UK reward metrics · Pensions & Savings

What is the default employee contribution rate for auto-enrolled joiners (above statutory minimum)?

Source lumi HRBase 235 organisationsFieldwork 2026 H1

81.3%Statutory minimum only

81.3% of organisations in the lumi HR community answered “Statutory minimum only” on default contribution for auto-enrolled joiners (base: 235 UK organisations, 2026 H1).

Figures describe organisations in the lumi HR community, not a random sample of UK employers.

How UK organisations answered

Statutory minimum only 81.3% 1-2pp above 8.9% 3pp+ above 5.5% Opt-up default (auto-escalation) 4.3%
Default contribution for auto-enrolled joiners (base: 235 organisations, 2026 H1). Percentages percentages may not sum to 100 because of rounding.
Default contribution for auto-enrolled joiners: share of organisations by answer
AnswerShare of organisations
Statutory minimum onlycommon81.3%
1-2pp aboverare8.9%
3pp+ aboverare5.5%
Opt-up default (auto-escalation)rare4.3%

Common, alternative and rare describe how each answer sits against the community: the most chosen answer is common; an answer chosen by fewer than one in five organisations is rare.

Definition

Captures the default employee pension contribution for auto-enrolled joiners, measured as percentage points above the statutory minimum. See the methodology for how the base is built, how not-applicable answers are handled, the public floor, and which organisations are excluded.

Cite this figure
Source: lumi HR, UK Reward Metrics, September 2026, lumihr.co.uk/metrics/default-contribution-for-auto-enrolled-joiners
Last updated 19 September 2026 · Data licence: CC BY 4.0 for the figures in the CSV download.

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