Launched in 1997, the Equity Pension Scheme is available to all our members, regardless of your occupation.
When you join Equity, you are not automatically enrolled in the EPS: You must choose to join.
You can join the scheme online now.
The scheme is administered by Chester Rose (formerly Hencilla) with AVIVA as the product provider.
- Find out about the scheme on the Administrator's website
- Read the guide to the Equity Pension Scheme (PDF)
If you are working under an Equity agreed contract, you could get your employer to contribute to your EPS.
Contracts that currently apply are: BBC, ITV, PACT & TAC, SOLT, UK Theatre - Commercial, UK Theatre - Sub Rep, RSC, RNT, Walt Disney, plus a number of in-house arrangements.
Joining the scheme
You can join the scheme online. If you have any questions that are not addressed below, contact the Administrators on 020 3342 1282 or c4c@chesterrose.co.uk
Join the scheme online
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.
Regardless of your occupation payments, you can contribute to the EPS:
- Monthly by Direct Debit (minimum £16.00 per month).
- Single contributions via internet banking, as and when you want (minimum payment £16.00).
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
You can make contributions 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,
- You can make additional personal payments by direct debit on a monthly basis,
- 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.