Share schemes still a great perk

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Share schemes still a great perk

A sluggish stock market and new accounting rules mean that share schemes have lost some of their shine, but they can still make great perks, says Employee Benefits magazine.

 

What you will find in this report

This 14-page supplement to the October 2004 edition of Employee Benefits magazine contains four main articles:

  • Implementing a share plan

Three-page article examines the first steps involved in implementing an approved share scheme across your organisation, with the focus on: selecting a suitable adviser obtaining shareholder approval selecting an administrator choosing between a share incentive plan and sharesave and finally, implementing and communicating the plan.

  • Accounting standards

A two-page article assessing the potential impact of new accounting rules for the treatment of employee share schemes. From 1 January 2005 under FRS 20, charges will be made to a company's profit and loss statement for the fair market value of share-based payments.

  • Stakeholder pensions

From April 2006, employees will be able to transfer shares from an Inland Revenue-approved share scheme into a register stakeholder pension. And in doing so, employees will qualify for "double" tax relief. This one-page article looks at what you will need to know.

  • Share schemes within flex

A number of leading employers have incorporated employee share schemes into flex plans in order to encourage wider share ownership, according to this one-page report.

 

 

Want to know more?

Title: Share Schemes Supplement, October 2004, Employee Benefits.

Availability: Employee Benefits is published monthly. You can subscribe online to the magazine at http://sales.centaur.co.uk or tel: 020 7292 3719.

The research is available on the Employee Benefits web site at www.employeebenefits.co.uk. Once you have registered (it's free to do so), click on "Archive of articles". The articles are dated October 2004.

Posted 27 October 2004