Ministry of Defence use technology to ease pension transfer process

LONDON, 24 October 2005: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has launched an online Pension Calculator to help 200,000 Armed Forces personnel make the choice whether to remain in their existing pension scheme or move to the new Armed Forces pension scheme.

There are currently two Armed Forces pension schemes for members of the Regular Armed Forces. The first (AFPS 75) was introduced in 1975 and was closed to new entrants from 6 April 2005. On 6 April 2005 a new scheme (AFPS 05) was introduced for new entrants and members of AFPS 75 are being given the opportunity to transfer to AFPS 05 on 6 April 2006.

During the Offer to Transfer (OTT) process the MOD wanted to ensure that personnel were given as much assistance as possible in making their pension transfer decision. As well as a comprehensive OTT pack containing a personal benefits statement, extensive literature about the process and the two pension schemes, the MOD developed a comprehensive web-based information package containing downloadable pension booklets and a comprehensive Q&A section.

To complement the OTT package, the MOD contracted thomsons online benefits to design a web-based Pension Calculator, that is also available on CD-ROM, which would help this decision-making process. By following a series of questions, and using drop-down menus, the calculator enables Service personnel to compare benefits under AFPS 75 and AFPS 05 based on different views of their future rank, pay rate and leaving date.

Although it has only been online for just 4 months, the calculator results page has been accessed over 180,000 times. In addition, the CD-ROM version of the calculator has been as successful as the online version.

thomsons online benefits worked closely with the MOD not only to scope and define the requirement but to deliver an extremely complex project. Through hard work, patience and technical skill the team at thomsons online benefits have been able to absorb a vast amount of technical information and translate it into a meaningful and useful product which will assist Service personnel in their decision making.

Chris Bruce, Director of Marketing & Technology at thomsons online benefits comments: "The success of the Pension Calculator demonstrates how technology can be used as a tool to help people make difficult decisions about their pension and retirement. Delivering such a complex project on time and within budget demonstrates the success of our agile development methodology and the professionalism of our team. We look forward to working with the MOD to extend this project further".

For further information on the Armed Forces Pension Calculator go to http://www.mod.uk/issues/pensions/pensions_calculator.htm

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About thomsons online benefits

thomsons online benefits was founded in 2000 to revolutionise the way that benefits are administered and communicated. They have won the following awards "Corporate Adviser of the Year" in the Money Marketing Financial Services Awards 2004 and 2005, "Most Effective Use of an International Benefits Strategy" in the Employee Benefits Awards 2004, "Advanced Supply Chain Integration" National Innovation category and "E-business" for London region in the DTI Ecommerce Awards 2004. thomsons online benefits is an appointed representative of AWD Consultancy Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Further information can be found at www.thomsonsonlinebenefits.com

For more information contact:

Caroline O'Keeffe
Tel: 020 7802 5855
Email: press@t-bx.com
www.thomsonsonlinebenefits.com