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
Law360: The Pensions Regulator (TPR) expressed concern on 13 October 2025 that smaller schemes are not doing enough to prepare for new guided...
Law360, London: The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) outlined its next steps to prevent financial crime at its annual general meeting (AGM) on 9...
Pensions UK has published findings from its latest report titled ‘2030 Ready: The Industry Lens’, ahead of its Annual Conference, revealing members’...
The Investment Association (IA) has published its Investment Management Survey for 2024-2025, reporting that pension assets remain the largest...
The Pensions Data Project has released its final report from the Private Beta phase, revealing that over 2m small pension pots across five major UK...
Latest Pensions Practice Notes
Implementing a salary sacrificeSince 6 April 2017, the income tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs) advantages where benefits in kind are...
The Pension Protection Fund and family proceedingsThis Practice Note sets out the criteria for the Pension Protection Fund to pay compensation to the...
Trustee insurance in pensionsOther protections available to trusteesDespite dire warnings about the onerous nature of trusteeship, the liabilities...
The Judicial Pension Scheme 1993 (JUPRA)Statutory frameworkThe Judicial Pension Scheme encompasses a number of schemes:•the Judicial Pension Scheme...
Small pension pot consolidation—pot for lifeFORTHCOMING CHANGE: The Pension Schemes Bill, which is expected to receive Royal Assent in 2026, includes...
Latest Pensions Precedents
Letter from company to acknowledge salary sacrifice[insert date of letter]To: [insert name of employee]From: [insert name of person in charge of...
Letter from employee to company confirming agreement to salary sacrifice[For use only where the employee is foregoing salary for the following...
Acknowledgment of changes to terms and conditions of employment to implement salary sacrifices[insert date of letter]This document summarises certain...
Letter from company inviting employees to join salary sacrifice[Insert name and address of employee][For use only where the employee is foregoing...
Salary sacrifice scheme—employee FAQs[For use only where the employee is foregoing salary for the following benefits that retain Tax and/or NICs...
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
Forward (agreement)
An agreement to buy or sell an asset at a future date at a price agreed today. Forwards are similar to futures. However, forwards are not exchange-traded.
SSAP 24
The statement of standard accounting practice that, until recently, required pension liabilities (and assets) to be reflected in the accounts of the sponsoring employer.
Top hat pension scheme
Also known as an executive pension scheme, a top hat scheme is an occupational pension scheme where membership is restricted to certain employees only (invariably senior management and directors).
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