The Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Systems Act 2024 establishes a new retirement savings scheme known as ‘My Future Fund’. The scheme commenced on 1 January 2026 and is designed for employees who do not already have a pension. A new public body, the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA), has been established to administer the scheme.
Penalisation of Employees
Section 127 of the Act prohibits the penalisation of an employee for participating or planning to participate in the scheme. Penalisation includes actions like dismissal, demotion, loss of promotion, or reduced wages. Employees who believe they have been penalised can refer a complaint to the WRC’s adjudication service.
Hindering employee from participating in automatic enrolment
Section 128 of the Act provides that a person who hinders or attempts to hinder an employee from participating in the automatic enrolment retirement savings system commits an offence. Employees who believe that they been hindered, or attempts have been made to hinder them from participating in the automatic enrolment retirement savings system can make a complaint to the WRC’s adjudication service.
Referral of Complaints to the WRC
To refer a complaint to the WRC, an employee should use the online portal on the WRC website. They must complete all sections of the online form, providing the correct details for their employer/respondent and keep their own contact information up to date.
Regarding complaints under the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Systems Act 2024, an employee who feels that they have been hindered or penalised under the Act and wishes to lodge a complaint to the WRC, should select “Penalisation” under the complaint area on the complaint form and then select the relevant complaint and redress act.
The WRC will then process the complaint.
Relevant information for submitting a complaint is available on the eComplaint Portal home screen and a WRC eComplaint Portal - Step by Step User Guide is available here.