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
Share Incentives analysis: Elissavet Grout is a partner in the Tax Department at Travers Smith LLP and heads the firm's Incentives and Remuneration...
Pensions UK has published findings from a survey of 2,082 respondents conducted by Yonder Consulting in September 2025, highlighting a strong demand...
Pensions analysis: The Pensions Ombudsman has partly upheld a complaint about a return of pension paid by mistake. Martin Scott of gunnercooke LLP...
Pensions analysis: The Deputy Pensions Ombudsman has partly upheld a complaint about splitting pension assets and maladministration in a SSAS. Martin...
Pensions analysis: The Deputy Pensions Ombudsman has rejected a complaint about an employer’s decision not to grant a discretionary pension increase...
Latest Pensions Practice Notes
DeedsUnder English law, legally binding agreements can be made orally, in writing or by deed.This Practice Notice considers the circumstances in which...
Electronic signaturesThis Practice Note describes the law of electronic signatures (also known as digital signatures, e-signatures, E-Signatures,...
Consultation tracker—pensionsThis Lexis+® UK Pensions consultation tracker tool displays key consultations (both formal and informal) conducted in the...
Legislation tracker—pensionsThis legislation tracker is divided into the following sections:•Forthcoming Acts and Bills•Forthcoming Statutory...
Horizon scanning—PensionsThis Practice Note summarises the key legal developments that are expected to impact pension lawyers within the next 18...
Latest Pensions Precedents
HMRC salary sacrifice clearance letterFORTHCOMING CHANGE: On 26 November 2025, as part of Budget 2025, it was announced that from April 2029, only...
Acknowledgment of changes to terms and conditions of employment to implement salary sacrificesFORTHCOMING CHANGE: On 26 November 2025, as part of...
Salary sacrifice scheme—employee FAQsFORTHCOMING CHANGE: On 26 November 2025, as part of Budget 2025, it was announced that from April 2029, only the...
Standard order 2.1—financial remedy orderIn the Family Courtsitting at [court name]Case No: [case number][The Matrimonial Causes Act 1973ORThe...
Letter from employee to company confirming agreement to salary sacrificeFORTHCOMING CHANGE: On 26 November 2025, as part of Budget 2025, it was...
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
Income drawdown
Allows a pension scheme member to continue to invest a fund whilst drawing a limited income.
Liquidity risk premium
In order to overcome investors' desire for liquidity, less liquid assets must offer a higher return (‘premium’) to compensate for reduced flexibility.
Pensionable earnings
The earnings on which benefits and/or contributions are calculated under the scheme rules of a defined benefits scheme.
CONTACT US
