A recent judgment concerning scheme liabilities and the interpretation and operation of a scheme’s forfeiture rules in the context of a benefit correction exercise may impact the scope for trustees to rely on their scheme’s forfeiture rule to limit back payments in the context of GMP equalisation or where back payments are due for other … Read more

2020 was undoubtedly an unprecedented year, dominated of course by the impact of Covid-19 and here in the UK, by the preparations for Brexit. The year may (finally) be over, however, these themes are likely to continue to dominate the agenda in 2021. Nevertheless, with vaccines being rolled out and a Brexit deal agreed, there … Read more

2020 has been a uniquely challenging, unpredictable and eventful year, dominated (as we all know too well) by the impact of Covid-19, which has changed the way we live, work and do business, and also by the preparations for Brexit. Both of these themes will undoubtedly continue to dominate the economic and political agenda in … Read more

Welcome to the latest edition of our quarterly pensions disputes bulletin. In this edition we cover: the 2nd judgment in the Lloyds Bank GMP equalisation litigation and new guidance relating to GMP equalisation key developments in relation to the Pension Schemes Bill the predicted rise in Covid-related complaints to the Pensions Ombudsman recent cases on transfers, insurance, investment, … Read more

Listen to our latest pensions podcast as Samantha Brown and Antonia Pegden, who lead the HSF team that has been advising the Banks in connection with the GMP equalisation litigation, discuss the judgment in the second Lloyds hearing (on the need to equalise historic transfers) and consider: the implications for DB schemes and existing GMP … Read more

The judgment in the 2nd instalment of the GMP equalisation litigation involving Lloyds Banking Group’s defined benefit (DB) pension schemes, has been handed down today (Friday, 20 November 2020). The judgment confirms that trustees of DB schemes that provide Guaranteed Minimum Pensions (GMPs) are required to revisit and, where necessary, top-up historic cash equivalent transfer … Read more

HMRC recently published the second instalment of its guidance on the tax consequences of implementing GMP equalisation. While the guidance provides clarity and offers solutions in some areas, it also identifies some potential problems for schemes, in particular, raising the prospect of trivial commutation lump sums that have previously been paid being treated as unauthorised … Read more