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 Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) has released an update from its Dashboards Working Group. It follows on from a busy 2023 and...
The National Audit Office (NAO) has published a report stating that capacity and capability issues have contributed to delays to government’s Pensions...
Law360: The Pensions Regulator (TPR) said it is in talks with the government on formally extending its remit to encompass pension scheme...
The House of Commons (HoC) Library has published updated Research Briefings on 'Pensions: defined benefit superfunds' and the 'Pensions (Special Rules...
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
Auto-enrolment: records that must be kept by trustees, managers and providers—checklistTrustees, managers and providers must keep the following...
Auto-enrolment—opting outJobholders have a statutory right to opt out of a scheme into which they have been enrolled by completing a valid opt-out...
Auto-enrolment: enrolment and jobholder information—checklistOn the auto-enrolment, enrolment or re-enrolment of a jobholder, the auto-enrolment...
Auto-enrolment: records that must be kept by employers—checklistAn employer must keep the following records in relation to a qualifying scheme (SI...
The Financial Assistance Scheme—eligibility and entryCriteria for eligibility for the Financial Assistance SchemeThe Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS)...
Latest Pensions Precedents
Sample opt-out noticeThe sample opt-out notice includes the wording set out in Schedule 1 to SI 2010/772 and the statements required by SI 2010/772,...
Data protection under the EU GDPR—training materialsThe training materials are customisable.Click the links below to download the training...
Policy—time off for pension scheme trustees1Time off for pension scheme trustees1.1As a pension scheme trustee, you have the right to take time off...
Letter of instruction to a single joint expert for valuation and advice on pension rights1IntroductionThis letter is written as a joint instruction to...
Standard order 2.1—financial remedy orderIn the Family Courtsitting at [court name]Case No: [case number][The Matrimonial Causes Act 1973ORThe...
Latest Pensions Q&As
Featured Pensions content
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...
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...
Retirement Annuity Contracts (RAC)—older types of personal pension schemes
Retirement Annuity Contracts (RAC)—older types of personal pension schemesFORTHCOMING DEVELOPMENT: Section 10 of the Finance Act 2022 will increase...
Pension commencement lump sums (PCLSs)
Pension commencement lump sums (PCLSs)When a member of a pension scheme becomes entitled to receive their scheme benefits, they can usually take part...
Indexation and revaluation of pensions—changing from RPI to CPI
Indexation and revaluation of pensions—changing from RPI to CPIFORTHCOMING DEVELOPMENT: Section 10 of the Finance Act 2022 will increase the normal...
What does ‘contracting-out’ mean for pension lawyers?
What does ‘contracting-out’ mean for pension lawyers?Interaction with the additional State pensionBefore 6 April 2016, there were two levels of State...
Defined benefit (DB) pension schemes—who owns the surplus?
Defined benefit (DB) pension schemes—who owns the surplus?THIS PRACTICE NOTE RELATES TO DEFINED BENEFIT OCCUPATIONAL PENSION SCHEMESOne of the most...
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...
Stakeholder pension schemes—the legal requirements
Stakeholder pension schemes—the legal requirementsFORTHCOMING DEVELOPMENT: On 17 March 2021, the Pensions Regulator (TPR) launched a consultation on...
Tax treatment of pensions—an introduction
Tax treatment of pensions—an introductionFORTHCOMING DEVELOPMENT: Section 10 of the Finance Act 2022 will increase the normal minimum pension age...
The Electricity Supply Pension Scheme
The Electricity Supply Pension SchemeFORTHCOMING DEVELOPMENT: Section 10 of the Finance Act 2022 will increase the normal minimum pension age (NMPA)...
Pensions and divorce in Scotland
Pensions and divorce in ScotlandThis Practice Note provides a high-level summary of pension sharing orders on divorce in Scotland as they relate to...
Pension bulk transfers—beginners’ guide
Pension bulk transfers—beginners’ guideThis guide is primarily aimed at trainees, newly qualified lawyers and other persons who are new to or...
Types of overseas pension schemes
Types of overseas pension schemesFORTHCOMING DEVELOPMENT: Section 10 of the Finance Act 2022 will increase the normal minimum pension age (NMPA) from...
Case tracker—forthcoming cases—pensions
Case tracker—forthcoming cases—pensionsThe entries in this tracker are organised by topic. These topics are listed in the Table of Contents (to the...
Dealing with pension scheme members who are insistent clients
Dealing with pension scheme members who are insistent clientsWhat is an insistent client?The term ‘insistent client’ is commonly used to describe an...
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...
Early leavers—revaluation
Early leavers—revaluationFORTHCOMING DEVELOPMENT: Section 10 of the Finance Act 2022 will increase the normal minimum pension age (NMPA) from 55 to 57...
Associated legal terms
Discontinuance valuation
A discontinuance valuation compares the realisable value of the scheme's assets on forced sale with the estimated cost of securing all current earned benefits, often with an insurance company.
Reportable events
From A-day, the scheme administrator must report certain events to HMRC.
Return on equity
(ROE). The last fiscal year earnings per share (ESP) divided by the last fiscal year net equity per share of common stock. ROE tells shareholders how effectually their money is being employed.
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