Consultation overview
This consultation is about a proposal to close the Chivas Brothers Pension Scheme (“the Scheme”) to future build-up of benefits. No final decision has been made.
Chivas Brothers Limited (“the Company”) is consulting with affected members and will consider all feedback provided before deciding whether to go ahead. This consultation is your opportunity to learn about the proposal and to share your thoughts with the Company. We’ll keep you updated throughout the process.
Why the Company is proposing this change
The Company is proposing to close the Scheme to future build-up of benefits on 7 April 2027, with the aim that future pension savings for all UK colleagues are provided through a defined contribution (DC) pension arrangement via Standard Life.
The Scheme was closed to new members on 6 April 2009 and since then the Company has provided all new colleagues with pension savings through the Pernod Ricard - UK DC Pension Plan.
The Company’s main reasons for this proposal are:
Long-term financial risk: to control the long-term funding and investment risks that come with defined benefit (DB) pensions
Harmonisation: to provide a more consistent future pension approach for all UK colleagues
Impact on your current pension benefits
If the proposal goes ahead, the pension you’ve built up in the Scheme will be worked out using your Pensionable Salary and Pensionable Service as at 7 April 2027 (in line with the Scheme Rules).
After that date:
- you’ll no longer build up new benefits in the Scheme; and
- your built-up benefits will generally increase each year up to the point of your retirement in line with the Scheme Rules and legal requirements (to help protect them against inflation).
You’ll become a Deferred member of the Scheme from 7 April 2027. This can affect some of the benefits you’re entitled to compared with being an Active member of the Scheme. You should refer to your section specific member guide for full details of the difference in benefit entitlements applicable to you as an Active member and Deferred member. You can also discuss any questions you may have in the one-to-one sessions with a pensions expert being offered to all affected members – see below for further information and to book your session.
Proposed future pension benefits
If the proposal goes ahead, future pension savings will be through the Pernod Ricard - UK DC Pension Plan. This is a DC arrangement, which means both you and the Company will pay contributions and the amount you receive at retirement is based on how those contributions are invested and how the investments perform over time.
The Company will contribute up to 13% of your Pensionable Salary into the DC Plan, depending on how much you pay in.
This is a different type of pension arrangement from the Scheme – for this reason it’s difficult to compare the proposed future pension savings with your current pension benefits. The support provided throughout consultation will aim to explain the differences so you can understand what the proposal means for you.
Key dates and timeline
The timeline below gives an overview of what will happen during the consultation.
8 October 2026
Consultation start date and online group consultation presentation
8 October 2026
Individual consultation packs posted to home addresses
8 October to 7 December 2026
FAQs updated periodically here
12 October to 30 October 2026
One-to-one sessions available
7 December 2026
Consultation will end
January 2027
Outcome of consultation communicated to affected members
7 April 2027
Proposed Scheme closure date
How you can take part
- Read the information provided on this site and in the full consultation pack which you should have received in the post and/or via email.
- Review the FAQs and submit any further questions or feedback you have. Check back regularly – FAQs will be updated weekly during the consultation.
- Book a one-to-one session to discuss any questions you have and get some guidance.
What happens next?
After the consultation closes, the Company will properly consider all feedback received. The Company will then make a final decision on whether to proceed with the proposed changes (which will include deciding whether to make any changes or adjustments to the proposal), and we’ll communicate the outcome to all affected members.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about the proposed changes, please submit your query here.
Log in to OneView
You can access details about your pension benefits with the Scheme by logging into your Aptia OneView account.
Contact Aptia
If you have any specific questions about your individual pension benefits in the Scheme, get in touch with Aptia via pensionuk.aptia-group.com
Important note
This site content is not intended to be a legal promise to members, as it is only a summary of the proposed changes to benefits in the Scheme.
If there is any conflict between these details and the Scheme Rules, the Scheme Rules (as amended from time to time) will be overriding. If you want to see a copy of the Scheme Rules or have any questions concerning the contents of this document, please contact the Scheme Secretary, James Melsa via james.melsa@mercer.com
Access to more pension resources
Money & Pensions Service
The Money & Pensions Service is available at any time to give you free information and guidance on pensions, visit maps.org.uk
MoneyHelper
A free, Government-backed service offering impartial help on all aspects of money, including benefits, savings, budgeting and pension choices. It includes Pension Wise, which offers free, impartial guidance on retirement options in DC arrangements for people aged 50 and over. Visit moneyhelper.org.uk to find out more.
Gov.uk
The Government’s official website, where you can find out about everything relating to tax, pensions and the State Pension. Visit gov.uk
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
DWP’s website outlines government initiatives and information about retirement and pension benefits, including full details of the State Pension scheme. Visit gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions
Citizens Advice
Provides free, independent advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities, and also offers free, impartial pensions guidance. Visit citizensadvice.org.uk
The Pensions Regulator
The Pensions Regulator is the body that regulates work-based pension schemes. The Pensions Regulator has no formal role in the consultation process but it can take action if employers don’t comply with the law when proposing changes like this.
While every effort has been taken to ensure the consultation is run in compliance with the law, you can contact the Pensions Regulator if you have any concerns about it.
The Pensions Regulator’s contact details can be found on their website here:
thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/contact-us
Get in touch
If you have any questions about the proposed changes, please submit your query here.
Log in to OneView
You can access details about your pension benefits with the Scheme by logging into your Aptia OneView account.
Contact Aptia
If you have any specific questions about your individual pension benefits in the Scheme, get in touch with Aptia via pensionuk.aptia-group.com
Important note
This site content is not intended to be a legal promise to members, as it is only a summary of the proposed changes to benefits in the Scheme.
If there is any conflict between these details and the Scheme Rules, the Scheme Rules (as amended from time to time) will be overriding. If you want to see a copy of the Scheme Rules or have any questions concerning the contents of this document, please contact the Scheme Secretary, James Melsa via james.melsa@mercer.com
Access to more pension resources
Money & Pensions Service
The Money & Pensions Service is available at any time to give you free information and guidance on pensions, visit maps.org.uk
MoneyHelper
A free, Government-backed service offering impartial help on all aspects of money, including benefits, savings, budgeting and pension choices. It includes Pension Wise, which offers free, impartial guidance on retirement options in DC arrangements for people aged 50 and over. Visit moneyhelper.org.uk to find out more.
Gov.uk
The Government’s official website, where you can find out about everything relating to tax, pensions and the State Pension. Visit gov.uk
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
DWP’s website outlines government initiatives and information about retirement and pension benefits, including full details of the State Pension scheme. Visit gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions
Citizens Advice
Provides free, independent advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities, and also offers free, impartial pensions guidance. Visit citizensadvice.org.uk
The Pensions Regulator
The Pensions Regulator is the body that regulates work-based pension schemes. The Pensions Regulator has no formal role in the consultation process but it can take action if employers don’t comply with the law when proposing changes like this.
While every effort has been taken to ensure the consultation is run in compliance with the law, you can contact the Pensions Regulator if you have any concerns about it.
The Pensions Regulator’s contact details can be found on their website here:
thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/contact-us