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 and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) has published its Stewardship and Voting guidelines for 2025. The guidelines establish clear...
Law360, The government confirmed on 23 January 2025 that it will close a controversial loophole that has resulted in new retirees being overtaxed to...
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a new webpage setting out how pension providers can register their connection with the pensions...
Law360: The government must consider a separate inheritance tax regime for pension assets, the Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA) has said,...
This week's edition of Pensions weekly highlights includes a review of key news stories, as well as dates for your diary and trackers....
Latest Pensions Practice Notes
Electronic signaturesThis Practice Note describes the law of electronic signatures (also known as digital signatures, e-signatures, E-Signatures,...
Execution of contracts—jurisdictional guideThis guide sets out the requirements for executing simple contracts in various international jurisdictions....
Execution of documents under Scots lawThe rules regarding execution of documents governed by the laws of Scotland are contained in:•the Requirements...
E-signatures—jurisdictional guideThis guide sets out how e-signatures are used in various international jurisdictions. The table provides a...
Execution of deeds—jurisdictional guideThis guide sets out the requirements for executing deeds in various international jurisdictions. The table...
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
Career average
This is a defined benefit basis used to calculate retirement benefits using earnings throughout an employee's career (rather than the approach of basing benefits on earnings near retirement). Also known as average earnings.
Initial margin
The returnable collateral deposited by a futures market participant when opening a position. It is also required of the writers of options.
Prescribed occupation
Any of the following occupations: Athlete, Badminton Player, Boxer, Cricketer, Cyclist, Dancer, Diver (Saturation, Deep Sea and Free Swimming), Footballer, Golfer, Ice Hockey Player, Jockey – Flat Racing, Jockey – National Hunt, Member of the Reserve Forces, Model, Motor Cycle Rider (Motocross or Road Racing), Motor Racing Driver, Rugby League player, Rugby Union Player, Skier (Downhill), Snooker or Billiards Player, Speedway Rider, Squash Player, Table Tennis Player, Tennis Player (including Real Tennis), Trapeze Artiste, Wrestler. (HMRC) (obs)
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