TomBola,
There is very little anyone can do to save final salary schemes as current government legislations allows companies to legally close them.
thechopper,
CHC Scotia has a similar problem which the association has been fighting for some time. The payment of tax on a loss of licence payment depends on a couple of criteria-
If the loss of licence payment is made by the insurance company directly to the employee, then, no tax is payable. However, if the payment is made via the company, then, tax is payable unless the employee has paid tax on the amount of the premium paid for the insurance (which is what CHC Scotia pilots are having to do). These are Inland revenue requirements.
It would be easier for all concerned (the company would save on national Insurance payments) if the insurance was paid directly to the employee, but, again this is not possible due I believe to government fears of corruption, money laundering, etc.
An immense amount of work has been done by Balpa members on these two subjects, both at head office and at company level. It has been researched thoroughly and is still an ongoing topic.
Chopperman.