THE implications of the 20-month run-up to the government's introduction of stakeholder pensions was the subject of a seminar held by Portsmouth firm Shoosmiths.

The government's aim of making stakeholder pensions mandatory by April 2001 sets the deadline, if not the detail, of a major new challenge for the South's employers.

Knowing what's in store is half the battle, according to Karen Tipplston, head of Shoosmith's national financial services team.

Speaking to more than 50 local employers she put forward action points for them to consider.

"Under current proposals, employers already operating an occupational pension scheme accessible to all their employees will be exempt from the stakeholder provisions,'' she said.

"Those who do not will be required to provide information and access for their employees to a stakeholder scheme with contributions being made by payroll deductions - although there will be no legal requirement for employers to contribute themselves.''

She said a process of consultation was underway before firm proposals are put before Parliament in April.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.