Just 6% of job ads mention pensions

Employers are keeping quiet about their pension provision - or lack of provision - for new recruits, according to a TUC annual survey.

The survey of adverts placed in the two weeks between 16 July 2005 and 29 July 2005 shows that fewer than one in ten employers mention pensions. The TUC examined 1,132 job advertisements in The Sunday Times, The Guardian (Saturday), The Evening Standard, The Daily Mirror and The Hastings and St. Leonards Observer (!).

They found that only 69 (6.1%) mentioned a pension - down by 0.5 per cent from 2004. Of the few that mentioned a pension, just 29 referred to a final salary scheme.

Last year, TUC researchers found that out of a total of 1,519 adverts placed, only 101 (6.6%) made any mention of pensions. Of 101 advertisements offering a pension 50% listed the type of pension scheme as a final salary one, and only 13 referred to the level of employer contribution.

According to the TUC, the poor response from employers comes despite strong encouragement from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for them to mention pensions in their job adverts. The DWP has itself recently arranged for all adverts through Jobcentre Plus to include pension information as part of their 'Informed Choice' programme.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'Employers who offer workplace pension schemes should be boasting about it. Those who don't are missing a golden opportunity to attract and retain key workers who are seeking a pension in their benefits package.

'If all job adverts gave clear information on their pension schemes prospective employees would take the advertisement more seriously.'

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