As a UK employer, you have a legal responsibility to enrol eligible employees into your workplace pension scheme. When you add your eligible jobholders to the Cushon Employer Portal, they will receive an email with important details about the Cushon pension, including instructions for opting out.
Opting Out (Within the First Month)
If an employee wishes to opt out, they can call the Cushon phone line on 020 3764 2016 and provide notice using their unique 6-digit access code, which is shared in the email.
Once an employee opts out, you will receive an email notification. Opt-out records are also available in the "Employee Requests" section of the Cushon Employer Portal. You should also:
Record the opt-out date in your payroll system
Stop any future pension deductions
Process refunds to the employee in the next pay run
Employees opting out within one month of joining Cushon are eligible for refunds of any contributions already paid. Cushon will refund these contributions to your bank account; you should then return any payments deducted from salary to the employee through your next pay run, subject to Income Tax and National Insurance as usual.
Leaving the Cushon Pension/Ceasing Membership (After the First Month)
"Opting out" refers to leaving the Cushon pension within the first month of enrolment, which entitles the member to a refund of contributions.
If an employee wishes to leave after the first month, this is called "ceasing membership". To cease membership, employees can call the Cushon phone line at 020 3764 2016 and provide notice using their unique 6-digit access code, as detailed in their email.
You will receive an email notifying you that the employee has left the Cushon pension and that no refund is due as it was outside of the first month. Records of these requests are also available in the "Employee Requests" section of the employer portal.
When an employee ceases membership, future contributions stop but the existing pension pot remains invested. Employees are not eligible for a refund; contributions stay in their account.
You must ensure your employees opt out or cease membership voluntarily. You must not persuade or coerce your employees to opt out of their workplace pension scheme.
Seeing opt-out requests in the Cushon Employer Portal
When an employee has opted out during their opt-out period they will show in the Employee Requests section of the Cushon Employer Portal. You will also be notified of these opt-outs separately by email.