The main difference is that your pay will increase slightly.
It won’t go up by the amount you were contributing, as the money will now be taxed as part of your income .
You’ll be opted out for three years and your employer will automatically re-enrol you after this period, unless you opt out again.
Legally, employers must check with you every three years to see if you’ve changed your mind about contributing.
While you won’t notice a huge difference at first, opting out of your pension with no backup savings plan can seriously impact your future.
You may have to delay retirement, make bigger contributions as you get older or even move house once you stop working to account for the loss of income.
Opting out of pension contributions doesn’t mean you’ll lose your savings to date, as any past contributions will generally stay in your pension pot.
You can take this out once you’re 55, or 57 from 2028. Some pension schemes refund contributions of those who opt out, but there may be tax penalties if you choose this option.
Opting out of your workplace pension can sometimes be a smart decision.
You may plan to use the funds to contribute to a self-invested pension pot ( SIPP ) which has stronger growth potential or better aligns with your values.
Or you could use the extra money to help clear any existing high-interest debts so, a year down the line, you’re able to actually save more for retirement.
The number of pensioners in debt and poverty has risen since 2012 , so clearing debts you know you’ll struggle with once you stop working is sensible.
If you stop contributing to your pension, set up direct debits or automatic savings transfers to make sure you don’t fall victim to lifestyle inflation and fail to reach your goals.