Calculate your qualifying earnings.
UK auto-enrolment minimums are usually based on the slice of pay between £6,240 and £50,270, not your full salary. Enter your salary to see the employer minimum, total minimum, and what the percentage really means.
Direct answer: what are qualifying earnings?
Qualifying earnings are the band of earnings used for the main auto-enrolment minimum contribution calculation. For 2026/27, the annual band runs from £6,240 to £50,270.
The legal minimum is 8% of qualifying earnings in total, including at least 3% from the employer. That is why a payslip showing 3% employer and 5% employee may be lower in pounds than you expect: the percentage may be applied to the qualifying band, not to the whole salary.
- ▸For 2026/27, the standard annual qualifying earnings band is £6,240 to £50,270. [The Pensions Regulator]
- ▸The minimum total automatic enrolment contribution is 8%, including a minimum employer contribution of 3%. [GOV.UK]
- ▸In most automatic enrolment schemes, contributions are based on total earnings between £6,240 and £50,270 a year before tax. [GOV.UK]
- ▸The automatic enrolment earnings trigger remains £10,000 for 2026/27. [GOV.UK]
How to calculate qualifying earnings
For an annual salary, the standard calculation is:
| Salary | Qualifying earnings | Employer minimum | Total minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| £15,000 | £8,760 | £262.80 | £700.80 |
| £30,000 | £23,760 | £712.80 | £1,900.80 |
| £50,000 | £43,760 | £1,312.80 | £3,500.80 |
| £100,000 | £44,030 | £1,320.90 | £3,522.40 |
Qualifying earnings versus full salary
Some employers calculate pension contributions on full salary or basic pay instead of the qualifying earnings band. That is usually better for the worker, because more money goes into the pension.
The important check is the cash amount. If your employer contribution is at least 3% of qualifying earnings, and total contributions clear 8% of qualifying earnings, the standard minimum is normally met. If your employer contributes on full salary, the contribution will usually exceed the qualifying earnings floor.
FAQ
What is the minimum auto-enrolment contribution?
The legal minimum total contribution under UK auto-enrolment is 8% of qualifying earnings, of which at least 3% must come from the employer. The remaining 5% comes from the employee, including tax relief where applicable. These percentages are usually calculated on qualifying earnings - the slice of salary between £6,240 and £50,270 for 2026/27 - not on full salary.
Is my employer paying the legal minimum into my pension?
Check your payslip for the employer contribution amount. Compare it against 3% of your qualifying earnings: salary capped at £50,270, minus £6,240. If the cash amount is at least that figure, your employer is meeting the legal floor. If it is less, contact your HR team first, and escalate to The Pensions Regulator if the issue is not resolved.
What are qualifying earnings?
Qualifying earnings are the band of earnings between £6,240 and £50,270 for 2026/27. Only the portion of your pay inside this band counts for the standard statutory auto-enrolment minimum. Someone earning £100,000 has qualifying earnings of £44,030, and the legal employer minimum is 3% of £44,030 = £1,320.90, not 3% of £100,000.
Is the 8% pension minimum based on my full salary?
Usually no. In most automatic enrolment schemes, the 8% minimum is based on qualifying earnings, which are the earnings between £6,240 and £50,270 in 2026/27. Some employers use full salary or another certified pensionable-pay basis, which can produce higher contributions.
Does auto-enrolment apply to everyone?
No. Automatic enrolment covers workers aged at least 22 and under State Pension age who ordinarily work in the UK and earn more than the earnings trigger, currently £10,000 a year. Workers outside those rules may still have pension rights, such as a right to opt in or join, depending on their earnings and circumstances.
Can an employer use full salary instead of qualifying earnings?
Yes. Some employers calculate workplace pension contributions on basic pay, full salary or another pensionable-pay definition, provided the scheme meets the automatic enrolment quality requirements or certification rules. If contributions are based on full salary, the cash paid into the pension is usually higher than the qualifying-earnings minimum.