24 September 2009 – Employers to have their say on pension reform

Employers will be having their say on some of the key elements of the Government’s auto-enrolment reforms as the consultation on the second batch of regulations was launched today.

Angela Eagle, Minister for Pensions and the Ageing Society, said:

"These landmark reforms, on a scale unprecedented anywhere in the world, will ensure millions of workers on low and moderate incomes will be able to save for retirement in a workplace pension for the first time. Our reforms mean people will receive a mandatory employer contribution and tax relief from the State.  We encourage all stakeholders to continue to play their part in this important consultation as we deliver this ambitious programme."

It will seek views on matters including scheme self certification, qualification criteria for pension schemes and requirements to provide employees with information on auto enrolment.

The responses to the consultation on the first batch of regulations were also published today.

Today’s consultation will consider the timetable for the implementation plan for the reforms and make additional proposals for the compliance and enforcement regime of auto enrolment.

This consultation will run until 5 November 2009 and is available at www.dwp.gov.uk/consultations

This is the final consultation on regulations that will be needed to deliver automatic enrolment.

In addition the Government is also publishing a second consultation, on draft guidance on the use of Group Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs) for auto-enrolment and the use of default options in workplace personal pensions (WPPs) used for auto-enrolment. This consultation will run until 17 December 2009 and is also available at www.dwp.gov.uk/consultations.

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