09 February 2007
The Church of England is reviewing its defined benefit pension
scheme in an effort to keep it open to all employees.
Proposed changes to the defined benefit scheme have been
recommended by the Archbishops' Council Committee, and will be
debated at the Church of England's General Assembly later this
month.
The proposals include increasing the accrual period for a full
pension from 37 to 40 years for future employees, and setting up a
new policy with no discretionary link between pension and stipend
increases for clergy.
A Church of England spokesman said: "Many organisations are
currently ending their defined benefit schemes. To avoid having to
take such action, the Church of England is considering a range of
options to retain the benefits of this type of scheme, which we
recognise is an important part of the overall package we offer
stipendiary clergy."
