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
On 26 March 2026, the House of Lords held the third reading of the Pension Schemes Bill. Debate at this stage focused less on introducing substantive...
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 Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published consultation paper CP26/10: Simplifying the pensions and investment advice rules, seeking to make...
Law360: The government has announced that a new working group has been set up to develop statutory guidance to support retirement scheme trustees in...
Law360: The House of Lords has voted to remove a measure from the Pension Schemes Bill mandating that retirement plans commit to certain investments,...
Latest Pensions Practice Notes
This legislation tracker is divided into the following sections:•Forthcoming Acts and Bills•Forthcoming Statutory Instruments•Forthcoming FCA...
This Lexis+® UK Pensions consultation tracker tool displays key consultations (both formal and informal) conducted in the last 12 months by HM...
This tracker contains a list of pensions judgments handed down by the General Regulatory Chamber (GRC) of the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) and Upper...
This Practice Note is a horizon scanner tracking key future developments in the field of pensions law in England and Wales. It provides details of key...
This Practice Note tracks the progress of UK legislation introduced as part of the legislative project associated with the UK’s withdrawal from the...
Latest Pensions Precedents
Date: [insert date](1)[Name of Principal Company](2)[Names of Trustees](3)[Name of New Employer]Deed of Participationrelating to[Name of Scheme]This...
This precedent has been prepared on the basis that the drafter is acting for the buyerDrafted on the basis that the target company (the Company) is a...
THIS PRECEDENT HAS BEEN PREPARED ON THE BASIS THAT THE DRAFTER IS ACTING FOR THE SELLERDrafted on the basis that the target company (the Company) is a...
This precedent has been prepared on the basis that the drafter is acting for the buyerThe following warranties have been drafted for a transaction...
This precedent has been prepared on the basis that the drafter is acting for the buyerDrafted on the basis that the target company (the Company) is a...
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
Alternative assets
Alternative investments include real estate, hedge funds, private equity and commodities, ie they are not bonds or equities or cash. They are bought in order to enhance expected return and diversify a portfolio. Alternative assets are usually unquoted and therefore less liquid than equities and bonds.
Benefit crystallisation event
This is a defined event or occurrence that triggers a test of a member’s benefits against the available lifetime allowance.
Relevant annuity
A single life annuity without a guaranteed term.
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