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 Prime Minister's Office has announced several ministerial appointments approved by the King. Emma Reynolds MP has been appointed as Economic...
Pensions analysis: In the determination of Mr Hyman (CAS-88359–S7J2), the Deputy Pensions Ombudsman has rejected a complaint about a scheme opt out...
Pensions analysis: In the determination of Mr R, CAS-63400-N0T9, the Deputy Pensions Ombudsman has rejected a complaint about a pension transfer into...
The Pensions Dashboards Programme (PDP) has published a blog on the updated draft reporting standards for pension providers and schemes (published in...
The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) has released its latest 7800 index update for January 2025, revealing a £9.3 billion decrease in the estimated...
Latest Pensions Practice Notes
Pension attachment ordersThis Practice Note explains what a pension attachment order made in family proceedings (previously referred to as an...
The Pension Protection Fund and family proceedingsThis Practice Note sets out the criteria for the Pension Protection Fund to pay compensation to the...
International aspects of pensions on divorce etcThis Practice Note sets out different types of overseas pension plans and their features as well as...
Pensions and judicial separationThis Practice Note sets out the pension options in relation to judicial separation or separation proceedings, in which...
Defined benefit pensions issues for charitiesFORTHCOMING DEVELOPMENT: In its consultation paper published on 12 September 2024, the PPF proposes:• a...
Latest Pensions Precedents
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...
Letter from company to acknowledge salary sacrifice[insert date of letter]To: [insert name of employee]From: [insert name of person in charge of...
Salary sacrifice scheme—employee FAQs[For use only where the employee is foregoing salary for the following benefits that retain Tax and/or NICs...
HMRC salary sacrifice clearance letterWealthy TeamHM Revenue & CustomsBX9 1BN[insert date of letter][insert company PAYE reference]Dear [insert...
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
Guidance from Pensions Regulator
The Pensions Regulator produces guidance to help improve understanding of work-based pension schemes and to promote good practice.
In-specie transfer
A direct transfer of a basket of stocks from one manager's portfolio to another without disinvesting and reinvesting.
Markets in Financial Instruments Directive
The Markets in Financial Instruments Directive 2004/39/EC is an EU Directive that incorporates a revised set of investment regulations within the EU as from 1 November 2007. Occupational pension schemes, as ‘a client who possesses the experience, knowledge and expertise to make its own decisions and properly assess the risks it incurs’, are designated as professional clients of investment managers and enjoy a slightly lower standard of care than retail investors.
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