Offshore workers now to be included in workplace pension reforms

The much publicised workplace pension reforms have now extended their reach beyond the shores of the UK to include seafarers and offshore workers.

The Pensions Regulator bans trustees for failing to discharge their duties – maybe it's time to do the trustee toolkit

The Pensions Regulator's Determinations Panel has banned three people from acting as trustees. The Panel found that the trustees had acted to their own advantage without appreciating or managing the conflicts of interest that arose.

Consultation on mandatory bond requirement for LGPS Admission Agreements

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) is consulting on the Draft Local Government Pension Scheme (Miscellaneous) Regulations 2012 (the 'Miscellaneous Regulations'). 

Workplace pension reform - firing the starting pistol

The Department for Work and Pensions yesterday announced a batch of regulations that make up some of the final pieces in the jigsaw of workplace pension reform.

Solvency II - what does it mean for UK pension schemes?

Solvency II is a European initiative that toughens the capital requirements for insurance companies in a bid to make them more secure and better able to withstand market 'shocks'.

Racing for the finish line - the comprehensive guide to workplace pension reform. Part three - administering the reforms

Employers in the UK will have to cope with major reforms to workplace pensions that will be implemented from October 2012. The reforms will affect all employers, irrespective of their size or type of business.

Workplace Pension Reform and the public sector

While negotiations continue on the public service pension scheme reforms, a separate pension time bomb has been quietly ticking away.

Staging fright - delays to auto-enrolment staging dates and phasing confirmed

Workplace pension reform received some much needed certainty at the beginning of the month when the Pensions Bill received royal assent. We now close November with further uncertainty with the Government's confirmation that two key elements of workplace pension reform will be delayed.

Racing for the finish line – the comprehensive guide to workplace pension reform. Part two - implementing the reforms

Employers in the UK will have to cope with major reforms to workplace pensions that will be implemented from October 2012.

Racing for the finish line - the comprehensive guide to workplace pension reform. Part one - employer duties

Time is running out for employers to get ready for workplace pension reform.

Pensions Act 2011 - it is here, are you ready?

On 3 November 2011, the Pensions Bill received royal assent. Among other provisions, the Pensions Act 2011 makes changes to the Pensions Act 2008 and finalises the primary legislation for workplace pension reform.

2012 workplace pension reforms - a new set of employee rights?

The Government's workplace pension reforms (due to be introduced in 2012) will have an impact on employment law as well as pensions law. The new legislation will prevent employers from encouraging employees to opt-out of the auto-enrolment provisions.

Public sector pensions lead to public and private sectors strikes – can you stop it?

Department for Communities and Local Government consultation on changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme

The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) has launched a consultation into increasing employee contribution rates for the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) to achieve savings of £900 million by 2014-2015.

Proposed civil service cuts survive judicial review

This month's decision in Public and Commercial Services Union and others v The Minister for the Civil Service has established that the "rights" of civil servants to compensation benefits on redundancy from the Civil Service Compensation Scheme were "possessions".

Hutton's recommendations - where next?

Public sector pensions are once again hitting the headlines. Last Friday, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander MP, set out the Government's stall on the future of public service pensions in his speech to the Institute for Public Policy Research.

Hutton's 27

Last Thursday (10 March) the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission led by Lord Hutton of Furness issued its "Final Report" into the future of public service pensions.

Fair deal, no deal or something in between?

Reduced allowances - refinements

On 9 December 2010 the Government published a consultation on its draft Finance Bill 2011.

Who's in the driving seat?

Is defined benefit pension provision hurtling towards more responsible affordability? Who's in the driving seat? Wragge & Co's pensions experts examine the issues.

Compromising pensions disputes

The Court of Appeal judgment in International Management Group (UK) Limited and (1) Peter German and (2) HR Trustees Limited [2010] EWCA Civ 1349 was handed down yesterday (1 December 2010). Wragge & Co's pensions experts consider the judgment in more detail.

Restricting pensions tax relief - the new regime from 6 April 2011

The wait is over. We knew that tax privileged pension saving was going to change and now we know the key features of the reforms.

Public Service Pensions Review - Hutton Report published

Yesterday (7 October 2010), Lord Hutton of Furness published his interim report setting out progress to date in relation to his structural review of public service pensions.

GAD's door has (partially) re-opened

The GAD announced in July it was suspending the issue of bulk transfer terms and broad comparability testing. This was pending resolution of the issues arising from the Government's plans to use the CPI rather than the RPI for the indexation of public service pensions.

From RPI to CPI - Implications for staff transfers from the public to the private sector

The Government Actuary's Department (GAD) has confirmed that it will not issue bulk transfer terms or start new broad comparability testing until the issues arising from the CPI changes have been worked through. This could have practical implications for many public-to-private outsourcing exercises.

