Over a third of employers in a recent Labour Research Department (LRD) survey had closed their final salary pension scheme and replaced it with a money purchase arrangement, giving fewer guarantees for the future. Employers had given a variety of reasons for closing their schemes, ranging from high costs to changes in accounting practice.

Pensions under threat - a guide to recent developments challenges these arguments and looks at the action trade union members have been taking to defend their pension schemes, including recent strikes and the threat of legal action by some workers.

This latest guide in the LRD booklets series provides a clear explanation of all three elements of the UK pensions system - occupational, stakeholder and state pensions. It also describes proposals for the future of pensions, and looks at the changes that trade unions would like to see to simplify pension arrangements and give greater legal protection to workers' pensions. Calls for improvements in the state provision of pensions are also examined.

As well as providing a useful explanation of the latest developments affecting all types of pensions, Pensions under threat - a guide to recent developments gives practical information about where to go for advice on your pension options, and describes the regulatory framework governing pensions.

As the future for pension provision continues to be debated by unions and others, this booklet should provide trade unionists with a useful understanding of the key issues.


Notes to editors

1. Pensions under threat - a guide to recent developments is published by the Labour Research Department, 78 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8HF, price ?3.50 or ?10 for employers or commercial organisations. LRD booklets are also available on subscription at an annual cost of ?28.50 (?72.75 for employers/ commercial organisations). LRD publishes 10-11 booklets each year.

2. The Labour Research Department is an independent trade union and labour movement organisation founded 90 years ago. Around 1,800 trade union organisations, including 55 including 55 national unions, representing 99% of total TUC membership, are affiliated.

3. For press enquiries on this booklet contact Richard Pond on 020 7902 9812. To order copies of the booklet telephone 020 7928 3649.

4. Full information about all of LRD's services and publications is available on the LRD website at www.lrd.org.uk.