Costs
The standard cost is from 5.5% to 7.5% of your pay, but the real cost can be much less. If you earn enough to pay tax, you will get tax relief on your contributions, and in most cases you will pay less National Insurance too.
Joining
You can join whether you are full time, part time, temporary or permanent, as long as you have a contract of three months or more. There is no lower age limit, and you can join as late as 75 as long as you are still working.
Guaranteed benefits
You can look forward to a pension guaranteed for life, based on your final pay and membership, plus either an automatic or an optional lump sum when you retire.
Drawing your benefits
Normal retirement age is 65, but you can retire and draw your benefits from 60, and even before then if your employer agrees. Your benefits may be reduced if you draw them before 65.
Inflation proofing
Pensions are increased each year in line with the cost of living, to help protect you and your family against inflation.
Lump sum life cover
From the moment you join, you have valuable lump sum life cover. If you die in service, we will pay out a lump sum equal to three years’ final pay. And even if you die in retirement, we will pay a small lump sum if you haven’t drawn a minimum amount of pension.
If you leave
You can choose between a transfer to another scheme, or deferred benefits (leaving your benefits on hold). If you have been a member less than three months, you can have a refund or a transfer.
Protection for you
You have the cover of being able to draw your benefits early if you fall ill, or if you are made redundant (age restrictions apply).
Protection for your loved ones
From the day you join you have the cover of pensions for your dependants. This cover even extends into your retirement.