The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that all key auto-enrolment pension thresholds will remain unchanged for 2026/27.
This means:
- The auto-enrolment earnings trigger stays at £10,000 - the annual pay above which employees must be automatically enrolled.
- The lower earnings limit remains at £6,240.
- The upper earnings limit remains at £50,270.
These thresholds determine which employees are eligible for automatic enrolment and the portion of earnings in respect of which contributions need to be made.
Employees who earn less than the earnings trigger can still opt in to their employer’s workplace pension. It’s important to remember that if they earn between the lower earnings limit and enrol, the earnings trigger a mandatory employer contribution.
With thresholds unchanged, this should mean there is no need to adjust your payroll systems or processes in the coming year.
If you would like support with your payroll system and auto-enrolment, please give us a call. We would be happy to help you!
UK businesses are facing a “cost of business crisis”, according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). Its new cost-stack calculator shows government policy alone has pushed up an average firm's expenses by 70% over the past decade, adding roughly £827,000 a year in costs for a typical mid-sized business. About a quarter of the rise stems from the increase in employer National Insurance contributions, with the higher minimum wage and mandatory pension auto-enrolment also major contributors.
Under Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax, sole traders and landlords with income of more than £50,000 have been required to keep digital records and send quarterly updates to HMRC since 6 April 2026.
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