Making partial or zero contributions
In this section
How do I tell NEST a member isn’t due to make full contributions for this pay period by file upload or file transfer?
If there are zero or partial contributions due for a member you’ll need to let us know through the contribution schedule file for that pay period.
Select the reason from the drop down menu in field nine, ‘Reason for partial or non-payment of contributions’. If the member hasn’t earned enough in the pay period select reason five, ‘Member has insufficient earnings’.
An explanation of the options in the drop down menu is listed below.
| Reason for partial or non-payment of contributions | What it means |
|---|---|
| Reason code 1 - No further contributions payable | You can use this option to tell us a member has stopped working for you, if the member would like to stop making contributions or if you no longer need to use NEST as a pension provider for the member. Once you’ve submitted the schedule for payment, the member won’t appear in any future contribution schedules. You can see more information about this in Making partial or zero contributions. |
| Reason code 3 - Member is on family leave | You can tell us about any members on family leave which includes maternity leave, paternity leave, adoption leave and parental leave. You’ll need to let us know that the member is still on family leave in each contribution schedule until they return to or leave your organisation. You can tell NEST a member is on family leave through your online account or by uploading a file. |
| Reason code 5 - Member has insufficient earnings | You can use this option if a member’s earnings dip below the minimum threshold for a contribution. You may also use this option if a member has been on unpaid leave. You’ll need to let us know if the member hasn’t earned enough in each contribution schedule until they earn enough to make a contribution again. You can tell NEST a member has insufficient earnings through your online account or by uploading a file. |
| Reason code 6 - Transferring member to a different payment source | You can use this option to change the member to a new payment source. This will move the member to a new contribution schedule with that payment source. You’ll also need to let us know the effective date of the change. This is the first day that the member’s contributions will be paid from the new payment source. You can change a member’s payment source online or by uploading a file. |
| Reason code 7 - Change member groups and pay contributions | You can use this option to move the member to a new group and make any outstanding payments if the member is changing to a new group part of the way through an earnings period. You’ll also need to let us know the effective date of the change. This is the first day that the member’s contributions will be made through the new group. You can change a member’s group through your online account or by uploading a file. |
| Reason code 8 - Group changed – pay for new and old group | You’ll need to use this option when you’ve already completed a group change through the Manage workers area of your online account. You’ll need to use this reason code if you’ve used an effective date that falls in the earnings period that is covered by both the old group and the new group. If both the old group and the new group appear in the same schedule you’ll need to use this reason code. |
| Reason code 9 - Member has opted out | You can use this option if a member has given you a completed paper opt-out form during their opt-out period. You’ll also need to enter the unique reference number from the form and confirm that the member submitted the form within the allowed opt-out period. You can tell NEST a member has opted-out through your online account or by uploading a file. |
| Reason code 10 - Pay for more than one enrolment type | You can use this option if a worker has been re-enrolled with a different enrolment type part way through an earnings period. You’ll need to pay for both enrolment types separately. |
| Reason code 12 - Change of payment source and group | You can use this option if you need to move a member to a new group and payment source at the same time. You’ll also need to let us know the effective date of the change. This is the first day that the member’s contributions will be made through the new group and payment source. You can change a member’s group and payment source at the same time through your online account or by uploading a file. |
You can see more information about how to make contributions by file upload in Where do I upload my completed CSV file to submit contributions?
If you’re facing difficulty to complete a contribution schedule by file upload please see How do I fix errors in my contribution file? for more information.
You can also see the Employer payroll guide (PDF) for detailed guidance on creating files with our file formats.
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