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
This week’s edition of Pensions weekly highlights includes a review of key news stories, as well as dates for your diary and trackers....
The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Advisory Board has written to Local Government Minister Jim McMahon OBE MP seeking an urgent meeting on...
Private Client analysis: From April 2027 some pension death benefits will be within scope of inheritance tax (IHT). New Regulations were published on...
Pensions analysis: In Reed v Revenue and Customs Commissioners, the First-tier Tribunal upheld an unauthorised payments charge arising from a pension...
This week’s edition of Pensions weekly highlights includes a review of key news stories, as well as dates for your diary and trackers....
Latest Pensions Practice Notes
SummaryThis Practice Note covers the status of Financial Support Directions (FSDs) issued under the Pensions Act 2004 (PA 2004), more particularly the...
This Practice Note is based on the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and consent guidance published by the Information Commissioner’s...
This Practice Note is intended for private-sector commercial organisations in the UK. It sets out expectations of the Information Commissioner’s...
Although defined benefit pension schemes (DB schemes) are in decline in the private sector, there still remain in excess of 5,000 private sector DB...
THIS PRACTICE NOTE APPLIES IN RELATION TO DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PENSION SCHEMESIn a defined contribution (DC) scheme (whether an occupational pension...
Latest Pensions Precedents
This document provides general guidance regarding financial disclosure. Your family lawyer will be able to provide specific advice based on your...
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...
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
Bid/offer spread
The difference between the bid and offer prices, typically of the order of 5% representing a charge levied by a life company or unit trust on each premium paid or unit bought or sold; the difference between the purchase (offer) and sale (bid) price.
Income withdrawal
This is a facility introduced by the Finance Act 2004 that enables a member of a defined contribution scheme to draw an annual income from their pension monies not yet used to secure a pension ie an unsecured pension, while leaving the rest invested.
Paid-up
This refers to the state of a life assurance policy where no further premiums are being paid but life cover continues.
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