News from the FDA

The union of choice for senior managers and professionals inpublic service

18 December 2002

[For Immediate Use]

Detailed consultation paramount on pensions paper

Responding to the pensions Green Paper, the FDAtoday welcomed the government's proposals to end compulsory retirement ages butexpressed strong concerns that any changes to the public sector pension age inthe future should not affect existing pension scheme members.

FDA pensions' officer John Merson said: "Thecurrent situation in which some departments force civil servants to retire whenthey reach 60, while in others staff can continue until 65 if they wish, isobviously unfair. We fully support moves to address these inequalities and willcontinue advocating a move towards a flexible decade of retirement from 55 to65."

"However, we are concerned by the proposedmoves to raise the pension age for new recruits in public service schemes to65. Certainly, any proposals must protect the position of existing staff. Wenote the assurances given that new arrangements will be developed inpartnership with the Cabinet Office, but we are extremely concerned atsuggestions within the Civil Service Pensions 'question and answer' documentnow circulating in departments, that unhelpful changes may be made to accrualrates for existing members of the pension scheme. The FDA would resist any suchmove.

"The Green Paper raises a lot of issues andquestions that will need in depth study and we expect this publication to bethe start of a detailed process of consultation and negotiation with theCabinet Office."

Ends

Notesfor Editors

1. TheFDA is the trade union and professional body representing the UKs 11,000senior civil and public servants. Our members include policy advisors, seniormanagers, tax inspectors, economists, statisticians, accountants, specialadvisers, government lawyers, crown prosecutors and NHS managers

2. Forfurther information contact:

Simon Moore (chief press officer) on020-7343-1111 or 07967 484441 (mobile)