The provision of future pension benefits, as well as funding and managing historic pension schemes are increasingly complex areas for UK corporates and pension scheme trustees.
We advise on all aspects of UK pensions law and provide business-focused advice to ensure clients avoid sanctions and reputational risk, and drive meaningful cashflow and capital management. We combine our legal advice with expertise from pensions professionals to form a joined-up pensions service. We also draw on the expertise of colleagues in other disciplines including tax, corporate governance and investment to provide a complete business solution.
Technology and innovation are at the heart of everything we do, allowing us to combine law and business to deliver outstanding commercial results and cost-effective full service solutions.
The Pensions Regulator now has stronger powers with increased personal responsibility for individuals and employers. They are now also increasingly proactive and assertive in using these powers.
All schemes should have a long-term funding target agreed between the trustees and company. Trustees will be challenged if they rely on the company's covenant for more than a few years without suitable security and/or guarantees. Where a business make payments to other stakeholders (e.g. dividends), they must pay off any pension deficit over a short period.
Businesses that exceed two of three thresholds (£36m turnover; £18m total balance sheet asset; 250 employees) in a financial year must now explain how they have considered stakeholders’ interests when performing their reporting duties.
Mismanagement of schemes can lead to negative publicity, which can have an adverse impact on a business’ reputation and finances.
We create a well-managed scheme with a clear strategy, which leads to better decisions and fewer surprises along the route. At the start of a valuation process or relevant corporate activity, we help you establish how to deal with the regulatory process and how this should influence the company and trustees approach. As part of our strategy, we:
We identify and address any weaknesses, perceived or otherwise, in the governance structure, including conflicts of interest to ensure there is clarity on positions taken and processes for decision making.
We help document the process followed and intention behind action, on the assumption that it will be available to all parties. This should include company/trustee board minutes and detail on dividend recommendations, such as supporting analysis showing the appropriateness, sign off and payment process.
UK employers must have pension arrangements and provide a minimum level of pension contributions for their employees. However, many employers provide more generous pension contributions, along with benefits payable on the ill-health or death of employees while they remain employed.
We work closely with colleagues in our work-based savings and benefits team to advise employers on the options available, including:
We help solve your pensions issues by advising on:
