Membership is open to accredited and non-accredited Baptist Ministers and to the staff of the Baptist Unions, Regional Associations, Baptist Colleges, and churches that are in membership with one of the Baptist Unions. Details of eligibility can be found on the page headed The Structure of the Scheme.
There is no compulsion to join - employers are free to choose which pension arrangements they offer to their staff. With regards to auto enrolment legal duties, all sections of the Baptist Pension Scheme meet the necessary requirements. If you choose to auto enrol your staff members in the Scheme they are free to opt out if they wish. More details about auto enrolment can be found here.
From 1st January 2012 the Scheme has been on a Defined Contribution (DC) basis, (also commonly known as a money purchase plan).
Prior to 1st January 2012, benefits were built up on a Defined Benefit (DB) basis, (also commonly known as a final salary plan). However all new members to the Scheme from 1st January 2012 will only be part of the DC Plan.
As an employer it is possible that you may have members with benefits in both the DB Plan and the DC Plan. Following the Buy Out with Just Retirement Ltd, ("Just") the DB Plan was wound up in November 2024 and all DB pension benefits transferred to Just. Further information on the transition of DB pension benefits can be found here.
Before entering the Scheme as an employer, you should familiarise yourself fully with the detailed information in the Scheme booklets. The Ministers & Staff Section and Basic Section explanatory booklets can be found in the Document Store.