Nick Stones

Partner, Pinsent Masons

Nick is a partner at Pinsent Masons specialising in pensions. He advises corporate sponsors and trustees of pension schemes. Nick also has experience in the public sector, acting for contractors and central and local government. He has also built up an increasing presence in advising charitable and not-for-profit organisations on managing pension risks.

Nick is a full member of the Association of Pension Lawyers, he sits on the regional committee of the Pensions Management Institute, presents at internal and external seminars and writes for the pension press.

Contributed to

2

Asset-backed contributions for pension schemes

Practice Notes

This Practice Note covers what asset-backed contributions (ABCs) are, how they can be used to reduce deficits in defined benefit (DB) occupational pension schemes and the main considerations when setting up such an arrangement. In particular, this Practice Note looks at the suitability of the arrangement, the investment requirements, the necessary documentation and negotiation process, the main risks involved, the Pensions Regulator’s approach to asset-backed contributions, and other considerations specific to trustees.

Pensions

Statement of investment principles (SIP)

Practice Notes

This Practice Note covers the statutory requirement to prepare a statement of investment principles (SIP), the schemes excluded from the requirement, SIP content requirements (including in respect of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, stewardship, non-financial matters and asset manager arrangements), when the SIP should be reviewed/revised, disclosure and publication requirements relating to the SIP, the extent to which employers should be consulted and the publication of an implementation statement relating to the SIP. This Practice Note also looks at the requirement, from 6 April 2015, to prepare and revise a SIP in relation to a money purchase scheme’s default arrangement(s).

Pensions