The change to the 40 year rule and all of this is driven by legislation, not NATS. However, they are using it as a convenient tool by which to make large savings on future liabilities.[/quote]
NATS interprets legislation to its advantage. It could be argued that the 40 year rule is legal as, under the legislation we can work for as long as we want. Someone joining at 25 can now work till they are 65 thereby building up a full 40 years hence full pension.
Prior to the legislation being introduced NATS could insist that you retire at 60 thereby denying that 25 years old joiner the opportunity to build up a full pension. It could be argue that the new legislation enables more people to benefit from the 40 year rule