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The Autumn Budget 2024: what does it mean for pensions?
Much of the Government's commentary in the run up to this week's Budget focussed on the "£22 billion black hole" the Chancellor has identified in the public finances. Indeed, those who played "Budget Bingo" while watching on Wednesday will have been excited to hear Rachel Reeves mention the £22 billion black hole no fewer than five times. The cost of current pensions tax relief is estimated to be £48.7 billion. So, no surprises that the Chancellor is seeking to plug that black hole with further limits on pensions tax relief.
How to equalise guaranteed minimum pensions (GMPs)
Key steps to a successful conversion.
Pensions in 2019 - our top six
2019 promises to be another busy year for the pensions sector. This briefing picks out six topics that will be of interest to employers and trustees in the coming months.
Pensions consolidation team
Find out more about how our pensions consolidation team can help trustees and sponsoring employers take the first steps on the journey to buy-out benefits.
New obligations on trustees – disclosure and stewardship
Trustees will already be aware of additional disclosure obligations that will begin to apply to them from October this year, following the publication of Regulations in 2018 (the 2018 Regulations).
The journey to pension scheme consolidation
Find out about how the Stephenson Harwood pensions team can support trustees and sponsoring employers on their approach to consolidation.
What trustees and sponsors need to know from recent case law
The courts have offered essential guidance to sponsors and trustees in a number of cases over the past 12 months. This briefing discusses some of the most 'need to know' case law developments.
Indexation under the BT Pension Scheme: the Court of Appeal's decision
The Court of Appeal has handed down its decision in the most recent instalment in the case law determining when pension schemes can switch indices for the purposes of indexation.
HMRC extends deadlines for registering trust based pension schemes
The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 require trustees of trust based occupational pension schemes to register their trust with HMRC.
Dividends, recovery plans and long-term funding targets
Trustees and sponsors of defined benefit pension schemes should be aware of the annual funding statement issued by the Pensions Regulator in March 2019.
Moving to a Master Trust
In the last five years, there has been an enormous growth in master trusts. They now house over 10 million employees. Many employers have switched to take advantage of the cost saving and services they can provide. The Stephenson Harwood pensions law team has considerable experience advising clients on the legal route to master trust transfers, and has prepared this guide for those considering moving to a master trust.
New investment and disclosure obligations on pension scheme trustees from October 2019
This briefing gives a summary of the key new obligations arising from both sets of regulations.
GDPR and pension schemes: What trustees need to do
Download our eight point data protection check for trustees.
Watch out, watch out – the Regulator's about
Sponsors must now, more than ever, ensure that they keep their defined benefit pension schemes at the forefront of their minds - particularly when embarking on corporate activity.
Barnardo's indexation case: Supreme Court adds another piece to the jigsaw
The Supreme Court has given judgment on the next instalment in the case law determining when pension schemes can switch indices for the purposes of revaluation and indexation.
Court of Appeal provides guidance on the Pensions Regulator’s powers to issue a Financial Support Direction
In December 2001, the Pensions Regulator issued a Financial Support Direction (FSD) to certain companies in the ITV group (the Target) requesting that they provide support to the Box Clever Group Pension Scheme (the Scheme).