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PAPDIS specifications and assessment codes

Uploading pension contributions with a PAPDIS file

If your payroll software mentions PAPDIS, you’re already on the right track.

PAPDIS (Pension and Payroll Data Interface Standard) is a widely used file format that makes it easier to submit pension contributions and manage employee records. Most payroll providers can generate a PAPDIS-compliant file as standard.

Not sure where to find it? Just ask your payroll provider. They’ll be able to point you in the right direction.

What you can do with a PAPDIS file

A PAPDIS file gives you a lot of control. You can:

  • Assess your team for pension eligibility.

  • Add or update employee records, all in one go.

  • Submit pension contributions that have already been worked out in payroll.

  • Set pay periods (weekly, monthly, quarterly, and more).

  • Fix mistakes by editing or deleting records after upload.

Pension Assessment and Event Codes, explained

When you're uploading a PAPDIS file, you'll need two things for each team member: an assessment code and an event code. These show where someone stands with their workplace pension, and if any action’s needed.

Here’s a clear breakdown to help you get it right.

Assessment codes

These show who someone is, in pension terms:

  • 0 – Excluded: Not in the scheme, or doesn’t need to be assessed.

  • 1 – Eligible Jobholder: Meets all the criteria for automatic enrolment.

  • 2 – Non-eligible Jobholder: Can opt in, but isn’t automatically enrolled.

  • 3 – Entitled Worker: Can join, but doesn’t get employer contributions.

  • Blank: No category or unknown.

Here’s what The Pensions Regulator says about the different types of workers.

Assessment Code Event Code What it means
0 – Excluded 0 – Not an enrolment event They don’t need to be assessed. They’re either already in a pension scheme, or not in one at all.
0 – Excluded 1 / 2 – Auto enrol / Opt-in Not relevant. These options don’t apply to excluded workers.
0 – Excluded 3 – Voluntary joiner They’ve asked to join a scheme, even though they don’t need to be assessed. Often applies to directors or overseas staff.
0 – Excluded 4 – Contractual enrolment They've been added to a scheme as part of their contract, but don’t need to be assessed.
1 – Eligible Jobholder 0 – Not an enrolment event They’re currently not being enrolled. They might be in postponement, or have opted out before.
1 – Eligible Jobholder 1 – Auto enrol / re-enrol They’re being automatically enrolled or re-enrolled into a scheme.
1 – Eligible Jobholder 2 – Opt-in An eligible jobholder who’s chosen to opt in. They might have opted out before or be in a period of postponement, so they’ll only be assessed again at re-enrolment.
1 – Eligible Jobholder 3 – Voluntary joiner They’ve picked a different type of scheme to the default auto-enrolment one.
1 – Eligible Jobholder 4 – Contractual enrolment They’re eligible and being enrolled through their contract. They’ve either opted out before, left the scheme, or are in postponement, so they’ll only be assessed again at re-enrolment.
2 – Non-eligible Jobholder 0 – Not an enrolment event They’re not eligible for auto enrolment right now, whether they’re in postponement or not. A future assessment will decide if that changes. They might already be in a pension scheme, or not.
2 – Non-eligible Jobholder 1 – Auto enrol / re-enrol They’re being re-enrolled straight away, usually because their old scheme no longer qualifies, so they’re moving into a new one that does.
2 – Non-eligible Jobholder 2 – Opt-in They’re not eligible for auto enrolment but have chosen to opt in, whether they’re in postponement or not.
2 – Non-eligible Jobholder 3 – Voluntary joiner They’ve chosen to join a different type of pension scheme, rather than the standard auto enrolment one.
2 – Non-eligible Jobholder 4 – Contractual enrolment They’re not eligible for auto enrolment but have been added to a pension scheme as part of their contract.
3 – Entitled Worker 0 – Not an enrolment event Not relevant here. This event code can be ignored.
3 – Entitled Worker 1 – Auto enrol  Not relevant. If they want to join, they’re classed as voluntary joiners instead.
3 - Entitled Worker 2 - Opt-in This doesn’t apply. Please use Event Code 3 instead. If a worker opts in and is assessed as an entitled worker, it's treated as a request to join a pension scheme. It doesn’t have to be a qualifying or auto enrolment scheme, unless the employer decides to offer one.
3 – Entitled Worker 3 – Voluntary joiner An entitled worker who’s asked to join a pension scheme.
3 – Entitled Worker 4 – Contractual enrolment They’ve been enrolled under their contract.
Blank 0 – Not an enrolment event They’re either in or out of a scheme, but their worker category hasn’t been set.
Blank 1 – Auto enrol / re-enrol Either someone eligible being auto-enrolled or re-enrolled, or a non-eligible jobholder being re-enrolled straight away.
Blank 2 – Opt-in A jobholder, whether eligible or not, who’s chosen to opt in, whether they’re in postponement or not.
Blank 3 – Voluntary joiner They’ve joined, but we don’t know their category.
Blank 4 – Contractual enrolment They’ve been enrolled as part of their contract, but no category has been recorded.

Need a hand?

Not sure which codes to use? We’re here to help.

Contact Thrive Customer Support