Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry is on readyness alert for the second report of the Pensions Commission - due to be published later this year - which is expected to push the issue of compulsory contributions on the part of employers and employees high up the political agenda.

It has established a taskforce of experts to feed ideas into the highest level of government, as well as to be an information vehicle for members.

Specialists Jeremy May from PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sam Burden of KPMG, Richard Rendle from Baker Tilly, Simon Laight of Pinsent Masons, Ian Forest from Hammonds and taskforce chairman Michael Hibbs of Shakespeares, have already examined the potential fallout.

The Pensions Commission's first report published in 2004 outlined three broad policy options - a revitalisation of the voluntary system, significant changes to the state system and/ or an increased level of compulsory saving.

Charlotte Ritchie, policy executive at the chamber, said: "The taskforce suggests that the introduction of compulsory contributions is a realistic possibility and an the easy option for government. Businesses need to be ready for it.

"The taskforce hopes for a major revitalisation and simplification of the current state pension system and a raising of retirement age."