Government policy is to provide some protection for public sector employees’ pension arrangements on the compulsory transfer of employment to a private sector employer, or to another public sector body. In broad terms, there are two main aspects to this policy:
- Future service – Employees should be entitled to accrue pension benefits in respect of service after the transfer of employment which are considered to be “broadly comparable” to those which the employee would have accrued had they remained in their public sector scheme.
- Past service – Employees should normally have the opportunity to participate in a bulk transfer arrangement in respect of their existing (accrued) pension rights.
For a pension arrangement to be assessed as being “broadly comparable” to a public sector pension scheme, it does not need to offer identical benefits. However, it must offer the same range of benefits, with the same (or greater) overall value.
Latest news
- RPI to CPI - impact on Broad Comparability and Bulk Transfer bases
- Changes to revaluation in deferment and validity of certificates of Broad Comparability - April 2009
- LGPS - Clarification of definition of minimum pension age
- Staff Transfer Team Launch, 2 July 2009
- Staff Transfer Processes, 2 July 2009
- Archived Staff Transfer Documents (details of historic passport changes are available on request)
- List of Passport numbers in force
Government policy documents
- Staff transfers in the public sector, Statement of practice, Cabinet Office 2000 (revised November 2007)
- Fair Deal for staff pensions: procurement of bulk transfer agreements and related issues, HM Treasury Guidance Note, June 2004
How GAD can help you
- We advise public sector organisations on pensions issues and procedures when staff are to be transferred to other organisations.
- We advise private sector organisations on the detailed requirements for broad comparability, and provide the certification needed for public contracts.
- We represent public sector organisations in negotiations regarding the terms under which members’ accrued pension rights will be transferred.
- We assist organisations with staff communications, by providing presentations and pensions information leaflets to transferring staff.
- How to commission GAD
Further information
- Future service rights – broad comparability assessments
- Past service rights – bulk transfer arrangements
- Staff communications
- Redundancy and injury benefits
- Security of pension benefits in the public and private sectors, October 2006
Contact us
To discuss your requirements, please email enquiries@gad.gov.uk, or phone either:
+44 (0)20 7211 2676 or +44 (0)20 7211 2689.