The Coalition Government's first Budget - high earners and pensions: an update

Mr Osborne delivered his first budget amid much speculation as to precisely what he would do with regard to various issues in the pensions arena, particularly the restriction of tax relief on pension contributions for "high earners".

High earners and pensions

High earners need to consider carefully their pension arrangements. This is because Mr Darling, when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer under the last administration, paved the way for the introduction of a new charge on pension contributions.

Contrasting approaches

The general election produced a hung Parliament, with the prospect of politicians having to work together despite contrasting policies.

Successful challenge - Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) obtains judgment that changes to the Civil Service Compensation Scheme (CSCS) are unlawful

The PCS (a trade union representing large numbers of civil servants) has successfully challenged the legality of certain changes made to the CSCS. The changes to the CSCS will now be set aside and sent back to the decision makers to be remade in light of the court's findings.

Civil Service Compensation Scheme - changes introduced on 1 April 2010

The Civil Service Compensation Scheme (CSCS) is a statutory scheme that provides compensation to certain civil servants who leave office through compulsory or voluntary redundancy.

Feathering the NEST egg - the final shape of workplace pension reform

Costly changes are coming which will affect employers and pension schemes.

Admitted Body Status - where are we now?

Shortly before the Christmas break, the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) issued updated guidance relating to the operation of the Admitted Body Status (ABS) framework within the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

The LGPS Investment Regulations - out with the old, in with the new

The new LGPS Investment Regulations came into force on 1 January 2010. The Regulations replace a whole raft of existing statutory instruments dating back to 1998 and also introduce several new requirements which warrant attention.

Local Government update

Life never stands still in local government. Read the team's comments on issues, from the ramifications of London Authorities Mutual Limited (LAML) to the new remedies directive, and take note of any action points that will help you and your organisation.

Personal accounts and auto-enrolment - what does this mean for you? (Pensions)

Pension scheme trustees and managers need to be ready for big changes in workplace pension provision, due to arrive in 2012, as reforms a decade in gestation finally come to fruition.

Heyday challenge fails: UK default retirement age is legal .... for now

The High Court decided last Friday that it is lawful for employers to compulsorily retire employees at age 65. However, this may be a pyrrhic victory for the Government.

Unfair dismissal - pensions benefits are not unique says the Court of Appeal

A former employee immediately obtained a new job after being unfairly dismissed. As expected, the Tribunal did not award compensation for future loss of earnings. Unexpectedly, the EAT did agree that ongoing pension loss could nonetheless be considered.

Changes to pensions schemes: potential pitfalls for high earners

Where a company is looking at making a material change to the way in which benefits under its pension scheme are provided after 22 April 2009 or proposing to introduce a new arrangement there could be adverse tax consequences for high earning individuals.

Personal accounts - a pensions revolution

Employee pension enrolment and employer contributions are to be made compulsory as part of the Government's attempt to tackle the UK's looming demographic crisis.

Budget 2009 - restricting tax relief for pension contributions - watch out just who it will catch

The Government has introduced a new measure to restrict tax relief for pension savers earning over £150,000 per year to the basic rate of tax of 20%. This has generated much publicity but just who could this affect?

Long tail for Ombudsman complaints?

The Pensions Ombudsman and his Deputy have recently come to different conclusions on whether they will deal with complaints made after the usual limitation periods applied by the courts have expired.

Unfair dismissal - think twice before dismissing members of a final salary scheme

In a case in February, the Employment Appeal Tribunal confirmed that a tribunal is entitled to differentiate between a final salary pension scheme and a money purchase scheme when awarding compensation to an unfairly dismissed employee.

Ill-health pensions

The new LGPS has now been in place for a little over six months. One of the most debated aspects of the new LGPS has been the operation of the three tier ill-health pension benefit.

Local government update: are we becoming protectionist?

Wragge & Co's public sector experts consider an end to pay protection, protecting construction projects from the credit crunch and protecting personal data.

Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Governance Compliance Statements - deadline of 1 November 2008 looms

By 1 November 2008, those administering authorities who have not already done so must prepare and publish their governance compliance statement.

Staff transfers from the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) - new Government Actuary Department (GAD) note for Broadly Comparable Schemes

GAD have issued a note, dated 6 October 2008, clarifying the definition of minimum pension age in the LGPS.

Staff transfers from the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) - results of the Admitted Body Status consultation

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has now published the results of the consultation commissioned in January 2008 regarding the Admitted Body Status (ABS) provisions in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

Local Government Pension Scheme - Ill-health pensions

On 1 October 2008 the new Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) will have been in place for six months. One of the most debated aspects of the new LGPS has been the operation of the three-tier ill-health pension benefit.

All Change! The new-look LGPS

Despite Communities and Local Government's promises to have regulations a year in advance, the final form administration, benefit and transitional regulations were very late in coming.

LGPS: governance compliance statements - deadline changed to 1 June 2008

LGPS: more consultation on admitted body status