Follow our step-by-step guide to setting up now:u so you can use it to manage your pension and upload your files.
Step 1: Check your payroll
Before you set up your workplace pension, you’ll need to check your payroll can produce data files in the correct format to work with now:pensions. Our system works with most payroll software.
You’ll need to be able to download a CSV file with details of your workers and the payments they make to their pension savings. This is your pension data file and it drives everything to do with auto enrolment.
Find out more about pension data files.
Step 2: Set up now:u
Go to now:u.
Put in your name, your organisation’s name, your email address and mobile number. To use your email address as your username, leave Use email address as username ticked. If that name’s not available, choose another username (it doesn’t have to be an email address).
Set your password.
Once you’ve ticked the next couple of boxes choose Continue and Send security code.
We’ll send a 6-digit security code to the email address you gave us. Put it in and choose Confirm. If the code is correct you’ll go to Almost there! Put in your username and last name and Submit. You’ll see Nearly done and a message asking you to confirm your mobile number when you first log in.
You can now log in using your username and password.
Step 3: Set up your workplace account
Once you’ve logged in to now:u, go to Organisation details and fill in the details it asks for.
You’ll need to choose a primary contact for your organisation (which can be you or someone else) and confirm whether or not you work with a payroll bureau.
Find out more about setting up your workplace account.
Step 4: Set up your payroll
This is where you add your first payroll and the bank account you’ll use to pay your workplace contributions.
Find out more about setting up your first payroll.
Step 5: Choose your contribution model
Your contribution model sets the contributions you and your workers pay to the pension.
Find out more about setting up your contribution model.
Step 6: Set how you’ll pay your workplace charges
You can use the same bank details you use for your contributions. Or, you can add different bank details.
Step 7: Approve your participation agreement
When you’ve filled in all the details, you’ll get a participation agreement (your contract with us) to approve.
Once you’ve approved it, we’ll email you to confirm your application has been completed. You can then start uploading pension data files to your workplace pension.
Almost there?
If there’s something you’re not authorised to do – such as set up a Direct Debit or sign the participation agreement – or we need to make extra checks, you’ll go to Almost there! This screen will tell you what’s happening and whether you need to do something, such as invite someone to sign the Direct Debit or participation agreement.
