New defined benefit funding regime

Updated draft Regulations published

The Pension Schemes Act 2021 provided for a framework for a new defined benefit funding regime. In particular, the framework would require defined benefit schemes to have a funding and investment strategy for the purpose of ensuring benefits under the scheme can be paid over the long term. The detail of what this would mean in practice was to be set out in regulations.

In response to the consultation it held on the initial set of draft regulations, the government has now published the revised draft Occupational Pension Schemes (Funding and Investment Strategy and Amendment) Regulations 2024. The industry will be pleased to hear that a number of the concerns raised in the consultation responses have been taken on board and reflected in the new regulations.

Insights

Getting Britain moving: A pensions perspective

On 9 July 2024, Stephenson Harwood LLP and AtkinsRéalis are hosting a Top Table Lunch during which Juergen Maier (who is leading a Rail and Urban Transport Review for the Labour party) will be in conversation with Stephenson Harwood partner Tammy Samuel. Following Labour's win at the general election on 4 July 2024, this will be the first opportunity for the rail industry to learn more of its plans..

Lifetime allowance abolition – an update

The UK Lifetime Allowance (LTA) tax charges ceased to apply from 6 April 2023, and the LTA itself was abolished with effect from 6 April 2024. Rather than a simple abolition, the LTA has, however, been replaced by lump sum allowances which continue to limit the amount of tax-free cash that an individual can receive from registered pension schemes and from some overseas schemes that hold UK tax-relieved amounts.

Pensions and the Budget 2024

UK investment and value for money

Pensions briefing – a new defined benefit funding regime

Updated draft Regulations published

Lifetime allowance abolition – an update

The abolition of the Lifetime Allowance (LTA) is being undertaken in two stages. The first was the removal of the LTA tax charges from 6 April 2023. The second will be the abolition of LTA itself from 6 April 2024. Rather than a simple abolition, the LTA is in effect being replaced by lump sum allowances which will still control the level of tax-free cash that an individual can receive from registered pension scheme arrangements. On 4 January 2024, HMRC published an updated newsletter providing further guidance on the how this will work in practice.

Pensions briefing – what to watch in 2024

We are expecting 2024 to be another busy year for developments in the pensions world. The Mansion House reforms and Autumn Statement last year demonstrate that pensions are firmly on the government's agenda.

Should my husband buy an annuity?

Estella Bogira writes for the Financial Times on buying an annuity vs taking drawdown.

RoadChef scheme and Canada Life agree £24 million buy-in

Stephenson Harwood pensions team advise RoadChef Pension Scheme trustees on £24 million insurance bulk annuity contract - Philip Goodchild, Dan Bowman and Julia Cooper have advised the trustees of the RoadChef Pension Scheme in relation to a £24 million bulk annuity contract with Canada Life which secured all the Scheme members' benefits. In particular, the pensions team advised on the benefits to be secured under the contract as provided in the Scheme's current and historic governing documentation.

Changes to the Lifetime Allowance

Background

Following the changes to the Lifetime Allowance ("LTA") regime effective from 6 April of this year, we have some more clarity on how these changes will operate in practice and on the implications for individuals with Enhanced Protection or any of the Fixed Protections. In this briefing we highlight three key points.

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Contact

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