---
title: "User-defined pension template"
slug: "user-defined-pension-template"
updated: 2026-06-10T11:24:59Z
published: 2026-06-10T11:24:59Z
canonical: "help.cintra.co.uk/user-defined-pension-template"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.cintra.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# User-defined pension template

You can now create a customised pension provider file within Cintra IQ.

By introducing this functionality we empower our users to create membership and/or contribution pension files. The user can also maintain changes to those files as required.

Here are the steps to follow:

1. **Create a Pension template.**

Navigate to Definitions on the top panel and select Pension Template.

Click ‘New’ and give your template a name.

Within the Template Attributes window add columns you wish for your pension file to contain.

This window also has a few features we want to highlight:

- The search box allows you to quickly find the data that is needed.
- Show Header - some providers require files with no headers. This tick box allows you to include or exclude the header line.
- up and down arrows allow you to decide on the order the columns are displayed.
- Report Details - gives a preview of the pension file as it’s being created.
- each column can be renamed by just clicking on it after it has been selected.

![Screenshot 2024-03-07 154424.png](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001063429.png)
- Add blank column - allows you to insert a column with no value or with a fixed value. To add fixed value just scroll to the right until you see Blank Column Value and enter the desired text.

![Screenshot 2024-03-07 154519.png](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001063430.png)
- You can also apply a specific date format or have the text in upper or lower case.

![Screenshot 2024-03-07 154617.png](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001063431.png)

1. **Assign the template to the Pension Provider.**

Under Payroll / Payroll Setup / Third Party Association select the relevant Pension Scheme Provider and navigate to the Other Settings tab.

![Screenshot 2024-03-07 154741.png](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001063432.png)

From a drop-down for Pension Template File Format (Enrolment) and Pension Template File Format (Contributions), you can select your template.

Next time when you produce a pension provider file [How do I generate pension provider membership/contributions files?](/iq/docs/how-do-i-generate-pension-provider-membership-contributions-files) Cintra IQ will generate it using your template.