How to see your pension contributions
Read your payslip to check pension payments using this guide.
How much are you putting into your pension?
You can see how much you’re putting into your pension with us by looking in your online account or your payslip. In your account, your payments are called ‘employee contributions’.
Where are pension contributions on your payslip?
Payslips are split into different sections. You’ll usually find your pension contributions in a section called ‘deductions’.
‘Employee’ is sometimes shortened to ‘ee’. If you see ‘EE pension’, this shows the amount you’re contributing to your pension. ‘Employer’ is sometimes shortened to ‘er’. If ‘ER pension’ is on your payslip, it refers to what your workplace is contributing to your pension.
How are your pension contributions worked out?
Most employees are auto-enrolled into a workplace pension scheme. So, you might see another abbreviation on your payslip – ‘AE’, for auto-enrolment.
Workplace pensions have minimum contribution levels. For most people, the employee contributes 5% of their earnings and the employer puts in 3% – though some employers pay more. You may have chosen to contribute at a higher rate, and if you use salary sacrifice, all of your pension contributions (including what you personally give up from your salary) will appear under the employer section.
Tax relief is added to your employee pension contributions, meaning some of the money that would normally go to the government goes into your pension instead.
Discover more about contributions and tax relief on our pension contributions page.
Topping up your pension savings
Adding a bit extra into your pension now could mean you have more later in life. Topping up means extra ‘free’ money in the form of tax relief, too.
Some employers also offer ‘matching contributions’, so if you increase your contributions, they do as well. If you’re thinking about paying more into your workplace pension, start by talking to your employer.
How to put more into your pension
You can add more into your pension regularly, or as a one-off. One-off payments are useful when you’ve received some unexpected money, like a bonus or inheritance.
Complete a personal pension contributions form to top up your pension.
If you want to make regular additional payments, your employer may be able to help set this up. When you talk to them about this, you can also ask if they offer matching contributions. And remember, you can keep adding to your pension with us even after leaving a job.
Find out more about topping up your pension on our page about pensions contributions.
Paying less into your pension
You might be able to pay less into your pension, as long as your total workplace pension contributions are worth at least 8% of your salary. However, it’s important to understand the impact of doing this. For example, you could end up with less income in retirement.
Read about paying less on our page about reducing or stopping pension contributions.
