RPSM02306130 - Scheme Administrator Pages: Registering a pension scheme with HMRC: Scheme administrator's role in the registration process: How do I link myself to a pension scheme if the scheme is already registered or was automatically registered?

How do I link myself to a pension scheme if the scheme is already registered or was automatically registered?

You must firstly be registered (see RPSM02306100) for Pension Schemes Online for Scheme Administrators.

If the pension scheme was registered on or after 6 April 2006 or it was in existence on 5 April 2006 and a scheme administrator is known to HMRC, you need to check with the scheme administrator who registered the pension scheme, or the scheme administrator who is already known to HMRC that they have notified HMRC you are to be a scheme administrator. They do this by using ‘Associate another Scheme Administrator’ function from the “Scheme Administrator management” page (see RPSM12307220). To do this the other scheme administrator will need your Scheme Administrator ID which was given to you when you pre-registered - see RPSM02306110.

Once they have successfully done this, or if there is no scheme administrator known to HMRC, you can then add yourself to the pension scheme by logging in using your user ID and password (see RPSM02306100 and RPSM02306110). You then

• select Pension Schemes for Administrators from your list of services, and
• select either the HMRC free Pensions Product link or the 3^rd Party Software link under "File your forms and returns", then
• if you use HMRC's free Pensions Product, select the "Add yourself as Scheme Administrator" link under "Administration".

You will be asked for the following details

• the pension scheme name
• the Pension Scheme Tax Reference (PSTR).

But if the scheme was in existence on 5 April 2006 and a scheme administrator is not known by HMRC, you will not have a PSTR, so you will be asked instead for the "SF" reference or the policy or contract number.

If the scheme was in existence on or before 5 April 2006, you will also be asked whether you became a scheme administrator before 6 April 2006.

If you became a scheme administrator on or after 6 April 2006, you will be presented with a declaration to complete, as required by section 270 Finance Act 2004 (see RPSM02306040). If you became the scheme administrator before 6 April 2006, you will not be presented with this declaration.

Your details will be pre-populated but you should check they are correct. If they are not, when you have completed and filed your declaration, you should use the "View or amend your details" link under "Administration" to update them.

If the information is successfully validated you will receive a message confirming we have received it, and giving you the PSTR if you used an SF reference or a policy or contract number to add yourself to the pension scheme.

You will then be added to the scheme.

Twenty four hours later you will be able to view the pension scheme details held on Pension Schemes Online. You will also be able to use ‘Associate Scheme Administrator’ (see RPSM12307220) to notify us of other scheme administrators, so they can add themselves to the scheme.