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
Pensions analysis: The Pensions Ombudsman has partially upheld a complaint about incorrect member communication. Martin Scott of gunnercooke LLP looks...
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has published a regulatory intervention report highlighting how it used its anti-avoidance powers to prevent a...
Pensions analysis: The Pensions Ombudsman has rejected a complaint about a return of pension paid by mistake. Martin Scott of gunnercooke LLP looks at...
The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) has opened a consultation on proposed revisions to the assumptions used for valuations under sections 143 and 179 of...
The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) Pensions Board has published An actuarial roadmap for better retirement outcomes, setting out the...
Latest Pensions Practice Notes
ARCHIVED: This Practice Note has been archived and is not maintained.This Practice Note provides background reading on the key forms and principles of...
ARCHIVED: This Practice Note has been archived and is not maintained. It tracks the progress of UK primary legislation introduced as part of the...
ARCHIVED: This Practice Note has been archived and is not maintained.On 23 June 2016, the UK held a referendum on its membership of the EU, with a...
The UK’s formal withdrawal from the EU took effect at 11 pm on 31 January 2020 (exit day). At this point, the withdrawal period under Article 50 TEU...
This Practice Note provides an overview of retained EU law as it applied from 2021–23, including the key definitions and concepts with reference to...
Latest Pensions Precedents
1IntroductionThis letter is written as a joint instruction to you as an expert in financial remedy proceedings relating to [divorce OR dissolution]...
ARCHIVED: This Precedent has been archived and is not maintained.These training materials consist of template PowerPoint slides that can be used as...
THE [insert name of pension scheme] PENSION SCHEMEThis statement of investment principles is effective from [insert date].1Statement of investment...
This Deed of Merger is made on the [insert day] day of [insert date].Parties1[TRUSTEE OF TRANSFERRING SCHEME] (Company No. [ ]) whose registered...
1Interpretation1.1The following definitions and rules of interpretation apply in this Schedule:Broadly Comparable Pension Scheme•a pension scheme...
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
Deflation
Negative inflation, ie falling prices.
Portability Directive
A draft EU Directive intended to give EU workers the right to join a pension scheme, obtain vested rights within a reasonable time and the right to transfer those pension rights when they leave.
Segmentation
The process whereby a number of schemes are set up at the same time to allow the member to draw benefits at different times (phased annuity).
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