Pensions Mediation Service

"The new scheme funding regime requires trustees and sponsors to reach agreement on many difficult and intractable issues. Trustees must also actively monitor financial strength of the sponsor. Even with the best will in the world, some conflicts could arise. CEDR provides a cost effective way of resolving these without resort to expensive litigation or the Regulator's imposed solution."

Christine Farnish, Chief Executive, NAPF

The National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF) has joined forces with CEDR Solve to provide the Pensions Mediation Service as a low cost alternative to litigation. This service will resolve disagreements and complaints between trustees and scheme sponsors and completely independent, with all mediations and outcomes treated confidentially.

Types of disputes suitable for the service
No dispute is too small or too large, and all types of pension scheme conflicts can be covered by The Pensions Mediation Service, for example:

• individual and group disputes between trustees and scheme members;
• complaints against trustee boards and scheme managers;
• disputes and disagreements between trustees and employers; and
• disputes between pension schemes and third party service providers.

The Pensions Mediation Service can also help trustees in dialogue and communication with stakeholders regarding changes to schemes, for example:

• when schemes change from final salary to money purchase;
• increases to active members' pension contributions;
• processes for consultation and negotiation on pension scheme closure; and
• funding and insolvency scenarios.

An organisation may approach The Pensions Mediation Service at any stage, for example when a dispute first arises, or even when complaints or other proceedings have already been started.

Costs
For current costs please contact CEDR Solve. Costs are on a sliding scale and NAPF Members are offered a 5% preferential discount on all services.

Training
CEDR Solve and NAPF also run a number of training modules and seminars on negotiation skills, conflict management and mediation awareness. For details of available courses, visit the NAPF website at www.napf.co.uk.

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