Equity Pension Scheme FAQs

The EPS is a Group Personal Pension designed and administered by Chester Rose. It launched in October 1997, when Equity first negotiated pension contributions for members. Having undergone a number of improvements, since October 2012 it can boast being an auto-enrolment compliant Qualifying Workplace Pension Scheme.  

The product provider and fund managers are AVIVA.

The scheme allows for complete flexibility: you contribute when you are working, and you take a break when you are not. The EPS is penalty free and currently has a single charge of 0.70% per annum of the funds you have under management. i.e. £0.70 pence for every £100 in your personal fund.

You can contribute to your pension in a number of ways:

• You can make contributions related to your engagement only; this way you can pay in when you are working but freeze payments when you are not.
• Regardless of your occupation payments, you can make additional personal payments:
  • Monthly by Direct Debit (minimum £16.00 per month).
  • Single contributions via internet banking, as and when you want (minimum payment £16.00).
  • You can make additional personal contributions by cheque on an ad-hoc basis. If you are already a member of the EPS, you must make sure that you have inserted your EPS membership number onto the contract/addendum or advised your Company Manager or the payroll department of the production company of your EPS membership number.

EPS members benefit from an employer contribution equal to a percentage of the weekly wage.

To qualify, an agreed member contribution is deducted from the weekly fee. Employer contributions are added to the wage before being deducted together with the member contribution. These contributions are sent direct to Aviva by the employer. The administrators receive details of the payment made. This allows them to locate and process the monies, resulting in contributions with basic rate tax relief attached being correctly allocated to members’ EPS.

Most theatrical employers now contribute to scheme.

West End Managers (SOLT), Walt Disney Company and Shakespeare's Globe

Managers will contribute an amount equal to 5% of the weekly rehearsal or performance wage up to a maximum of 5% of 1.75 x the minimum performance wage. Two years continual employment with the same Manager increases this to 7.5%. 10% after five years. 

Members pay a 3% personal contribution, rising to 3.75% and 5%.

Subsidised Repertory Theatres (UK Theatre)

The Manager will contribute an amount equal to 5% of your weekly rehearsal or performance wage up to a maximum of 5% of 1.5 x the appropriate middle-range salary level (MRSL).

Members pay a 3% personal contribution.

Commercial Theatre (UK Theatre)

The Manager will contribute an amount equal to 5% of your weekly rehearsal or performance wage up to a maximum of 5% of 1.5 x the basic rehearsal or performance wage.

Members pay a 3% personal contribution.

Independent Theatre Council (ITC)

Ethical Managers will contribute an amount equal to 5% of part of the wage.

Members pay a 3% personal contribution.

Non-Ethical Managers will contribute an amount equal to 3% of part of the wage.

Members pay a 5% personal contribution.

Royal National Theatre

There are four options available; the entry level being a NT contribution equal to 5% of the wage up to a maximum of 5% of 1.5 x the maximum weekly rehearsal wage.

Members pay a 3% personal contribution.

Refer to the EPS Membership Pack for the other options.

Royal Shakespeare Company

The RSC will contribute an amount equal to 5% of the weekly rehearsal or performance wage up to a maximum of 5% of 1.75 x the minimum performance wage.

Members pay 3% personal contribution.

Basically, the scheme works in the same way in television as it does in theatre, but your contribution will be based on either your episode fee or weekly fee, whichever basis brings you the most benefit.

It is the responsibility of the Artist to notify the Producer prior to the engagement that they are a member of the EPS and to provide their pension membership number in the space provided in the form of engagement.

Most TV and film employers will contribute to the scheme.

BBC television and ITV companies will contribute an amount equal to 5% of your engagement/episode fee or weekly equivalent up to a maximum of 5% of 3 x the current minimum engagement fee.

You pay 2.5% personal contribution

PACT and TAC Independent TV Production companies will contribute an amount equal to 5% subject to a maximum per engagement/weekly/episode fee.

You pay 2.5% personal contribution

Film companies The contractual pension contribution is 6% producer, 3% artist, but capped on earnings per film. The pension contribution is based on the Basic Performance Salary only, or daily/weekly fee for stunts.

BBC Radio will contribute an amount equal to 5% of your engagement/weekly/episode fee.

You pay 2.5% personal contribution

Details of the current minimum engagement fees for your production company are available from Andrew Barker at the administrators on 020 3342 1282 and c4c@chesterrose.co.uk 

Equity is moving its pension scheme into Aviva's new Sustainable Stewardship fund range. This means members' savings will be invested in companies considered to align positively with the UN's sustainable development goals, which include aims on climate action, gender equality, and affordable clean energy. From November 2024, anyone enrolling in the Equity Pension Scheme for the first time will automatically join the new default fund. All existing EPS members will move to the new sustainable fund in April 2025.

Find out more on the Chester Rose website (who administer the scheme).

No. Members will not incur any additional charges as part of this transition to the new fund, so this move comes at no extra cost. 

The default fund for the scheme remains a low-risk option and the ability to choose different funds remains available to all scheme members. 

It will be moved into the new default fund during April 2025. Aviva will be writing to all affected members ahead of the move, you don’t have to do anything. You can choose to move your money to the new Sustainable Stewardship fund earlier via the MyAviva app, which you can do from 1 November 2024. 

Yes. Everyone in the default fund will be automatically moved in early 2025 but if you would like to move your money to the new fund earlier, you can do that from 1 November 2024 via the MyAviva app. 

No. If you have moved out of the default fund you will not be affected. You can move your money into the new fund, the best way to do this is via the My Aviva app. 

When Aviva write to you next year there will be an opt out option. Nobody will be forced into the new fund.  

From November 2024, anyone choosing to enrol in the EPS for the first time, and anyone making their first contribution from any source, will automatically join our new default fund. All existing EPS members will move to the new sustainable fund in April 2025. You can also choose to move your money to the new Sustainable Stewardship fund early via the MyAviva app, which you can do from 1 November 2024.

Equity is moving its pension scheme into Aviva's new Sustainable Stewardship fund range. This means members' savings will be invested in companies considered to align positively with the UN's sustainable development goals.

The fund aims to invest at least 70 per cent of its asset allocation into companies it identifies as sustainable. As such, it will look to invest in companies that Aviva consider to be positively aligned to one or more global sustainability goals. This includes companies that support the transmission, distribution and generation of renewable energy, as well as bonds that use the proceeds raised from investors for climate or environmental projects, social projects or other sustainability linked projects. On top of this, the fund won’t invest in companies involved in thermal coal, nor those making more than 10 per cent of revenue from oil and gas.

You can find out more on the Chester Rose website (Chester Rose administer the scheme).