Employers are being warned not to fall for a scam involving the sale of fake certificates that suggest they do not have workplace pension duties.
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) is investigating at least one company offering what it describes as ‘Certificates of Auto Enrolment Exemption’ to employers.
A number of employers have been persuaded to pay for the documents, with the scammers claiming the paperwork means the holders do not have any workplace pension duties.
While employers have been charged £58 for the certificates, the documents are worthless – no such documents are produced or accepted by TPR as evidence of automatic enrolment exemption.
Every individual or organisation in the UK that employs at least one person has automatic enrolment duties. For some this will involve simply informing TPR that they do not have any staff that qualify for automatic enrolment. In other cases, employers will have to enrol some or all of their staff in a workplace pension and make regular contributions.
There is no evidence that employers are buying the fake documents with the intention of committing any offences. However, employers who have failed to comply with their duties because they believe the documents give them an exemption leave themselves open to being fined, and may be committing an offence.
Anyone who is offered the chance to buy a certificate of exemption or any similar sounding document is being urged to decline and contact TPR immediately.
Employers can use the Duties Checker to quickly understand exactly what they must do.
To make sure you are ready and compliant, please contact one of the Business Advisers at Odyssey Wealth Management who will be delighted to explain our process and help you put an effective plan in place.
Workplace pension are regulated by The Pensions Regulator
