About the scheme
The scheme is administered by Chester Rose (formerly Hencilla) with AVIVA as the product provider.
- Find out more about the scheme on Chester Rose website
- Read Chester Rose's guide to the Equity Pension Scheme (PDF)
If you have any questions that are not addressed here, contact the Administrators Chester Rose on 020 3342 1282 or c4c@chesterrose.co.uk
Frequently asked questions
Join the Equity Pension SchemeThe 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
Pension Administration
The process of reflecting contributions online takes time to ensure accuracy. Here’s how it works:
1. Payment Timeline:
- When a contribution is deducted from your payslip, it is not immediately sent to Aviva.
- Under the scheme’s terms, the company deducting the contribution has until the 22nd of the following month to make the payment to Aviva.
- For example, if a contribution is deducted on 1st January, the payment may not reach Aviva until 22nd February.
2. Notification and Schedule Processing:
- After Aviva receives the payment, the company notifies Chester Rose and provides a schedule with a detailed breakdown of employee contributions.
- Chester Rose processes these schedules for all participating production companies and theatres.
3. Processing Time:
- Due to the high number of participating companies, it typically takes up to 60 days for Chester Rose to review, reconcile, cross-check, and upload schedules via a final bill to Aviva.
4. Viewing Contributions Online:
- Once Chester Rose uploads the data to Aviva, you can view your contributions online via My Aviva.
This timeline ensures accuracy and compliance, though it may take some time due to the volume of contributions involved. Schedules are sent monthly, with weekly contributions combined.
Any contributions made to your pension will be backdated to the 6th of the Month that follows the date that the payment was made by your employer to Aviva, but not from when it was first deducted from a payslip.
This ensures that you will not be financially disadvantaged during the time needed for Chester Rose to complete the administrative process.
If you are a newly registered member of the scheme, your pension record will remain dormant until the first contributions have been processed for your plan.
Once your contributions have been uploaded, Aviva will send you documentation containing your TK plan reference. With this reference, you can register and view your pension details online via My Aviva.
There are two possible reasons:
1. Separate Plan Numbers for Different Contribution Types:
- Aviva assigns two separate plan numbers:
▪ Category 1 for work-related contributions.
▪ Category 2 for personal contributions (e.g., direct debits, single payments, or transfers).
2. Historical Plans:
- If your pension began before 2010 and you have two plan numbers but no personal contributions, this is likely due to updated terms negotiated in 2010/2011.
- Contributions made after the new terms were agreed are held in your Category 1 plan.
- Your Category 2 plan holds pre-2011 contributions and can also be used for personal payments (e.g., direct debits or transfers). However, it cannot accept new contract related contributions.
P5/P3 Membership Number:
- This is your Equity Pension Scheme membership number.
- Use this number when informing your employer or agent about your pension scheme.
- It is permanent and will not change.
TK Plan Number:
- This is used to register with My Aviva and for contacting Aviva directly.
- It may change over time and is not proof of your membership in the Equity Pension Scheme.
- For personal contributions (e.g., regular or single premiums): You can access the breakdown yourself via My Aviva.
- For work-related contributions (e,g., via employment contract): You can access the breakdown yourself via My Aviva or if you require further detail you can email taxyear@chesterrose.co.uk to request this information.
Yes you can, but before you do so it may be beneficial for you to discuss the options available to you outside of the Equity Pension scheme with a member of the Chester Rose Financial Planning team. They are fully independent and can provide advice and guidance to you dependent on your personal circumstances.
- Call their dedicated line on 0203 342 1282 where a member of the team will be happy to assist.
- You can also email welcome@chesterrose.co.uk providing details of your enquiry or fill out the contact form via the Chester Rose Website.
Alternatively, you can transfer your other pensions directly into the Equity Pension Scheme. This process is handled directly by Aviva.
- Call their dedicated transfer line at 0800 2600 360, and provide your TK reference number.
- Alternatively, you can initiate the transfer through My Aviva.
The terms of the scheme mean that to be eligible you need to be BOTH a UK Tax Payer and a UK resident.
The employer’s contribution is added to your fee, making it part of your taxable income. Here’s how it works:
- The production company’s contribution is treated as an enhancement to your gross income.
- Both the employer and personal contributions are deducted and sent to Aviva.
- Since the employer’s contribution is taxed as part of your income, Aviva records all contributions as "personal" to apply basic rate tax relief at source.
- Aviva’s records show the total contribution (member + employer) as a gross “Personal” contribution.
Your Annual Statement, which includes details such as Plan Value, Charges, and Contributions, is provided by Aviva. While there isn’t a specific date for its release, it is typically issued during the summer
months.
The statement will be sent to your registered address and will also be accessible through your My Aviva.
Please email the dedicated team at c4c@chesterrose.co.uk, and Chester Rose will get back to you promptly.
About the new Equity default fund
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).