Membership of the 2000 Plan is not a compulsory part of employment with the Company. As a member of the 2000 Plan you can opt-out at any time.

You will be required to give the Trustees and the Company two months written notice of your intention to leave the 2000 Plan. At the end of the pay period in which your two-month notice period expires, you will be treated under the 2000 Plan as if you had left service, but you will not receive any benefits until you have actually left service or reach age 75, if earlier.

You will then lose:

• the benefit of the Company’s commitment to meet the balance of the cost of the future pension provision under the 2000 Plan.
• the protection provided by the 2000 Plan to you and your family in the event of your death in service. 
• the part of the protection provided by the 2000 Plan to you and your family in the event of your early retirement from the Company on account of serious ill-health. 
• a pension linked to your future earnings and service. 

You cannot subsequently change your mind as the 2000 Plan is closed to new entrants.

The decision to opt-out is yours alone but you should give careful consideration before doing this and you may wish to consult with an Independent Financial Adviser.