contributions to Nest Pensions, use the steps below to help fix the issue. 

Things to consider:

• The terminology used is Nest terminology, not Sages
• Nest generates the errors at the time of the transmission
• Where possible, we list detailed steps to explain the cause of each error, and how to resolve them
• Depending on the nature of the error, we can advise you to contact Sage support directly
• For further information on the terms used, read Nest pension submission glossary

Before you start

We recommend having your Nest login details to hand.

 NOTE: When comparing details between payroll and Nest Pensions, they must be identical. This includes capital letters, lower case letters, special characters, leading or trailing spaces. 

To find the full error message:

1. Select Summary from the menu bar.

2. From the Auto Enrolment/Pensions section, select View Submission Errors.

The error

An employee has already opted out of the pension, but hasn’t provided an opt out reference number.

You find the opt out reference number on the 'notice to opt out of pension' saving form. Your employee will have given this to Nest. If your employee opts out of the pension using the Nest online system, you need their opt out reference.

The steps to resolve the error depend on whether you have the opt out reference number.

If you have the opt-out reference:

You can edit the pay run in Sage Payroll to add the reference.

1. Select Pay Runs from the menu bar.
2. Select the relevant pay run you’re trying to submit to Nest.
3. Select Edit pay run and Edit pay.
4. Select the checkbox to confirm you understand the impact of editing a pay run, then Confirm.
5. Choose the employee you need to add the reference to.
6. Select Manage Enrolment then Opt Out/Leave. (you will need to scroll down to see this option if you have multiple payments and deductions for this employee).
7. In Did the employee opt-out using a NEST paper Form?, select Yes.
8. Fill in the opt out reference.
9. Select Opt Out.
10. Resubmit the pension file by selecting Summary and View submission details.
11. Select Submit Online.

If you don't have the opt-out reference:

Use the steps below to upload to the Nest portal using a CSV file.

In Sage Payroll:

1. Select Pay Runs from the menu bar.
2. Choose the relevant pay run you’re trying to submit to Nest.
3. Under Pensions submission, select View submission details.
4. Select Manage Pension File.
5. Then select Regenerate CSV file. 
6. This will download the CSV File you need.
7. To access your Nest portal, select Manage Pension File and then open NEST portal.

Speak to Nest if you need support on uploading a file on your portal.