What Future for Occupational Pensions?
seminar
Thursday 17th January 2008
1.30pm-4.15pm
at the UCU Conference Centre,
Britannia Street, London WC1
organised by
The Institute of Employment Rights

An analysis of the annual reports of the top 100 UK companies and their boardroom pensions shows that while the average executive retires aged 60 on a final salary pension worth over £3 million a year, Britain’s workers are expected to work till they drop.

Attempts to close final salary pension schemes for workers have been resisted by unions and their members in high profile disputes and campaigns. However, the government’s recent response to the regulatory review of occupational pensions threatens to stray into attacks on pension scheme members’ rights and benefits, according to a warning from the TUC.

So what does the future hold for occupational pensions? The focus of the government is clearly on individual provision with this year’s pensions legislation addressing the setting up of personal accounts. This was first proposed by Turner’s Pensions Commission in 2005 and compels workers to join unless they already have a sufficient workplace pension – importantly also it introduces a minimum employer contribution of 3%.

This seminar will update delegates on developments in pension provision, it will take a critical look at the proposed Pensions Bill and the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority and will look at what unions are doing in the public and private sectors to best protect the pensions of their members.

Programme

• 1.30 Registration

• 1.50 Introduction from Chair, Carolyn Jones, Director IER

• 2.00 Pensions and Employer Obligations

Ivan Walker

• 2.20 Sustaining the Local Government Pension Scheme

Glyn Jenkins, Unison

• 2.50 Tea and coffee

• 3.05 Occupational Pensions – Who Bears the Risk?

Bryn Davies, UPS

• 3.25 PCS and the question of pensions in the Civil Service

Alan Maloney, PCS

• 3.55 Questions and discussion

• 4.15 Close

Speakers

Bryn Davies is Director of UPS Ltd and co-author of Pension Promises and Employment Rights (IER, 2004).
Carolyn Jones has been Director of the Institute of Employment Rights since it was established in 1989.
Alan Maloney is National Pensions Officer for PCS.
Glyn Jenkins is the Head of Pensions at Unison.
Ivan Walker is a consultant for Thompsons Solicitors and has his own law firm, Walkers Law.

Who should attend

The seminar will be of great interest to trade unionists, employment lawyers, personnel specialists, academics and students and those concerned with the development of public policy.

How to book

To reserve your place, complete the form below and send your cheque, made payable to IER, to Institute of Employment Rights, The People’s Centre, 50-54 Mount Pleasant, Liverpool L3 5SD. Fax 0151 702 6935.

CPD, NPP and EPP accreditation

This seminar counts for 2 credit hours under the Law Society’s Continuing Development Scheme and the General Council of the Bar’s New Practitioners’ Programme and the Established Practitioners’ Programme.

Additional Information

Details of nearby hotels are available from the office. Name changes are accepted up until the time of the event. Delegates who advise IER of their cancellation more than 15 working days in advance will receive a credit note with 10% deduction for administration.

How to get there

Nearest stations are: Kings Cross and St Pancras (tube and British Rail)

Cost

IER subscribers and members £45.00
Trade unions £60.00
Commercial £120.00

Register for this Seminar