Automatic pension enrolment FAQ

Automatic pension enrolment FAQ by Michael Cheary 1. What is automatic enrolment into a workplace pension?Automatic enrolment into workplace pensions is a government initiative set up in October 2012, which requires all employers to enrol their workers into a workplace pension scheme if they are not already in one.It’s intended to benefit those who may not be saving enough to have the kind of lifestyle they’re likely to want for their retirement, and to provide another source of income on top of the State Pension.2. How does it work?Unlike other ways of saving, being in a workplace pension means you’re not the only one putting money in. Employers will contribute to the pot as well, and you’ll get tax relief from the government. This means that some of your money that would have gone to the government as tax, goes into your pension instead.The criteria for eligible workers is those who:• are not already in a qualifying workplace pension scheme• are aged 22 or over• are under State Pension age†¢ earn more than a minimum amount a year ( £10,000 in 2015-16)• work or usually work in the UK.3. When will automatic enrolment into a workplace pension affect me?Changes in the law came into effect from October 2012 starting with the largest employers (120,000 or more workforce) who enrolled their workers first.   Over the next few years, based on their size, all employers will have to automatically enrol all workers in to a workplace pension who meet the criteria above.Employers will write to their workers nearer the time, telling them the exact date that the changes will be made.For further details about ‘staging’ dates visit www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/staging.4. Why should I bother with a workplace pension?People are living longer, and spending longer in retirement than ever before. So thinking about how you’ll fund it is important.Plus, you won’t be the only one contributing to your workplace pension. Your employer and the government also make contributions (the latter in the form of tax relief), allowing your money to build up more quickly than if you were saving for your retirement on your own.5. Am I too old to start a pension?Being in a workplace pension is worth considering, even if you think you’re too old. Unless your retirement is just a few months away, there’s still time to build up some money â€" especially with the extra contributions from your employer and through tax relief.6. Am I too young to start a pension? Being in a workplace pension is especially beneficial if you start when you’re young. Just a small amount saved regularly has plenty of time to grow. And the sooner you start saving, the more you’ll get.7. How much will I get from my workplace pension when I retire?Your life may change a lot when you retire. This means your household finances may be very different too.It’s possible to get an idea of how much you will get from your workplace pension by getting a ‘pension estimate’ (sometimes called a ‘pen sion projection’). You can get this from your pension scheme provider. They may also have an online calculator that can help you work out the income you may get when you retire.Have a look at this workplace pension contribution calculator to work out how much you and your employer will each put into your pension pot https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/tools/workplace-pension-contribution-calculator8. Will I be forced to save into a workplace pension?No. Workers can opt out if they don’t feel a workplace pension is right for them.However, to try and encourage people to save for their retirement, employers will automatically enrol eligible workers back into their scheme at regular intervals (around every three years). This is because your circumstances may have changed and the time may then be right for you to start saving.Your employer will contact you at the time and you can choose to stay in the workplace pension scheme or opt out.9. What happens to my workplace pension i f I move jobs?Your workplace pension belongs to you, even if you leave your employer in the future. Nowadays lots of people move jobs several times in their working lives, which could mean you have a number of different workplace pensions by the time you retire.10. Should I open a workplace pension if I’m already paying into a personal pension?It’s possible to have both a workplace pension and your own personal pension, so you could choose to continue paying into both. Or you might choose to continue with just one of them. It depends on your circumstances, what you can afford and what your personal and workplace pension schemes are offering.11. I’m on a low income and can’t really afford to pay into a pensionBeing in a workplace pension is still worth considering, even if you think you’re too young or on a low income. Just a small amount saved regularly has plenty of time to grow. And the sooner you start saving, the more you’ll get at the end.Remember that any money you put into a pension scheme is not ‘lost’ income. It’s simply stored away and saved for your retirement, when you’re really likely to value it.Realistically, we all know that pensions can go up as well as down, but analysis suggests that for over 95 per cent that improvement is greater than the cost of the contribution, even after allowing for inflation. For over 70 per cent, the expected improvement is more than twice what they put in.To find out more about what automatic enrolment into a workplace pension means for you and the benefits of staying enrolled, visit www.gov.uk/workplacepensionsFind a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the Salaries

