Small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) can now access the kind of pension plan previously only available to big companies with blue-chip budgets, thanks to Encompass from employee benefits consultancy Enrich.

The imminent pension reforms are as relevant to SMEs as they are to large corporates. Yet, traditionally, SMEs have struggled to compete with their larger counterparts with regards to the actual provision of an employee pension, never mind the increasing requirement for scheme governance.

Enrich’s new umbrella scheme Encompass features, amongst other things, a simple, straightforward pension plan which is designed specifically for SMEs. Some of the key features include: policy terms and features usually only available to larger organisations such as governance and member reports; and help for companies in complying with government legislation and regulation, including auto-enrolment and scheme governance.

Nick Oram, Head of Pensions at Enrich, comments: “Following the DWP announcement that for companies with between 50 and 3,000 staff the requirement to comply with auto-enrolment will be delayed, it is perhaps unsurprising that a significant number are tempted to take a ‘heads in the sand’ approach to the whole thing.

“However, bearing in mind the considerable cost implications associated with the requirement to provide a pension to all employees but also the benefits a well run scheme can deliver, we at Enrich are advising all sizes of organisation to start thinking about it now.”

“Not only that, but the regulator is set to launch its 11 principles of DC scheme management. This shows the direction of travel for governance requirements across all forms of DC scheme provision. Within Encompass, governance reports are included at significantly reduced rates than are usually associated with such forms of scheme evaluation.”

For more information, go to www.enrichbenefits.com/encompass or call 0845 600 5985.

Enrich also runs free breakfast seminars on pension matters for HR personnel. The next series, entitled ‘Can you employees afford to retire? What are the consequences for your company if they cannot, and what is the alternative?’ will be repeated on 19 January and 26 January at Enrich’s London offices. To find out more, email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or call 020 7997 5820.