On 28 January 2025, the UK Government announced proposed legislative changes aimed at unlocking scheme surpluses. The changes are aimed at allowing employers to access surplus funds ‘trapped’ within schemes to enable trustees and sponsoring employers the ability to boost
More about Part 1 – Defined benefit (DB) surplus – UK government plans major changes to trapped surplus regimePARLIAMENT Effective Date Effect Bills (and Acts not yet in force) Finance Bill 2024 – 2025 In House of Commons, due to be enacted by 5.4.25 Changes to treatment of transfers to QPOPS in EEA and conditions for QROPS in
More about Part 5 – Pensions ready reckoner December 2024At the Autumn Budget on 30 October 2024 the Chancellor produced at least one rabbit out of the hat: on a member’s death, any unused pension funds and death benefits will be subject to inheritance tax (IHT) from 6 April
More about Part 4 – Pensions and inheritance tax: Uneasy bedfellows?The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, delivered her highly anticipated first Mansion House speech to city leaders on 14 November 2024. Whilst her speech touched on a broad range of financial services policy, it was her announcements on pensions that drew the
More about Part 3 – The Mansion House speech: Unlocking pension fund investment and driving economic growthThe 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 protectionBackground Mr Roy Thomas (the “Appellant“) applied for a cohabiting partner’s pension and a lump-sum death grant from the Southwark Pension Fund (the “Respondent“) following the death of his partner, Ms. Claudette Coke, on 11 March 2021. The Appellant and
More about Part 1 – Cohabitation and financial interdependence – A lesson from the high courtThe festive season is a time for celebration, offering a chance for employers to reward their staff and for colleagues to connect in a more informal and relaxed setting. Office Christmas parties often serve as a well-earned opportunity to unwind
More about Sexual harassment and Christmas partiesPart 2 of our Employment Podcast celebrating World Mental Health Day is here! Listen to Employment Partner Stephen Ravenscroft and Senior Partner Camilla Wallace continue their conversation about mental health challenges in the workplace. How are employers raising awareness of
More about Wedlake Bell Employment Podcast – It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace (part 2)The Employment Rights Bill has now been laid down in parliament. It includes 28 new measures aimed at protecting workers rights and the Government has said it is “the biggest upgrade to rights at work for a generation”. The most
More about The Employment Rights Bill – Major updatesTo mark World Mental Health Day on Thursday 10 October 2024 with the theme ‘It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace’, the next edition of the Wedlake Bell Employment Podcast discusses how organisations can raise awareness of
More about Wedlake Bell Employment Podcast – It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace (part 1)