Occupational pension schemes, equality and Europe: A decade of change

Abstract

This article, drawing on a wide range of published survey data, examines the extent to which equal treatment has been introduced into the rules and practices of the 100,000-plus occupational pension schemes in the UK. It also considers the nature of the changes, whether these have been influenced by developments in EC law, and some distributional implications of the changes for present and future scheme members. The article argues that EC law acted as an important catalyst in accelerating an equalization process that for various social, economic and other legal reasons was already under way in some occupational pension schemes. It is suggested, however, that influence of EC law on the way in which equal treatment has been introduced can lead to detrimental consequences for some members of occupational pension schemes.

Key Words:

• pensions
• Europe
• equality
• law
• legislation