We recognise that public sector pensions are a big issue.
Defined benefit schemes have long been an important part of the
benefits package for public sector employees. However, employees
are working and living longer. This has meant that the cost of
providing public sector pensions has increased significantly. We
have therefore seen numerous changes to public sector schemes in
recent years – including the 'new look' Local Government Pension
Scheme from 1 April 2008. The pressure for reform is likely to
continue.
Successive changes have added layers of complexity to many (if
not all) public sector pension arrangements. Understanding the
detail is now a difficult task for any employer operating in the
public sector.
We have experience advising on a wide range of public sector
schemes including the Local Government Pension Scheme, the
Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme, the Teachers' Pension
Scheme and the NHS Pension Scheme.
Our Public Sector Pensions team can provide
expertise in the following:
- advice to employers in respect of the day-to-day administration
of public sector schemes and the interpretation of the underlying
regulations that give effect to them
- transfers of staff from the public sector (including the
negotiation of admission agreements in the Local Government Pension
Scheme and the GAD passport/system of comparability)
- review and negotiation of pension contractual documentation
(including investment management, custodian and other pension
related agreements for employers participating in the Local
Government Pension Scheme)
- advice to clients on pension disputes relating to public sector
schemes.
