Following on from our last post outlining the proposed changes to SAUL, we have an update on the situation.

UNISON and Unite have now approved the proposed changes to SAUL.

This means that the next stage is for SAUL to consult with all members of the scheme, and this consultation is due to start in mid-July.

Once the consultation begins, the SAUL website will have a calculator put up once the consultation starts which people will be able to enter their personal details in to see the changes for them.

As before the IWGB recommends that all members respond to the scheme by rejecting the changes. At our last branch meeting people asked for alternatives, and we would suggest:

• there is an increase in the employers’ contribution, but only to 16%. They pay 18% into the USS pension scheme, so why can’t they do the same for SAUL?
• the employers took a ‘pensions holiday’ in the 1990s – they could pay into the scheme the money they saved then
• SAUL are taking a very subjective view of the scheme as requiring urgent change – the extent to which it is in ‘deficit’ depends on the way this is calculated, and they are using the calculation most amenable to their argument. They should reassess the actual long-term affordability of the scheme before rushing into abolishing the final salary element

If you have any questions, please get in touch at uol@iwgb.org.uk.