Charities are not prepared for the 2012 changes in pension legislation, a survey has suggested.

Changes to pension laws, due to come into force in 2012, will see the introduction of personal accounts for workers, in which employers and employees will make compulsory contributions. If the organisation has its own occupational pension scheme, they will have to enrol employees in it who aren’t already in the scheme.

However, 63 per cent of 450 charities surveyed by the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO) and Foster Denovo, a benefits adviser, say that they have not assessed the financial impact of the legislation.

A further 15 per cent of respondents admitted that they were unaware of the new legislation, and 50 per cent stated that they have not prepared a strategy for 2012.

Seb Elsworth, head of strategy at ACEVO, said: “The survey figures are alarming; third sector leaders need to begin addressing the impact of the new legislation both in terms of their organisational strategy and the implications for staff.”

Ian Bird, senior partner at Foster Denovo, added: “For those organisations not currently offering a pension scheme to staff, the arguments for considering this now – as opposed to leaving it until 2012 – are compelling. There could be cost saving implications and the exercise itself illustrates a commitment to employees.”