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 Research Accountants Group (PRAG) has published the Statement of Recommended Practice, Financial Reports of Pension Schemes 2026 (SORP)....
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has published updated guidance on ‘comply or explain’ reporting intended to help investors, proxy advisers and...
This week's edition of Pensions weekly highlights includes a review of key news stories, as well as dates for your diary and trackers....
Explanatory notes have been published for government amendments to Finance Bill 2026....
Pensions analysis: The House of Lords considered the National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill at Report stage on 5...
Latest Pensions Practice Notes
What is a guaranteed annuity rate (GAR)?Many pension policies issued before 1988 offered their members a GAR.A GAR is an entitlement to a specific...
In this Practice Note, references to the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) Order are to the National Employment Savings trust Order 2010, SI...
In this Practice Note, references to the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) Order are to the National Employment Savings Trust Order 2010, SI...
This Practice Note tracks the progress of the Pension Schemes Bill (PSB) through Parliament, including any amendments made to the PSB. The Practice...
FORTHCOMING CHANGE: The Pension Schemes Bill, which is expected to receive Royal Assent in 2026, enables regulations to be made to define which...
Latest Pensions Precedents
1Interpretation...
This Agreement is made on [date] 1 [insert name of party] [of OR trading as [insert trading name]...
1Conflicts of interest[No conflict of interest was reported prior to, or at the commencement of the meeting OR [Insert name] declared a conflict of...
This Agreement is made on [date]Between1[ ] of [ ] (the ‘Administering Authority’);2[ ] of [ ] (the ‘Scheme Employer’);3[ ] of [ ] (the ‘Admission...
1Interpretation1.1The following definitions and rules of interpretation apply in this Schedule:Broadly Comparable Pension Scheme•a pension scheme...
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
Abandonment
Description of the practice of employers making their previously sponsored schemes independent of their sponsor.
Medium bond
A bond with a term to redemption of between 5 and 15 years.
Out-of-the-money
For a call option, when the market price of the underlying asset is below the exercise price. For a put option, when the exercise price is below the market price.
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