News

Find out what’s happening at Sackers. Our News section provides information about recent work, press comment and media coverage, and what our people are doing.

Latest News

High Court decision on failure to obtain a s37 confirmation

Introduction On 16 June 2023, in the case Virgin Media v NTL Pension Trustees II Limited (and others), the High Court ruled on the correct interpretation of historic legislation governing the amendment of contracted-out DB schemes. Click...

Surplus: can too much money be a bad thing?

Like many pensions lawyers, I have spent much of my career talking about underfunded defined benefit schemes – section 75 debts, recovery plans, deficit reduction contributions, covenant, contingent assets, PPF entry, journey...

TPR consults on its new DB funding code

Introduction On 16 December, TPR delivered its long anticipated second consultation on a new draft DB funding code. The draft code is designed to form an essential double-act with the DB funding and investment strategy regulations...

Hot topic: Rising inflation – considerations for DB and DC schemes

Cost of living increases have reached levels unprecedented in recent history. CPIH rose by 8.8% in the 12 months to July 2022, the highest annual rate since December 1990. High inflation has wide implications for pension schemes and...

New funding and investment strategy regulations – what do they mean?

The DWP is currently consulting on draft regulations which set out the detail of the requirements introduced under the Pension Schemes Act 2021 for defined benefit schemes to have a funding and investment strategy and submit a written...

Questions scheme website
To consult or not to consult? – that is the question

A question which often arises in the context of corporate transactions is whether there is a need to carry out a consultation under pensions legislation where pension changes are effectively a side-effect of the transaction. To give an...

Project management
Can a scheme’s end-game be to simply run on?

Notwithstanding the current economic climate, an increasing number of schemes seem to be finding themselves with a healthy funding position and the timeframe closing at some speed to being in a position to fully buy-out. This means that...