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 Regulator (TPR) has released a series of short films to promote pension dashboard readiness as the first schemes begin connecting to the...
The Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) has published updated and expanded guidance on data readiness requirements for pension scheme...
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 Pensions Regulator (TPR) has published a report calling for small defined contribution (DC) pension schemes to improve their climate risk...
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) and the Pension Scams Action Group (PSAG) have developed a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool to identify fraudulent...
Latest Pensions Practice Notes
Late payment of contributions to pension schemesBefore 2012, there was no general requirement for employers to either:•make contributions in respect...
Pension scheme reporting requirementsTHIS PRACTICE NOTE APPLIES TO REGISTERED OCCUPATIONAL PENSION SCHEMESTrustee reporting obligations have increased...
The scheme-specific funding regimeThe statutory framework The Pensions Act 2004 (PeA 2004) introduced a ‘scheme-specific’ funding regime applying to...
Brexit legislation trackerThis Practice Note tracks the progress of UK legislation introduced as part of the legislative project associated with the...
Execution formalities—limited liability partnershipsThis Practice Note provides practical guidance on proper execution of simple contracts and deeds...
Latest Pensions Precedents
Member-nominated trustees—invitation to nominateTo: the [active AND/OR deferred AND/OR pensioner] members [(the “Members”)] of the [insert name of...
Resolution to adopt a member-nominated trustee arrangement under the Pensions Act 2004, s 241In accordance with s 241 of the Pensions Act 2004, the...
Member-nominated trustee—nomination formTo: the Trustees of the [insert name of pension scheme] (the “Scheme”)NB: to be a valid nomination, this form...
Member-nominated trustee arrangementTo: the [Active AND/OR Deferred AND/OR Pensioner] Members (“[the Members]”) of the [insert name pension scheme]...
Selection of member-nominated trustees—ballot formThe Scheme's arrangement for the selection and appointment of member-nominated trustees requires...
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
Covenant
(1) legal safeguard put in place to protect bondholder's interests
(2) underlying promise of the employer to pay contributions to a pension scheme
Double taxation
This refers to the payment of tax twice, both at the point of payment and at the point of receipt where the payment is received in a country that is not the country in which it was paid. Countries may voluntarily enter into double taxation agreements to prevent tax being levied twice.
International benefits
Benefits which usually are awarded to individuals who come from one country, for a company based in a second country, for work done in a third country. These individuals are known as TCNs – third country nationals.
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