How much will my fund member subscription cost?

Subscriptions are based on the number of members* in your scheme(s).  2013 rates are calculated at 19.04 pence per member per year, with a minimum subscription of £251 applying for small schemes (1,318 members or less), and maximum of £8,232 for large schemes (43,235 members or more)
*Includes the total number of members (active, deferred and pensioners) of all schemes run by your sponsoring company.

Notes:
Rates are subject to VAT at the prevailing rate for UK members.
For pension schemes outside the UK a special annual subscription rate applies of £251 with no VAT payable
Membership runs from January to December and your first subscription will be calculated on a pro-rata basis. Any new members joining on or after 25th August will be invoiced on a pro rata basis for the remainder of the current year, plus whole of the next year but at the current 2013 subscription rate.
Subscription rates increase annually in line with RPI.
New subscription rates were agreed at the AGM 2012. Existing member rates (i.e. joined before August 2012) with an increase of over 10% on their 2012 rate will be phased in over a 3 year period.

If you require further information about NAPF membership subscription rates, please do not hesitate to contact the Membership team on 020 7601 1707 or email  rebecca.morris@napf.co.uk

Fund member benefits include:

Events
Conferences: The NAPF is the leading provider of pensions conferences, and NAPF members can enjoy free or discounted delegate places at our events. We secure top speakers from Government and the pensions industry and deliver programmes designed to examine the key issues of the day.

One Day Conferences: Our new one day conference series cover 4 topics including corporate governance, Europe, investment strategies and defined contribution. Attendees have the opportunity to learn and be inspired by the best speakers available, as well as contribute to discussions and debate with senior policy makers. NAPF members have priority booking and receive discounted rates for all one day conferences 
Training and professional development: We have an excellent tradition of supporting all those involved in pensions. Whether a new or experienced trustee, an HR manager or finance professional, courses are designed to meet all levels of experience. NAPF members receive discounted rates for all training courses.

Research
The NAPF leads the way in pensions research and provides detailed reports and analysis. Some of our top research titles:
NAPF Annual Survey is a unique benchmarking tool and provides pension schemes, advisers and policymakers with an invaluable insight into the state of workplace pensions. NAPF Annual Survey is free to all participating schemes and available at discounted rates to all other members.
Workplace Pensions Survey provides a snapshot of employed people’s views of, and confidence in, pensions. The Workplace pensions Survey is available to NAPF members free/at discounted rates.
Assessing Investment Consultants’ Performance gauges pension funds’ opinions on their investment consultants and provides an independent toolkit to help trustees monitor the performance of their investment consultancies.NAPF research reports and publications are available to members either free or at discounted rates.

NAPF publications
Made simple guides: Our comprehensive guides, written in jargon free English, cover a range of technical issues including hedge funds, investing in commercial property and private equity.  Each NAPF member receives one free copy of every Made simple guide produced.
PolicyWatch: Exclusive to NAPF members and emailed fortnightly, PolicyWatch is our electronic bulletin of latest pensions news, political and regulatory developments. PolicyWatch is delivered free to all contacts at each member organisation.
NAPFnews: The quarterly member journal contains news, articles and features from leading experts as well as interviews with the industry’s top players. NAPFnews is delivered free to all fund and business member contacts.
Member Forums : Our two specialist member forums for industry-wide schemes and local authority schemes are an invaluable source of industry intelligence. They help develop Government policy and their views are sought by Government and regulators.
Online resources and seminars: The NAPF offers free membership to its new PensionsConnection services for defined contribution schemes, finance directors and human resources professionals. These forums feature regular newsletters, online discussions and polls, as well as topical speaker evenings and networking opportunities.

All about DC
DC is the fastest growing sector of the pensions landscape and the associated challenges – particularly in the current economic climate – are growing just as rapidly. The NAPF tackles these issues head on to help support its hundreds of members offering DC pensions, whether stakeholder, GPP or occupational arrangements.

Lobbying for change

We make sure that our members’ views are heard where it counts – with Government, the regulators and the media. We have been discussing with Government Ministers how Personal Accounts and auto enrolment can be introduced with minimal impact on employers already providing DC schemes. This has included securing an acceptable definition of qualifying earnings and a level regulatory playing field for contract and occupational schemes when autoenrolment is introduced this year. Our Annual Survey and our bespoke DC research track developments in DC pension provision, and are invaluable tools in helping to lobby for change and improvements in legislation for DC funds.

Pension Quality Mark  

Our Pension Quality Mark is awarded to employers with DC schemes meeting three basic quality tests. It is a simple way for employees to recognise and value their DC scheme and enable employers to demonstrate their commitment to good pension provision.

Practical support and information

We provide practical help to our members to support them in their day-to-day jobs.
Forthcoming research ‘Talking Pensions’ will explain what advice and information employers can give DC scheme members and identify what legal changes are needed to help employers promote their DC pensions.
DC PensionsConnection is a free service that provides opportunities to network, share best practice and ideas with other schemes and get up-to-date information and news
on the latest regulations and legislation.
Members receive a quarterly newsletter and a monthly news round-up from the industry and participate in speaker evenings which cover a range of contemporary issues.
Our two major conferences include specially tailored sessions to enable debate and
discussion on DC issues.

Professional development: Our two new training courses have been designed specifically to support those charged with running the company DC scheme.

NAPF for small schemes

The NAPF is not just an organisation of and for large schemes. A significant proportion of our pension scheme members are small schemes. In fact our smallest member has just two scheme members. We recognise that there is much we can do to help small schemes – who do not have the same resources or access to consultants available to larger schemes – keep up to date with the ever-changing pensions landscape and make sure their voice is heard. We have been particularly vocal on the need for a better and more proportionate regulatory system for UK pension schemes, including a fairer PPF levy. We know that the high costs of running schemes can impact particularly harshly on smaller schemes.

Keeping you up to date

To ensure that small schemes can attend as many of our events as possible, we took the decision in 2008 to make our Annual Conference free to pension fund members. Over a thousand pension schemes and industry professionals attend this leading event. Keynote speakers and break-out sessions give delegates access to latest thinking and technical updates.

In addition, our Trustee Conference, Hot Topic seminars and PensionsConnection networks and speaker evenings (with specialist groups for DC, human resources and finance professionals in pensions) are further ways to keep in touch with latest developments and network with other schemes. The issues affecting smaller employers and small schemes are regularly discussed at these events. Issues arising at these events are fed directly to Government and regulators, ensuring that our members are heard where it matters and can influence regulation and legislation.

All NAPF members receive a free copy of our no-nonsense ‘Made Simple’ guides which cover a range of technical issues such as hedge funds and investing in commercial property. Smaller NAPF members find these guides especially useful.

Our trustee training programme tailored to the needs of DC and DB schemes is used regularly by smaller schemes who value its independence and the access to industry experts the courses provide.

If you have any further questions please contact the membership team:

Becky Morris | 020 7601 1707 | rebecca.morris@napf.co.uk