On 21 January we reported on a limited DWP consultation on a draft of new Independent Trustee Regulations under s.36 of the Pensions Act 2004. That this exercise was fruitful is evidenced by the number of amendments apparent in The Occupational Pension Schemes (Independent Trustee) Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/703), which have now been laid before Parliament and come into force on 11 April 2005.

As an example, the draft regs required the appointed trustee to inform every member or relevant trade union of their name and address, in writing, within two months of their appointment; and also within two months of a written request from a member, prospective member, or relevant trade union, their fee scale and the fees actually charged to the scheme in the previous 12 months.