Processing sensitive and special category data increases the risks of data breaches. Pension schemes are attractive targets for cyber-attacks, for example, the attack suffered by Capita in March 2023. Schemes are exposed to significant financial and reputational risk. Last year
More about Data protection – vulnerability of pension schemesFrom 6 April 2027, many unused pension funds and pension death benefits under registered pension schemes will be brought into a deceased person’s estate for inheritance tax (“IHT”) purposes. This marks a significant shift – for years, pensions have been
More about Planning for major change: relevant unused pension funds and pension death benefits will become subject to inheritance tax from 6 April 2027Timescale for making Regulations: An Act of Parliament such as the PSA 2026 is scrutinised as it passes through its Parliamentary Stages in the House of Commons and House of Lords. In contrast, Regulations are made by, in effect, the
More about Pension Schemes Act 2026 – what’s in force and what’s coming up?As employment practices evolve, landed estates may benefit from reconsidering their approach to funding retirement accommodation, and instead pay enhanced contributions into their employees’ pension schemes. This alternative may offer the opportunity for superior investment returns and tax efficiencies compared
More about Part 2 – Should landed estates opt for enhanced employer contributions?The UK Government has taken a significant step with the introduction of the new Pension Schemes Bill towards making it easier for defined benefit (“DB“) pension scheme surpluses to be paid to employers. According to the Government’s consultation response in
More about Part 2 – Surplus reformsUndoubtedly the Government’s aims are bold: to slant schemes’ investments in ways the Government perceive to be in the interests of the UK economy, improving the lot of members by hopefully enhancing investment returns, and releasing – so the Government hopes
More about Pension Schemes Bill due to be laid in parliament on 5th June 2025 – Giant STEP forward?The Pensions Ombudsman (“TPO”) has recently issued two noteworthy determinations with important implications for pension schemes and their members: (i) Mr H v Olivetti UK Limited Pension and Life Assurance Scheme (“Mr H’s Case”); and (ii) Mr N v Volkswagen
More about Part 3 – Pick of the pensions ombudsman’s decisionsThe recent case of Lefort v HMRC [2024], featuring one of Wedlake Bell’s very own Pensions Compass articles, serves as a costly reminder to fixed protection holders that inadvertent pension contributions will not be treated favourably by HMRC or the
More about Part 2 – Taxpayer’s mistake no defence to loss of his protection