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
Law360: The government announced on 30 January 2025 that it is considering allowing the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) more flexibility over how it...
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published its evaluation paper 25/1, which sets out results and lessons learned from the regulator’s ban on...
The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) has today published its levy rules for 2025/26. Following its last update in December 2024, the PPF has collaborated...
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 Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is exploring proposals to grant the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) increased flexibility in reducing the...
Latest Pensions Practice Notes
Horizon scanning—PensionsThis Practice Note summarises the key legal developments that are expected to impact pension lawyers within the next 18...
Defined benefit (DB) pension schemes—who owns the surplus?FORTHCOMING DEVELOPMENT: While hosting a roundtable meeting with leaders of the UK’s biggest...
Payment of surplus to the employer—ongoing pension schemesFORTHCOMING DEVELOPMENT: While hosting a roundtable meeting with leaders of the UK’s biggest...
The Pension Protection Fund—reducing the risk-based levySTOP PRESS: On 30 January 2025 the PPF published its policy statement and 2025/26 levy rules...
The Pension Protection Fund—the pension protection levySTOP PRESS: On 30 January 2025 the PPF published its policy statement and 2025/26 levy rules...
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
Book value
The value at which something (eg a security) is recorded in a company's balance sheet (often the cost of buying it). If securities have been acquired at different times, the book value will reflect the average buying cost.
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.
Relevant commencement date
This means: (a) in the case of a cash balance arrangement or a defined benefits arrangement or a hybrid arrangement, the only benefits under which may be cash balance benefits or defined benefits, the date on which rights under the arrangement begin to accrue to or in respect of the individual; or (b) in the case of a money purchase arrangement other than a cash balance arrangement, the first date on which a contribution within the Finance Act 2004, s 233(1) is made; or (c) in the case of a hybrid arrangement not within paragraph (a), whichever is the earlier of the date mentioned in that paragraph and the date mentioned in paragraph (b).
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