The General Scheme of the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2017
(the "Bill") was published by the Department of Social
Protection on 9 May 2017. The Bill follows three private
members' bills introduced to Dáil Éireann in
early 2017, each of which contained provisions restricting the
power of employers to terminate their liability to contribute to
defined benefit occupational pension schemes. Currently, the
provisions in the Bill will not be retrospective but will come into
force on enactment. It is proposed that the Bill will be enacted
before the Dáil's summer recess.
While there are a number of points in the General Scheme of the
Bill that we anticipate will be clarified as the Bill makes its way
through the Oireachtas, we consider that, as published, the Bill
gives rise to a number of important considerations necessitating an
urgent review by employers and trustees of certain defined benefit
occupational pension schemes.
