Effective communication is about getting the right message to the right person, in the right way, at the right time. It is about telling them what they want to know and not bombarding them with irrelevant information. In a world of mass electronic communication, making your message stand out and be understood is a major challenge. To help you do this, you need to ensure your key messages:

• Are clear and consistent.
• Emphasise the key points you want to get across.
• Are relevant and targeted at each key audience.

In regards the TPS your messages should:

• Emphasise the importance of planning for retirement.
• Emphasise the benefits and flexibilities of the revised scheme and how members can make best use of them during their working lives.
• Emphasise and clarify your role as an employer.
• Emphasise the benefits potential members would lose by opting out of the scheme.
• Explain each aspect of the revised scheme clearly and concisely.

The following are suggestions of some of the themes/messages you should be promoting to TPS members about their pension scheme:

• The TPS is a first class scheme and an important part of your remuneration package.
• The TPS is very flexible and can support changing circumstances in your life.
• There are many potential benefits you will lose by opting out of the TPS.
• Pensions are for every age group, plan now for your retirement to ensure you will enjoy a decent standard of living all your life.
• Pensions health check – re-visit your pension arrangements in light of the revised scheme and check you have planned adequately for retirement.
• Members can buy extra pension in the TPS.
• Part-time staff – the full-time equivalent salary is used for pension purposes.
• Employers’ contribution – we value you and contribute more than twice what you do to your pension.
• Your pension is guaranteed, is defined benefit and index linked.

Delivering the message

There are many different ways you can get your message across and examples of different types of communication activities are included in this Toolkit. The suitability of each activity will depend on your budget, size of the organisation you work for, number of TPS members and type of message you want to communicate.

Communicating well does not have to be expensive and when planning any communication activity remember to look at how to make the best use of existing channels first such as staff meetings, intranet sites, newsletters, notice boards and training days.