Pensions provisions of the Age Regulations delayed until 1 December 2006

United Kingdom

The DTI and DWP have announced that the pensions’ provisions of the Age Discrimination Regulations will be deferred until 1 December 2006. The rest of the Regulations will come into force on 1 October 2006 as planned.

This delay is in response to concerns raised by the pensions industry and allows employers and pension schemes more time to comply with the new Regulations. The delay also allows DWP to consult on an informal basis to assess whether any amendments should be made to the current Regulations. Any amendments would seek to provide greater certainty for employers and pension schemes. It is likely that this consultation will take place in October.

The UK must implement the relevant EU Directive by 2 December 2006 and so there is little prospect of a further delay in the Regulations, even if the DWP is amending the Regulations right up to the last minute.