National Recruitment FederationAnnual Conference

Tuesday 8 April 2008

“Role of pensions in future employment”

Brendan Kennedy

Chief Executive

The Pensions Board

Pensions are here to stay

• By law an employer must provide you with some form of access to a pension, whether you are in full-time, part-time, temporary, contract or casual employment

• All employers regardless of the size of their workforce are obliged to provide access to a Standard PRSA if those employees fall into the category of “excluded employees” (details available from Board’s website)

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Green Paper on Pensions

• Green Paper on Pensions published in October 2007, consultation phase is ongoing

• Commission on Taxation to consider how best the tax system can encourage long term savings to meet the needs of retirement

• Pensions also a commitment in Programme for Government

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Changing world we live in

We are Living Longer

More Contract Work

More mobility in careers

Changing work patterns

More Part Time Working

Single Parent Households

Smaller Families

Separation/Divorce

Changing demographics

2006 2026 2056

No’s at Work 2,000,100 2,268,000 2,125,000

Aged over 65 464,000 844,000 1,532,000

No’s at work per person over 65

4.3 2.7 1.4

Pensions and Recruitment Employers Viewpoint

Key issues your clients should consider:• A good pension scheme has been long recognised as a very

valuable asset for both the company and its employees. • There is a stronger commitment from employees to participate

in pension schemes where the employer makes a contribution. • A company benefits from having:

– a reputation and respect as a good employer.– a workforce that feels valued and important– increased loyalty and commitment from staff– an enhanced staff recruitment, reward and retention

package

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Pensions and Recruitment Employees Viewpoint

• Financial independence and security

• Mobile working patterns

• Increased life expectancy

• Working longer

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Employees Pensions Checklist

Key questions your candidates should ask:

• Does this employer have a company pension scheme?

• Can I join the scheme?

• If not, has the employer designated a Personal Retirement Savings Accounts provider?

• Will the employer help fund my pension?

Regulation, Supervision and Enforcement

• Pensions Board taking tough approach for breaches of the Pensions Act

• Board recently obtained a High Court judgement against an Irish construction company for €186,000 in pension arrears

• On the spot fines regime in place since September 2007. Fine for each offence €2,000

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Further information

Pensions board website provides;

– Checklist which provides information and a questionnaire to help you inform yourself about how to provide for your retirement

– Pensions calculator allows you to estimate the amount of money needed to contribute to your pension in relation to your age yearly salary to end up with the level of pension you expect in retirement.

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Working in Partnership

Pensions Board currently works with:

• FÁS and Fáilte Ireland – State trainers and recruiters

• National Recruitment Federation – Private sector recruiters

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We all have a responsible role to play in…..

….actively promoting pensions take up !