The Government expects changes to public servants benefits to save an estimated £430bn over the next 50 years or so. That's a lot of money! Are they ready to accept that change? Well, perhaps if they understand it, argues Mark Belchamber, director at Shilling Communication.

It is a simple equation once you know: more than half of the savings come from the change to revaluation moving from RPI to CPI. Some savings will come from increased member contributions and more come from the changes made in 2007 and 2008 when the last round of reforms came through. 

On Thursday 13 September the Government published the Public Service Pensions Bill forecast to contribute another £65bn pounds towards the total saved by changing to CARE schemes (from Final Salary) and linking retirement to the State Pension Age. Danny Alexander, MP, is quoted as saying, "This is a good deal for taxpayers and a good deal for public service workers: a settlement for a generation."

Behind the huge numbers and the scary headlines are the members who, it must be said, might just be wondering exactly how this is a good deal for them.

The trade unions have spotted a simple message that most people can understand; Pay more, get less, work longer! It's difficult to argue with the first point as most members will see increases to their personal contributions. What a fair amount to pay is precisely and whether tiered contributions are valid in a CARE scheme are good discussion points though.

Getting less isn't clear cut. A CARE scheme will suit many in the public service and can be demonstrated as being a fairer method of earning benefits over a career. Calculations prove that those with flatter earnings growth, linked to reasonable revaluation of secured pension, can end up with more pension than they could have expected from a Final Salary arrangement. And they are living longer so are likely to receive that pension for a longer period – ultimately getting even more.

Working longer is subjective. The changes affect when a pension is payable and do not force people to remain in work. Many people already choose to stay in employment beyond their pension age, perhaps part-time or in a reduced stress environment, to supplement their pension income. They could win.

The Government seems reluctant to share the good messages that reform can bring to many members – maybe at the risk of upsetting the remainder of the voting public?

Clear information will help people understand what the change means for them, how they can work with the revised pension and how they could actually benefit from the changes. Personal communications that show the impact of the change and what choices people have to influence their retirement income can help these important changes be accepted without the unrest that we saw last November when 1.5 million people went on strike.

It doesn't have to be a fight. If what Danny says is true, helping people understand can only help. When people understand they are better equipt to accept the change at hand – even if they still don't like it!

So, keep calm and communicate.

 Mark Belchamber, Director SHILLING Communication