Pension schemes: Security, diversity and choice
The UK experience

One-week study programme 22 to 26 September 2008

About the programme

The UK, as one of the first industrialised nations, has a length and diversity of experience in running pension schemes which is without rival in the world. In particular it is one of the few countries which allows individuals to ‘contract out’ of part of the state pension scheme to join an approved occupational scheme or purchase an individual pension arrangement.

This programme explores the range of public and private pension schemes in the UK; how they are structured, how they are integrated into an overall system of social protection, how they are financed, how they are managed and how they are regulated.

How participants will benefit

The study programme will:

• Broaden participants knowledge of public and private pension schemes
• Enable participants to learn from the experience of UK policy makers, administrators and managers
• Encourage participants to consider the UK experience in relation to the models developed by the EU, the World Bank and others
• Assist participants in applying the UK experience to situations in their own countries
• Provide participants with an opportunity to exchange experience with counterparts in other countries.

Who is it for?

The programme is designed for politicians and senior public service managers responsible for public pension schemes, for administrators and managers of occupational and other non-government pension schemes and for all those interested in social protection issues.

Programme outline

The programme will concentrate on:

• The development of government policy on the mix of public and private pension provision in the UK
• The organisation and delivery of public pension schemes
• The financing, organisation, delivery and regulation of employer based occupational pension schemes
• The financing, organisation, delivery, marketing and regulation of individual pension arrangements
• Consumer perceptions of the UK pensions system.

The programme will include lectures and discussions, briefings by senior government practitioners, representatives of independent public bodies, managers of occupational and personal pension schemes and pensioners’ representatives, and group visits to regulatory agencies and pension providers. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss practical issues affecting their own professional lives and to compare and contrast experience with their counterparts from different countries.

Programme outline

We reserve the right to change the programme as necessary.

Location and arrival arrangements

The study programme will be based in central London. On request, PAI can assist in finding suitable hotel accommodation and can arrange travel to and from the airport.

Language

The programme will be conducted in English. Participants will be expected to have a good working knowledge of the language.

Fees and other costs

The fee for this one-week study programme will be £1,675.  This includes tuition, travel to and from the airport, travel on official visits and documentation (Travel to and from the airport in the UK and travel on official visits is provided at cost). UK Valued Added Tax (VAT) will not be charged if applicants can provide written confirmation from their Government or its accredited representative that they are employed by their Government in furtherance of its sovereign activities.  In all other cases, VAT (currently 17.5%) will be charged in addition to the fee.  Payment in full must be received by PAI no later than 22 September 2008.  Cheques should be made payable to Public Administration International.  Alternatively, PAI is able to invoice individuals or government agencies.  Payment by bank transfer is also acceptable.

Airfares, accommodation costs, daily travel (other than on visits scheduled in the programme), meals and living expenses are not included. We suggest that approximately £120 per person per day should be allowed for a modest standard of accommodation, local travel in the UK, meals and other incidental expenses. Participants requiring a higher standard of accommodation (for example a 4 star hotel) will need to allow approximately £175 per person per day.

Insurance

Participants are advised to arrange travel and health insurance cover before leaving their home country.

Public Administration International (PAI)

PAI specialises in management consultancy and development services for organisations in and associated with the public sector worldwide. We provide advice and support for governments undergoing political, economic, structural and legislative change. Our extensive network of associates includes practitioners, academics and independent consultants. This programme is one of a number of specialist UK-based study programmes designed to meet the needs of the public services worldwide.

Director of Studies

The Director of Studies for the programme is Fiona Draper who is an independent pensions trustee and consultant, specialising in training, scheme communications and documentation. Until recently she was Pensions Officer for Prospect, the trade union representing specialist and managerial staff in the public and private sectors, and thus has knowledge of a wide range of pension schemes. She is an Oxford graduate, and subsequently qualified as a librarian, working for the British Library for ten years before becoming a trade union officer. She currently holds two trusteeships, and is a TUC appointee on the Minister’s Trustee Panel. She is also a member of the Government Actuary’s Department’s communications panel, and a Civil Service Appeal Board member.

How to apply

Clare Walters
Public Administration International
10 Bayley Street
London, WC1B 3HB
UK

T +44 (0)20 7580 3590
F +44 (0)20 7580 4746
pai@public-admin.co.uk

Applications should be made as soon as possible as the number of available places is limited.

How to contact us

For further information about this programme or our consultancy and development services, please contact:

Claire Cameron or Donald McGregor
Executive Directors
Public Administration International
10 Bayley Street
London, WC1B 3HB
UK

T +44 (0)20 7580 3590
F +44 (0)20 7580 4746
pai@public-admin.co.uk