6 Podcasts Youll Love and Learn From

6 Podcasts You’ll Love and Learn From Whether you spend 2 hours a day commuting, or have a few minutes to spare before you fall asleep in the evenings, podcasts are a brilliant low-effort way of amusing and educating yourself. These can range from edited versions of regular radio shows to podcast only broadcasts, and come in a huge spectrum of topics. If at They can range from edited versions of regular radio shows to podcast-only broadcasts, and come in a huge spectrum of topics. If at first you can’t find anything to tickle your fancy, keep looking and you’re bound to come across something you like. Here are our favourite podcasts to get you started in your search: 1) Woman’s Hour If you haven’t come across this bastion of British radio culture, get listening. Jenny Murry and Jane Garvey lead their listeners on a journey through subjects ranging from leadership and science to breakups and ageing, all through the lens of the female experience. 2) The Economist If you’ve ever wanted to understand financial markets or haven’t quite got to grips with the political situation and how this might affect the amount of cash you have to splash, listen to the Economist. Rather than having to trawl through heaps of text, you’ll be able to listen to the soothing tones of professional broadcasters as they explain the current economic situation to you. 3) Desert Island Discs Have you ever wondered what you would listen to if you were stranded on a desert island with only a few musical tracks to chart the progress of your life? Well, this is what various celebrities and celebrated figures have been doing for years on this brilliant radio show, which you can now download as a podcast. From Ed Sheeran to Levi Roots, the range of figures whose lives are discussed is incredibly broad, and will certainly teach you something about various different social backgrounds and careers. 4) In Our Time Melvyn Bragg and his assembled guests lead us on a voyage of discovery through the ideas and thought processes of people across the ages in this much-loved show. Whether you’re interested in philosophy, religion, or simply want to know ‘how not to be a Victorian woman’, there will be something here to spark your interest. 5) TED Talks The now famous TED talk events began in 1984 with a single conference, and have since grown to achieve global acclaim, holding events all over the world every year. Each talk from a different speaker tackles a completely new topic from a new light, meaning that exciting new concepts lie around every corner. Whilst there are a multitude of talks available online, sorted into their many categories, the podcast will bring you a fascinating selection of new talks in categories you may not have picked out for yourself. 6) The Infinite Monkey Cage Brian Cox leads us into unchartered territory in this brilliant show which pairs comedy and science to make concepts both large and small more accessible to a multitude of listeners. This is a fast-paced science podcast, with a large range of speakers covering a large range of topics, from Frankenstein and the discovery of new particles to the science of gender and love. This is a fast-paced science podcast, with a large range of speakers covering a large range of topics, from Frankenstein and the discovery of new particles to the science of gender and love. Alexandra Jane writes for Inspiring Interns, which help career starters and interns succeed in the workplace. To browse their  graduate jobs, including mobile jobs, visit their website.

Marketing Manager Cover Letter Sample - Algrim.co

Marketing Manager Cover Letter Sample - Algrim.co Marketing Manager Cover Letter Template Download our cover letter template in Word format. Instant download. No email required. Download Template Related Hiring Resources Digital Marketing Manager Job Description Sample Marketing Manager Job Description Marketing Manager Resume Example

Security Guard Job Description Sample - Algrim.co

Security Guard Job Description Sample - Algrim.co Security Guard Job Description Template Download our job description template in Word or PDF format. Instant download. No email required. Download Template Using Your Template Follow these instructions to use your new job description template Step one: Fill out all details in your job description template using the provided sample on this page. Step two: Customize your requirements or duties to anything special to your workplace. Be sure to speak with team members and managers to gauge what's required of the position. Step three: When the census of the team has agreed on the description of the work, add in a Equal Employment Opportunity statement to the bottom of your job description. Step four: Check with your legal department, management team, and other team members to ensure the job description looks correct before creating a job advertisement. Choose a job board that's specific to your needs.

How to Write a Resume - When Should I Use Past Tense?

How to Write a Resume - When Should I Use Past Tense?You're in the middle of writing a resume and you need to know how to tell if you should write in past tense in your current position or the past. You want to be careful when writing in past tense, especially if you're not sure if you'll still be working there next week.First, let's talk about the job title you have now. If you're still in the same job, you will likely be writing in past tense. If you're still in a different job, however, you might be tempted to change it to the present tense. Unfortunately, this can cause more problems than it solves.The problem with using the present tense when writing a resume is that it leaves future possibilities open. When the boss says you're going to go on vacation for the summer, he doesn't need to say that you're going to take off and work for him again in August.If you go on vacation, he could choose to work for you again next summer and leave your future prospects open again. It's much b etter to avoid the possibility of leaving your future prospects open by writing in past tense.This is also a good time to list your skills and accomplishments on your resume. If you've only recently been promoted to a new position, you should not use the past tense. Instead, list your responsibilities as an employee before you were promoted.If you plan to move up at some point in the future, list your tasks and responsibilities as an employee when you were promoted. This information won't be available to the potential employer until the future date, but if you are hired, you should be able to count it against your time as a team member.Since your future possibilities will never be completely closed, don't assume you'll be able to use the past tense the whole time. If the opportunity to move up comes up in the future, you should still use the past tense. Just change the date to be the current date.When writing a resume, be aware of what the boss may be tempted to do in the future. It 's not a good idea to change the present tense on a resume to keep your future opportunities open.

Motivation Monday Control!

