The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals

21 February 2012

The Pensions Regulator has published an updated version of its detailed technical guide to automatic enrolment requirements for business software providers.

This latest version of the Software Guide (version 3) reflects recent amendments to existing workplace pensions reform law under the Pensions Act 2008 plus new legislation that was introduced by the Pensions Act 2011.

The guide now includes new content including 3 new data items asfollows:

• Revised earnings thresholds - the illustrative thresholds for qualifying earnings for automatic enrolment have also been included to reflect those proposed by the Department of Work and Pensions' in their recent consultation document

• Postponement - clarification of the rules around the use ofpostponement periods

• A new data item for workers who become eligible jobholders after previously being postponed

• A new data item for workers when they first becomes anon-eligible jobholder

• A new data item recording the date when employment ceases

A full appendix referencing the changes that have been made to the Software Guide.

In addition to changes resulting from the Pensions Act 2011 and the publication of regulations by Government, the updated detailed guide includes changes identified as a result of ongoing interactions with business software providers.