The Communication Workers Union, representing BT employees has said that it is determined to keep the BT Pension Scheme open, despite new communications from the company.

As talks continue with BT over the future of the BTPS, the CWU has confirmed that it continues to oppose its closure.

A review of the defined benefit scheme has been triggered as a result of its estimated deficit of £13bn in addition to BT’s claim that the cost of paying future benefits for those still working for BT is expected to double next year.

Nonetheless, the CWU has argued that BT continues to be a successful, profitable company and is therefore challenging its case to end accruals to the DB scheme.

“While the company may face cost pressures in funding the future of the BTPS, it’s not the fault of our members in the BTPS who will have made plans for their future retirement based on their expected pension”, the union said.

CWU deputy general secretary Andy Kerr stated: “The CWU remains resolute in our opposition to closure of the BT Pension Scheme. We have made it clear that any move to closure will result in an industrial dispute.”

“This is a seriously difficulty and unsettling situation for all BTPS members and the CWU is determined to ensure that the BTPS remains open for future service”.

BT has now set some possible options for controlling costs that was in communications to the CWU, yesterday, 22 August 2017. While the union is discussing these with BT, it has said that it has not agreed any of the options mentioned at present.

BT has, however, agreed to include the defined contribution BT Retirement Saving Scheme in the review.

Kerr added: “The CWU has now ensured that the BTRSS is part of this review which means we now have the chance to achieve improvements in the BTRSS – of which half of BT’s current workforce are members.

“While we improved the BTRSS in 2009, we have identified the need for enhancements to BT contributions, the minimum BT payment, pension charges, death in service, medical retirement and the treatment of allowances”.

In an update on its pensions website, BT said: “As part of the pensions review, BT is reviewing the use of RPI as the index for calculating increases to pensions in payment for Section C members. Any change would impact the future increases applied to pensions in payment for all members of Section C, including deferred and pensioner members.

“BT has agreed with the Trustee that it will shortly seek clarity, through a court application, on whether it is possible, under the Scheme Rules, to change the index used for calculating increases to pensions in payment for Section C members.

“We will write to all potentially impacted members in due course, once further information becomes available.”

The CWU also noted that it will continue to keep members advised on developments.

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