Do I have to join the pension scheme?

No, if you want to you can refuse to join, or leave at any time. However, for your employer it is legal to:

• assume you will join unless you actively opt out
• require you to discuss it with somebody first, and get you and your spouse to sign a document to say that you realise what you are giving up.

Our strong view is that you should generally join an occupational scheme unless there is some very special reason not to. In almost every case you are taking an effective pay cut, because you will lose the employer's contribution.