The Pensions Regulator is set to remind more than 1.5 million small and micro employers of their auto-enrolment duties from the end of January.

The watchdog said it will sent out letters in the coming months with the aim of ensuring all SMEs are aware of their staging dates by the end of the summer.

TPR has previously conducted research that found “significant numbers” of SMEs still do not yet know of their staging dates.

As part of the current communications process in place, the regulator writes to employers a year before their staging date.

The new 'all-employer mail out' is in addition to this regular activity and will also urge employers to provide e-mail contact details to the regulator so it can provide them with regular reminders and updates as their individual staging date approaches.

TPR executive director of AE Charles Counsell said auto-enrolment affects every employer in the UK and “they need to take timely action to get ready”.

“The roll out of automatic enrolment has so far been a success and this letter will ensure that by the summer all small and micros are clear about when their duties begin, enabling them to plan ahead,” Counsell said.

“From the end of January, letters will be sent out on a gradual basis over a number of months, so employers should not worry if they don’t receive theirs straight away. In the meantime, all employers can look up their staging date on our website.”

At the end of last year, the regulator announced more than five million workers have already been auto-enrolled by their employers.

Counsell said TPR knows from its own research that “more than one million employers” will be seeking help on AE in the coming year.

“Our message for advisers is clear: be prepared for clients to approach you about automatic enrolment. Let your clients know to look out for a letter from The Pensions Regulator in the coming months,” he added.

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