The Pensions Regulator

Employer engagement

.

.

Introduction
Background
Benefits for employers of voluntary engagement
Legal issues
Different forms of employer engagement
Employer engagement activities
Appendix A
Appendix B

---

Introduction

There is no legislative requirement for any governance arrangement over and above ensuring that you, as an employer, meet your legal obligations (for example, contributions being paid on time).

This guidance is not therefore concerned with how to comply with legislation and does not propose any new requirements on employers over and above those that already exist.

The Pensions Regulator does not favour one type of governance arrangement over another and encourages you to choose whatever works for your situation. We believe that voluntary employer engagement improves the protection of members’ benefits and promotes good administration.

Work place contract-based schemes are regulated by:

• The Pensions Regulator; and
• The Financial Services Authority (FSA).

Our joint publication, 'A guide on the regulation of work place contract-based pensions' explains the main regulatory focus of each regulator and gives an overview of employers’ legal obligations.

We've consulted the FSA in developing this guidance. Both organisations share the view that voluntary governance arrangements are a matter for employers.

Employers who establish a governance arrangement do so for a variety of reasons, often to do with how the scheme is working in practice at employer level. The purpose of the governance arrangement and the employer engagement activities is not to do the job of the regulators, but rather to complement what they do.

.

.