The short answer
Your pension duties start the day your first employee starts. Qualifying staff must be enrolled and the declaration of compliance completed within the statutory window — the deadline first-time employers most often miss.
Your pension duties start the day your first employee starts. Qualifying staff must be enrolled and the declaration of compliance completed within the statutory window — the deadline first-time employers most often miss.
The full plain-English guide is being written and reviewed. Meanwhile, the official guidance below covers the essentials, and the FirstEmployer app walks you through this step with the exact law on screen.
This guide is being expanded and solicitor-reviewed. The answer above is current as of config 2026.2.