Certifying your pension scheme online

Certifying your Royal London auto enrolment scheme 

The key steps for certifying your Royal London auto enrolment scheme are outlined below. This section also highlights the main points you need to consider.

Using the certificate generated through your auto enrolment dashboard

When your certificate is due, you’ll be advised of a certification task on your dashboard. This will allow you to download a template scheme certificate: 

• This certificate covers your Royal London scheme, as shown in the Scheme/category details section. This template is based on our current understanding of the legislation and regulations. These may change in the future.
• We’ve provided this template to help with the process. However, it is your responsibility to make sure the certification requirements are met.
• If you have different minimum contribution sets for different groups of employees, you will receive a separate template certificate. Each group will have its own certificate.
• You do not need a certificate for any part of your scheme that already requires contributions at or above the minimum levels set by law. A certificate is also not required if your scheme uses 8% of qualifying earnings as the minimum contribution level.

If you are certifying another scheme, you must complete a certificate for that scheme as well. You can use the blank certificate to help with this. 

Complete your certificate

You're responsible for ensuring the certificate is completed correctly and stored safely. If you'd like to use the template certificate we've provided, you need to: 

• Check all the information we've given is correct. This information is based on the contribution rates in your scheme documentation. Let us know immediately if there are any issues with the information provided.
• If you have chosen to make contributions using basic pay at 8%, you must carry out a check to confirm that the total pensionable earnings of all jobholders covered by the certificate are at least 85% of their total earnings.
• If any jobholders have chosen to pay contributions below the qualifying level, you must record them. List their details in the Minimum contribution details table. You can use the blank certificate to help with this.
• The certificate must be completed and signed within one month of the effective date shown in the Certificate details for category section. You must then store the signed certificate, along with any data or evidence linked to it, for at least six years after it expires. In other words, six years from the end of the certification period shown in the Certificate details for category section. You must provide a copy of your certificate to a relevant jobholder, trade union or The Pensions Regulator if requested. 

Staying on top of your certification duties

You're responsible for ensuring your scheme continues to meet the required standards. This includes keeping your pension scheme certificate up to date and making any necessary changes. Here's what you need to do:

• If you need to update or change your certificate, you can use the blank certificate to help you.
• If you're planning to change your scheme’s contribution levels or certification, you must let us know before making any changes.
• Consider how you’ll continue to meet the minimum quality requirements before your certificate expires.
• If you’re planning to renew your certificate, make sure this is completed within one month of the expiry date.
• We’ll issue an updated certificate based on the contribution rates in your scheme documentation at that time.

If you are no longer planning to offer a qualifying scheme, or if you plan to change contribution levels, you must let us know. Please give details of these changes using the online form.