Membership of the Scheme is not a compulsory part of employment with the Company. As a member of the Scheme, 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 Scheme. At the end of the pay period in which your two-month notice period expires you will be treated under the Scheme as if you had left service.

If you decide to opt out: 

• You will lose the benefit of the Company’s commitment to meet the balance of the cost of future pension provision under the Scheme. 
• You will have to pay higher National Insurance contributions. 
• You will lose the protection provided by the Scheme to you and your dependants in the event of your death in service. 
• You will lose the protection provided by the Scheme to you and your dependants in the event of your early retirement from the Company on account of serious ill-health. 
• You will lose the opportunity to earn benefits linked to your future earnings and service.

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 who may charge a fee for this service.