In advance of the 2012 pension reforms, NCVO has partnered with Lloyds subsidiaries Scottish Widows and IFA Lucas Fettes to provide pensions advice and planning to the umbrella body's 8,400 members and their 280,000 staff.

The 2012 pension reforms will see all employers regardless of size liable for a minimum 3 per cent contribution to pensions phased-in over the five years from the legislation's introduction. Non-compliance with the pensions contribution could lead to substantial fines of up to £50,000 or up to two years in prison. 

The service will provide a combination of free compliance advice to charities and paid-for access to specialist advice services from Lucas Fettes, and a discounted workplace pension scheme for charity employees through the Scottish Widows Group Personal Pension with access to online microsite mymoneyworks.co.uk.

Pete Glancy, head of corporate pensions propositions at Scottish Widows, said: "Between 2012 and 2016 every organisation in the country will be impacted by pensions reform legislation.

"Meeting these new obligations could be both costly and complex.  We are delighted to have the opportunity to help the voluntary sector and we will do absolutely everything we can to reduce the size of the challenge which pensions reform presents.  

Richard Williams, director of enterprise and development at NCVO adds: "This workplace pension solution has been designed to add real value to both voluntary sector employers and their employees, combining the latest technologies with competitive pricing and access to financial advice, helping employers consider their financial futures."

For employees to take advantage of the scheme their workplace must be signed up through the NCVO.