The Church of England is reviewing its defined benefit pension scheme in an effort to keep it open to all employees.

Increasing the accrual period for a full pension from 37-40 years for future employees will be included in the proposals, in addition to setting up a new policy with no discretionary link between pension and stipend increases for clergy, reports Personnel Today.

A Church of England spokesman said: "Many organisations are currently ending their defined benefit schemes. To avoid having to take such action, the Church of England is considering a range of options to retain the benefits of this type of scheme, which we recognise is an important part of the overall package we offer stipendiary clergy."

The proposals, recommended by the Archbishops' Council Committee, will be debated at the Church of England's General Assembly later this month.

In other Church of England news, a "full and challenging" agenda for the forthcoming General Synod has been announced, which will include key meetings on the Church's position on homosexual members as well as "standards of taste and decency in the media".

The Secretary General of the General Synod William Fittall announced the February Synod earlier in the week.