New regulations will mean employers will no longer be able to make major changes to their pension schemes without first consulting the scheme’s members, pensions minister Stephen Timms has announced.
A consultation document on the draft regulations has been published today. The changes would require employers to consult with active and prospective members, and their representatives, on significant changes to their occupational or personal pension provision.
Timms said the proposals will mean that employees will now have a voice about any important proposed changes to their pension schemes.
“It is important that people have an understanding of their pension scheme and feel they also have a part to play in the running of it,” he said. “These regulations will give members that.”
The two sets of regulations include details on the types of changes that will trigger the requirement to consult, and the protection for nominated representatives carrying out their duties in respect of these regulations.
The consultation on these draft regulations will run until 26 August 2005. The regulations will affect employers with more than 150 employees from 6 April 2006, employers with more than 100 employees from 6 April 2007, and employers with more than 50 employees from 6 April 2008.
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