Pension Awareness Week: Understanding pensions when you employ a Personal Assistant
By Amie, Senior Pensions Administrator at DD Payroll
If you employ a Personal Assistant using a Direct Payment, you might not think of yourself as an employer in the traditional sense. But when you employ someone to provide your care and support, you take on the responsibilities that come with being an employer, including workplace pension responsibilities.
With Pension Awareness Week taking place from 14–18 September, I wanted to explain some of the things you need to know about workplace pensions and how DD Payroll can support you.
What is a workplace pension?
A workplace pension is a way for your employee to save towards their retirement. If your PA meets certain age and earnings criteria, you may need to automatically enrol them into a workplace pension and make contributions towards it.
For the 2026/27 tax year, a worker will usually need to be aged between 22 and State Pension age and earn at least £10,000 a year to be automatically enrolled. There are also circumstances where an employee who isn’t automatically enrolled can choose to join a pension scheme.
The rules can feel complicated, particularly if you’re managing other aspects of employing your PA at the same time. That’s where having the right support can make a difference.
What are my responsibilities as an employer?
If you employ a PA, you have legal responsibilities around workplace pensions.
These can include:
- Checking whether your PA needs to be enrolled into a workplace pension
- Making the required employer pension contributions
- Deducting your PA’s pension contribution from their pay where applicable
- Providing the required information to your PA
- Keeping up with changes to their circumstances
- Continuing to assess their eligibility as their age or earnings change
These aren’t responsibilities that only apply to large businesses. The Pensions Regulator specifically confirms that someone employing a Personal Care Assistant is an employer for automatic enrolment purposes.
How does DD Payroll help?
Pensions are part of the payroll service we provide, so you don’t have to navigate every part of the process on your own.
Our pensions team can help with the administration involved in your PA’s workplace pension alongside their payroll.
This includes keeping an eye on pension information and making sure the appropriate deductions and contributions are reflected in the payroll.
We also deal with pension correspondence, so if you receive a letter or other information from your pension provider, please send a copy to us.
You can simply take a clear photo of the letter and send it to us by WhatsApp or email. You don’t need to work out what it means first. If you’re unsure whether something is relevant, send it to us and we can check it.
What happens if my PA’s circumstances change?
Your PA’s circumstances can change over time.
They might increase or reduce their hours, their earnings might change, or they might leave your employment.
Changes like these can affect workplace pension assessments and contributions, which is why pension information needs to be kept up to date.
As part of our payroll service, we can help you keep on top of the pension administration that comes with these changes.
A few things to remember
📬 Don’t ignore pension correspondence
If you receive something from your pension provider, send us a copy by WhatsApp or email.
📋 Tell us about changes
If your PA’s hours, pay or employment circumstances change, let us know so we can make sure the relevant information is reflected in their payroll.
💬 Ask if you’re unsure
You don’t need to understand every pension term or piece of paperwork. If something doesn’t make sense, ask us.
🔎 Remember that pensions are ongoing
Workplace pension responsibilities don’t stop once your PA has been enrolled. Their circumstances and pension arrangements may need to be reviewed over time.
Amie’s pension tip
“Pensions can seem complicated, but you don’t have to work everything out yourself. If you receive something from your pension provider and you’re not sure what it means, send it to us. We’d much rather have a look and help you understand what needs to happen.”
Pensions don’t have to be something you manage alone
Being a Direct Payment employer comes with a lot to think about, and pensions are just one part of employing a PA.
At DD Payroll, our pensions team is here to support you with the administration involved, alongside your payroll.
So, whether you’re unsure about a pension letter, have a question about your PA’s deductions or need to tell us about a change in their circumstances, get in touch with the DD Payroll team and we’ll be happy to help.
Amie
Senior Pensions Administrator
DD Payroll
