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Setup a Nest Pension Ready for API Integration

In Pension Settings under Company Setup, you can + Add Pension Scheme.

Pensions settings screen

You need to find all the information about your NEST pension scheme before you add it to Shape. Then you can add the following information.

Provider and Pension settings

Information needed to set up a NEST pension sheme.
  • Employer reference - This can be found on your NEST dashboard and is also known as NEST emplyer ID - it normally has the following format - EMPnnnnnnnnn. For example - EMP123456789. The EMP should always be entered as capitals.

  • Pay reference period - tax month or calendar month.

  • Payment Source - Name of the payment source

Contributions

  • Earnings basis - qualifying or pensionable.

  • Contribution type - Fixed or percent.

  • How much the employee and employer is contributing.

  • NEST is a relief at source (RAS) scheme. NEST claims the 20% tax the employee pays back from HMRC and so can not be set up as a net pay arrangement. Shape automatically calculates the tax relief.

  • Is it a salary sacrifice scheme?

Finding the information in NEST

You can find out your scheme details by logging into your NEST account.

Employer Reference - NEST Employer ID

Find this on your homepage, right-hand corner. There should be your name and underneath the NEST Employer ID: EMPnnnnnnnnn.

Find your NEST employer ID

Payment Source

To find the name of your payment source, select Manage payment sources.

Where to find payment source in NEST.

Your payment source in Shape must match exactly as it is in NEST next to the £ sign.

Find the name of your pension source in NEST.

Pay Reference Period

To find your payment reference period and contributions go to Manage Groups.

NEST manage groups

The pay reference period is important as this needs to match with what NEST are expecting. For example, Monthly would refer to calendar months and Tax monthly refers to the 6th - 5th, lining up with the tax calendar.

Example of NEST Groups to check earnings basis for pensions.

Add Contribution Group

Once you have set up the scheme, you need to add a contribution group.

The scheme details need to be the same. This shows the earnings basis is Qualifying and Employee contribution is 5% and Employers 3%.

Shows the contribution earnings and contribution amounts in NEST.

Select + Add Contribution Group.

Select the scheme screen

You can then set the scheme.

Add a contribution group

The reference is the name of the group in NEST.

NEST API Integration

Once you have set up the above, you will be able to start connecting to the NEST API Integration by adding your NEST credentials.

Shows the NEST API Integration.

Help Categories

Getting StartedMy AccountThe Shape HubCompany SetupPay Run SettingsPensionsNest IntegrationSetup a Nest PensionAdding NEST CredentialsNest error code: IFC01645EmployeesLeaversHMRC NoticesDirectorsComplete a Pay RunPayment TypesReportsRTI SubmissionsHMRC PaymentsHMRC RTI ErrorsYear EndCIS Stop Being An Employer

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