Pension - Age Discrimination

Griffin78

Hi,

Looking for some advice regarding age discrimination in my pension plan but for a young person rather than retirement age.
I joined my company pension plan about 14 years ago at the age of 20. I had one payment option available which was to pay 2% contributions and have 6% company contributions. This was the only option for anyone under the age of 35.
Since the discrimination legislation came into force on 1st December 2006 my company have now contacted me to advise me that I should have been allowed 2 further contribution options from 1st December 2006. These are contributions of 3% or 4% supplemented by company contributions of 7% or 8% respectively. If I want to opt for the higher option I must pay the lump sum equivalent now, which will be matched by my company.
I am not necessarily in a position to make a lump sum payment now whereas I would have been more inclined to increase contributions by 1% or 2% over the last 6 years without it making too much of an impact. I had a lot more disposable income during that time also.
This latest offer does not seem fair and feels like I am still being discriminated against. Has anyone else come across this situation and is there a case for taking it further?

Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated, thanks.

xylophone

I would have been more inclined

But then you might not have been..... Difficult to prove....

Have you made formal representations to your company?

You could look here http://www.pensions-ombudsman.org.uk/

Even if you have to cough up it might well be worth your while - tax relief? http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/incometax/relief-pension.htm

Griffin78

It is difficult to prove but then not having the option at all is clear.

I'll contact the pension team, thanks for the info provided.