Simple Advice Ltd

05/03/2026

Another review with The Pensions Regulator successfully won.

TPR alleged that the evidence provided was not sufficient and were demanding compliance with NEST when the evidence of compliance provided was through another pension provider.

I questioned the point of law on which they were relying and pointed out that compliance was compliance.

Six months later - yes six months. And after many many emails and blockages from TPR we win.

My client is delighted.

So always challenge TPR is you believe they are wrong - I haven't lost a review yet.

I offer pension penalty reviews and rectification work as a stand alone service so please do reach out if you would like me to help you or your clients.

12/02/2026

HMRC tell me that I can now do data protection using just my voice and that it is safe and secure?

How I wonder, bearing in mind AI could clone my voice and all of my published knowledge...

Anyone know how?

Or is HMRC lagging behind again?

I could ask them but I don't want to wait on hold to get to someone with the training of the tea lady only to be hung up on after 46 minutes. Not twice in the same day anyway....

12/12/2025

Real people are needed for real life...

10/10/2025

Workplace pension companies are all the same many people think.

However compare the following stories which are real and both in the last month

Nest

Hello Nest, it seems that I cannot access any of my 3 accounts with you - again. I have to have 3 because of working with different accountants and your system.

Nest "could you try another browser"

Me - yep that doesn't work either

Nest - could you clear your cookies and cache daily - that should solve it

Me - Nope as that will cause me problems with other apps and websites

Nest - sorry madam we have no other options to offer

Collegia

Hi Collegia - I am getting a blank screen when I click to upload contributions

Collegia - send a screenshot we will look straight away

me - sends screenshot

Collegia - we have tested our end and have no other reports of similar, could you try in an incognito window and a different browser

Me - sure, did that, got the same problem

Collegia - ok please give us access to your specific account and we will investigate specifically

Me - did that

Collegia - a few hours later. we have found the problem and fixed it, please try now and let us know

2 observations - Collegia were interested in fixing the problem even though it was only affecting me and did personalised responses

Nest were uninterested and were unaware of real life.

20/08/2025

Another good result for a client. They had got behind on their pension payments and filing. The Pension Regulator had started a £500 a day fine. This had escalated to £5,000 by the time things were up to date and compliant.

I appealed and despite being out of time, technically, TPR carried out a review and scrapped the £5000 fine.

That's a pretty good return for the client based on the small fee he paid me.

Happy to do appeals and reviews for non clients - DM me if you want a 2nd opinion on whether I can reduce or remove your pension fines.

06/08/2025

Don't be an Ostrich and stick your head in the sand when it comes to workplace pensions.

In the last month I have been contacted by one employer who owed £5,400 in fines to The Pension Regulator. He wanted me to make the fine go away - I can't do that but I can stop it getting bigger.

Another employer was using me to keep his pension up to date but stopped paying me 6 monts ago and cancelled his direct debit with the pension company. He has just received a letter announcing an escalating penalty of £500 per day. Yes, per day! He has been in touch and the pension is up to date again. I may be able to get the fine revoked on this one. I'll try.

As with any problem, the key is to take action and if you don't have enough resources yourself get professional help.

30/07/2025

HMRC have no idea what they are doing it seems.

Today a client has a letter from The Pension Regulator which includes one of the two PAYE references but the PAYE references haven't been issued to the payroll provider.

One pension provider (Collegia) will allow you to set up a pension without the PAYE reference numbers.

HMRC told me that they are 2 months behind in issuing PAYE references to new businesses. That's a long time to cause cashflow and tax problems for employees and employers.

Different HMRC departments have no idea what the other does or how it works so it is pretty common for payroll providers and accountants to bear the brunt when the problem is actually with HMRC.

03/06/2025

Feeling excited.

We have won another award.

This time Best Payroll & Workplace Pension Admin Services Provider 2025 - South East England

In Worldwide Finance Awards.

28/04/2025

So many people ask "is it ok if the amount I pay myself or staff is different to the amount on the payslip and not on the same day?"

The answer is no. HMRC require you to submit payslips on or before payment is made and for the amount that someone is paid.

You can take income however you see fit as a director but if you want £2,500 salary, then pay the correct amount to yourself.

06/02/2025

Winner of the SME Awards Payroll and Workplace Pension Specialist South East 2024

It's great to have won for another year. We also won in 2023

The Enrolment Professionals is one of the 2024 winners of Finance Awards.

21/11/2024

Good news for a client of ours today.

We successfully appealed a £14,000 fine