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 decisionsOn 3rd February 2025 the High Court approved the merger of the Arcadia Executive Scheme (“Executive Scheme”) with the Arcadia Staff Scheme (“Staff Scheme”). Key Point: The case revolves around whether proposed scheme amendments were for a scheme’s proper purposes.
More about Part 4 – High court approves scheme merger diluting surplusEmployment partner Stephen Ravenscroft has seen his fair share of complexities when it comes to business succession. As part of a series of conversations with partners at Wedlake Bell, where we explore succession from both personal and corporate perspectives, Steve
More about Part 1 – Business of Succession: Success and employment law strategies when selling a businessBackground 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 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 protectionThe 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 growthAt 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?PARLIAMENT 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 2024The 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)