About Pensions Law
Pensions is already one of the most complex and technical areas of the law. And with new legislation, the advent of auto-enrolment and a move towards defined contribution schemes, it’s about to become even more challenging.
Members and benefits
Navigate the complexities of the revised pensions freedoms regime and the different circumstances of pension benefits, including periods of temporary absence and the indexation and reduction of pensions in payment.
Trustees, governance, and administration
The governance of occupational pension schemes is an area that’s expanded with the increased level of regulation. Our content helps practitioners navigate their way through the web of statutory and regulatory material.
Transactions and reorganisations
The existence of pension arrangements can add complexity and risk to even the most straightforward of corporate transactions. Our content helps guide practitioners through the issues and how to deal with them.
Legislation
Pensions is one of the most complex and technical areas of the law. And with new legislation, the advent of auto-enrolment and a move towards defined contribution schemes, it’s about to become even more challenging.
Topics We Cover
Latest Pensions News
The Department for Education (DfE) has published a consultation on draft regulations which would amend some rules of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme...
The Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) has published interim guidance to help administrators, providers and service centres respond...
This week’s edition of Pensions weekly highlights includes a review of key news stories, as well as dates for your diary and trackers....
Pensions Analysis: The High Court approved both issue-based representative proceedings under CPR 19.2 and a negotiated compromise resolving...
Companies House has updated its transition plan for implementing the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA 2023), revising the...
Latest Pensions Practice Notes
This Practice Note provides an introduction to pension liberation, what it is, why it happens, its structures and characteristics, and considerations...
This Practice Note focuses on the alpha scheme.What is the alpha scheme?The alpha scheme, which is part of the Civil Service Pension (CSP)...
THIS PRACTICE NOTE APPLIES TO OCCUPATIONAL PENSION SCHEMESThis Practice Note explores the pension rights of opposite-sex and same-sex spouses and...
What is the PCSPS?Up to 30 September 2002, the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS) was the sole pension arrangement available in the civil...
In this Practice Note, the term ‘cohabitant’ is used to refer to an unmarried partner (other than a civil partner) of a member.This Practice Note also...
Latest Pensions Precedents
The model discretionary investment management agreement can be found on the Investment Association’s website here. Please note that non-members of the...
This Agreement is made on [insert date—note that admission agreements can take effect on a date earlier than the date of execution].Parties1[insert...
The sample opt-out notice includes the wording set out in Schedule 1 to SI 2010/772 and the statements required by SI 2010/772, reg 9(6)(aa).Notice to...
ARCHIVED: This Precedent has been archived and is not maintained.These training materials consist of template PowerPoint slides that can be used as...
1IntroductionThis letter is written as a joint instruction to you as an expert in financial remedy proceedings relating to [divorce OR dissolution]...
Latest Pensions Q&As
Featured Pensions content
Self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs)
Self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs)When personal pensions were first introduced in April 1988, they could only be established by authorised...
Small self-administered schemes (SSASs)
Small self-administered schemes (SSASs)What is a SSAS?Small self-administered schemes (SSASs) are usually registered pension schemes that are set up...
Section 32 buy-out policies
Section 32 buy-out policiesWhat is a section 32 buy-out policy?A term which may be often heard within the pensions arena is that of the ‘section 32...
The pre A-day pensions tax regime [Archived]
The pre A-day pensions tax regimeThe pensions tax regime under the Finance Act 2004 came into effect on 6 April 2006, otherwise known as A-day. The...
How is the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) different from a typical occupational pension scheme?
How is the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) different from a typical occupational pension scheme?FORTHCOMING DEVELOPMENT: Section 10 of the...
Registration of pension schemes
Registration of pension schemesBenefits of registrationRegistration provides advantageous tax reliefs and exemptions for a pension scheme and its...
DWP finds £571.6m state pension shortfall
The DWP announced on 21 March 2024 that it has so far identified 97,000 payments that were each short between £2,192 and £12,486.The DWP has launched...
Are apprentices auto-enrolled into a pension if they earn under 10,000 per year and are aged under 18?
What issues should an employer consider when providing life insurance to its employees?
Anti-franking
Anti-frankingThe conceptIt used to be the case that contracted-out salary-related (COSR) schemes could revalue a deferred member's guaranteed minimum...
Surrender and forfeiture of pension benefits
Surrender and forfeiture of pension benefitsTHIS PRACTICE NOTE APPLIES TO OCCUPATIONAL PENSION SCHEMES ONLYThis Practice Note considers the extent to...
Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes (QROPS)
Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes (QROPS)Why use a QROPS?In practice, many Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes (QROPSs) are...
Bridging pensions
Bridging pensionsThis Practice Note contains references to case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union. For guidance on whether EU...
Pension consultation requirements
Pension consultation requirementsEmployers are required by statute to consult with members or their representatives for at least 60 days before making...
Relevant life and excepted group life policies—practical issues
Relevant life and excepted group life policies—practical issuesStatute provides for two tax-efficient alternatives to a life assurance policy held...
Investment management agreements—trustee considerations
Investment management agreements—trustee considerationsThe management of assets belonging to another person on a discretionary basis is a 'regulated...
Auto-enrolment—postponement
Auto-enrolment—postponementAn employer can postpone the date on which the auto-enrolment obligations would otherwise apply to an eligible jobholder by...
Types of pension schemes—beginners’ guide
Types of pension schemes—beginners’ guideThis guide is primarily aimed at trainees, newly qualified lawyers and other persons who are new to or...
Associated legal terms
Barbell (investing)
A bond investment strategy that concentrates holdings in both very short-term and extremely long-term maturities. The idea is that one part of the portfolio minimizes risk and the other achieves high yields so that on average, the investor can have the best of both worlds. There are dangers in averages.
Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs
The merged departments of: (1) Inland Revenue, (2) National Insurance and (3) Customs and Excise.
PPF 7800 Index
An index of 7,800 pension funds prepared by the PPF (Pension Protection Fund) showing the aggregate funding position; it demonstrates funding volatility – in March 2008 funds showed a deficit of £23bn, and in April 2008 a surplus of £30bn – which is a problem for the PPF but not for funds.
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