Heinz has introduced pensions salary sacrifice for its defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) plans.

The food manufacturer brought in the changes last month. The 1,500 staff belonging to the DB scheme, which is closed to new members, pay 6% in employee contributions. The 600 members of its trust-based DC scheme contribute between 3% and 5% of salary, and receive a matched employer contribution, plus an additional 2%.

Staff who switched to the salary sacrifice arrangement will make savings on national insurance contributions (NICs) and income tax, while Heinz will save on employer NICs. Ken Horrocks, head of reward, said the firm's NIC savings would allow it to invest further in benefits. "The whole aim is to be cost-effective in providing benefits and utilise all the things the government provides us with as efficiently as we can."

Heinz is now looking to introduce electronic total reward statements for its 3,500 employees in the UK and Ireland by July.