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. When auto enrolment begins, staff who have been auto enrolled are free to opt out if they wish.
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 new DC Plan. Following the Buy Out with Just Retirement Ltd, ("Just") DB Plan pension benefits transferred to Just in November 2024. 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.