Motivation Monday Control! This week, lets get un-stuck!   Lets take control! Each day, each hour, be purposeful in the activities and thoughts you are engaged in. I.D. 5 Target Companies You Would Want to Work For If you dont already have 5 companies selected, you may be wondering how you do this.   You could identify competitors to your previous employer.   You could select companies you had once interviewed with or old job postings.   Maybe some of your past co-workers are working in companies you would want to work for. Use LinkedIn Find and follow these 5 companies on LinkedIn.   Literally, click on the follow company button on the right-hand side of their profile. See if you have any 1st degree connections. (If yes, these are people you will contact this week) Note the activity within the company (new hires or news or blog posts or tweets) You should subscribe to their blog and follow them on Twitter if they are using those tools. Check out the insightful stats on the company over in the right-hand column. Now,   you can see if they have careers posted, but you are not going to apply yet! Go to the Company Website Read the site. Become familiar with their mission, new projects, executive leadership. You are going to want to take notes and keep them somewhere so you can refer back to them. Develop Your List of Questions Based on your initial research of these 5 companies, what questions do you want answered?   Questions about their business!   Where are they going?   What are their challenges?   What makes their company a great place to work? You are NOT asking questions about job openings.   You are learning about the company to see if it is a place you would want to work. Here are some Questions to ask during networking to get you thinking in the right way. Search Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter for Contacts First, of course, you want to tap into your personal network of friends and family to see if they know someone who works at one of these 5 companies.   Go ahead, ask them Who do you know who works for Now search on all three of these platforms to see who you know who works in these companies now or who used to work there. Call them!   Email them directly.   Systematically reach out to each one of them THIS WEEK.   If you dont connect, try again in a couple of days. People are busy and may have overlooked your message or perhaps even deleted it.   Dont take it personally.   It happens. If you dont have any direct connections within these companies, then youll have to go back to your friends and family to see if they recognize any of the names and could make an introduction on your behalf.   Ask, youll never know. Out and About As you run errands or attend events, look for opportunities to ask people you meet about these 5 target companies.   What do you know about XYZ company?   Ive identified them as a company I might be interested in. Change How You Spend Your Time You want to speak to people. You dont want to get lost in the piles of resumes and online applications.   If there is a great job, you MUST find someone inside the company to talk to, either right before or right after you apply.   You just MUST! Changing your approach this way will give you a feeling of being in control.   Responding to job postings is re-active.   Reaching out to people is pro-active!

4 Ways to Negotiate a Higher Salary

4 Ways to Negotiate a Higher Salary 6 Flares 6 Flares Asking for more money is never an easy task, especially when you’re already in the role. But if you don’t, you’ll miss the opportunity to earn more.   Here are four ways to negotiate your way up the salary ladder from Robert Half. Ask and you might receive In the workplace, money is often seen as a taboo topic most of us want to avoid. But as the adage goes: if you don’t ask, you don’t get. When it comes to measuring your worth in dollars and cents there are lots of variables to consider, including the industry you work in, the current economic environment and the type of work you’re doing. If you’ve actually managed to secure a time to see your manager to talk about your salary, consider yourself halfway there. It’s a positive sign that he or she is receptive to what you have to say. Now you have to make it worth listening to. Here are four ways to ask for what you want. 1. Be a proactive problem solver When you ask for a pay raise, talk about the big picture. Flip the conversation around from what the company should do for you to demonstrate what you already do for the company â€" highlight the ways you are solving problems, meeting challenges and helping the business grow. What’s happening at the top level? What’s keeping your employer up at night? If they have a problem, offer solutions, and make sure you follow through on these suggestions. If your boss asks for help, jump on board â€" even if it’s not within your responsibilities. And where relevant, take the initiative to start projects that will add value to your company’s services to clients. It’s this additional 10 per cent effort that could earn you a pay rise.   2. Show them what you’re worth Kristi Hedges, a contributor for Forbes, advises you to talk about your future performance and not your past. “From a company’s perspective, the only reason to be paid more is because you will deliver more in the future.” But it doesn’t hurt to remind them about your accomplishments to date. Talk specifically about your role in projects, campaigns or other notable milestones for the company, then look to the future and the challenges you aspire to tackle next. Remember to convey what you take on beyond your current accountabilities. Illustrate what you do that nobody else is doing in your role. In marketing speak, it’s all about highlighting your unique selling point. 3. Speak their language What kind of manager or employer do you have? If they are a numbers person, make your case for a raise with tangible data. Show them you’ve brought in 20 per cent more business or highlight the fact that you’ve secured positive media coverage for the company, which has helped build brand awareness. If they value creativity, give them ideas or content. Remember, you don’t have to be the creative director to come up with a good idea. 4. Check out market rates Do your homework and find out what others in your field are getting paid. Check career and salary sites such as Robert Half’s Salary Guides and LinkedIn â€" some job listings include a salary. Also, ask people in your professional network, people you trust, what they think you are worth. Balance this research with the financial realities of the job market. For example, the ABS reports Australia’s unemployment rate rose to 5.7 per cent last month. But while it’s important to know about the current economic conditions to inform your salary negotiations, they shouldn’t stop you from asking for a higher salary in the first place. As Amy Gallo of the Harvard Business Review says, “Regardless of the state of the market, you should always negotiate.” In the workplace, asking for a salary hike is not just about money â€" it’s also connected to workplace perception, professional recognition and job satisfaction. If the answer is “no” Don’t be discouraged and don’t be afraid to ask for another review in three or six months’ time. Always ask for feedback and the reasons why your application has been dismissed, and make sure you respond to these before the next review. Remember, in today’s job market, it’s not enough to do your job â€" you have to excel at it and constantly prove your worth.