Pensions Act 2008

Pensions Act 2008

2008 CHAPTER 30

Commentary on Sections

Part 1: Pension scheme membership for jobholders

Chapter 3: Safeguards: Employment and pre-employment

Section 58: Restrictions on agreements to limit operation of this Part

139. Subsection (1) renders void any agreement between a worker and their employer to either (a) exclude or limit the operation of any provision in Part 1 of this Act or (b) preclude a person from bringing proceedings under section 55 (i.e. enforcement of the right not to suffer detriment) before an employment tribunal.

140. Under the terms of this provision, an agreement between the worker and employer will be void and unenforceable by the employer, who will be further restricted (under subsection (2)) from recovering the financial or other benefit given in exchange for it.

141. Subsections (3) and (4) provide that subsection (1) will not apply where an employer and a worker have entered into any agreements under conciliation arrangements dealt with by a conciliation officer or under a compromise agreement (the conditions for which are listed in subsection (5)). These subsections ensure that subsection (1) does not undermine any conciliation process by inadvertently voiding any agreement made as part of the conciliation process.