Processing Active Members at Colleges

Please make sure that new employees are on the correct cost plan or tier if they have come from the University or another college.

If a member is changing cost plan or tier from 1 April we will let you know as soon as possible after this date. If a member gives you an annual change of cost plan or tier form please forward it on to us.

We will reconcile the contributions taken to the salaries declared. Please make sure you tell us if there is a reason why there might be an error, such as maternity pay. If a member has changed their hours please tell us the new hours and whole time equivalent salary.

If there is a new member or a member has left please remember to send the appropriate Starter or Leaver forms. New Investment Builder members should be put on the starter spreadsheet (xlsx).

If you pay by cheque the cheque should be with us by the last day of the month. If you pay by electronic transfer the money should be in our bank by the seventh calendar day of the following month.

If a member goes onto reduced pay due to maternity or family leave then they pay the contributions on the pay they receive and you make up the difference between this and the full contributions due. This includes any AVCs. Here is an example for a member on the standard cost plan as at May 2019.

If a member goes onto no pay neither you nor they pay any contributions. Once they return you should calculate the amount they and you would have paid if they had been at work normally during the unpaid leave period. You should adjust this if they have changed cost plan or tier at 1 April.

You should then ask the member if they wish to pay the missing employee contributions. If they do then you have to pay the missing employer contributions. If they do not you should make a note on the monthly return and send us Notification of absence ABS1 form (pdf) .

If a member goes onto reduced pay due to sickness then both you and they have to pay the contributions you would have paid had the member been working normally. Here is an example for a member on the standard cost plan as at May 2019.

If this would cause hardship the member can suspend paying contributions until they return to work provided they let us know in writing.

If a member goes onto no pay neither you nor they pay any contributions. Once they return you should calculate the amount they and you would have paid if they had been at work normally during the unpaid leave period. You should adjust this if they have changed cost plan or tier at 1 April.

You should then ask the member if they wish to pay the missing employee and employer contributions. If you are willing to pay the missing employer contributions then the employee only has to pay the missing employee contributions. If they do not wish to pay you should make a note on the monthly return and send us a Notification of absence ABS1 form (pdf) .

When a member returns from other unpaid leave the situation is as for returning from unpaid sick leave.