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BT announces closure of its defined benefit pension scheme

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Future pension benefits for active BT Pension Scheme members to move to an enhanced defined contribution scheme

BT agrees with Communication Workers Union to establish a ‘hybrid’ pension scheme, combining elements of both defined benefit and defined contribution schemes

Changes ensure fair, flexible and affordable pensions for all BT employees

BT today announced the closure of its defined benefit pension scheme, having reached an agreement with the Communication Workers Union (CWU) on the future pension arrangements for 20,000 non-management employees or ‘team members’.

The company has decided to close its defined benefit scheme, called the BT Pension Scheme (BTPS), to future benefits in early summer 2018. Our intention is to do so from 31 May 2018, in line with our previous announcement in relation to closure for managers. However, there are some complex administration-related issues that the Trustee is working to resolve. In the event that these issues impact the timetable we will provide a further update.

Benefits accrued in the BTPS for service prior to 1 June 2018 remain preserved within the BTPS and subject to revaluation in line with BTPS rules and relevant legislation.

Following a consultation with employees, BT has updated its plans and will make additional transition payments to all ex-BTPS team members moving into the BTRSS, as well as providing a higher maximum BT contribution rate of 11% for an extended temporary period.

BT and the CWU have agreed to work together to establish a new ‘hybrid’ pension arrangement over the coming year for team members leaving the BTPS. It is intended that this new arrangement will combine elements of both defined benefit and defined contribution pension schemes and be designed to support those team members on lower pay scales, giving them another option for their retirement savings. The hybrid scheme is intended to offer employees less investment risk over the longer term and will be separate from the BTPS.

Today’s agreement with the CWU for team members follows another deal reached with the Prospect union in February to close the BTPS to c.10,000 managers, which will see them also join the BTRSS.

BT Chief Executive Gavin Patterson said: “I feel it’s critical that we provide fair, flexible and affordable pensions for all our people. I’m committed to helping them save for retirement, so I’m pleased we’ve reached an agreement with our unions.

“These changes also bring far more financial certainty for the company in terms of our future pension arrangements. This will help us balance the needs of BT pensioners with the investments we are making to future-proof the UK’s communications networks and improve customer experience.”

Andy Kerr, CWU Deputy General Secretary said: “The new hybrid pension is an innovative solution that will share future risk between BT and our members. In the defined contribution scheme, all of our BTRSS members paying core contributions will be getting an increase in company payments – as well as key allowances counting towards pension for the first time. This is clearly a major improvement.”

Enhancements to the BT Retirement Saving Scheme

In addition to the enhancements offered to ex-BTPS members, the company also confirmed today a number of improvements to benefits for employees already in the BTRSS, BT’s primary pension scheme for new joiners since 2009.

The BTRSS, which already covers the majority of current BT employees, has 35,500 active members. The proposed changes include increasing BT’s standard maximum contribution rate to 10% for all members and introducing other improvements.

Agreement on pay

Separately, BT has also agreed a two-year pay deal with the CWU, for team members, which will see a 3% increase both this year and in 2019. This provides pay certainty for BT and its team members until April 2020.

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