Pensions advisory
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Pensions advisory

Focused on protecting your pensions interests. We advise on the day-to-day management of pension schemes and help trustee boards, parent and subsidiary companies and charitable institutions meet their obligations. 
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Over many years, our large team of experts have helped trustee boards, employers, charities, institutions and public bodies to meet their pensions obligations. Clients include global corporations such as Sherwin-Williams, O-I Group, McGraw-Hill/Standard & Poors, KPMG, GDF Cofely and JLT, and charities such as Barnardo's and the Royal Horticultural Society.

By drawing together a large group of specialists each with a wide range of experience, we are able to develop individual solutions to our clients’ pensions issues. We are based in one location so that we can work together to develop solutions to complex problems.

Whilst we are often involved in cutting-edge pensions law, we are also known for our practical, commercial and plain advice on the day-to-day pension issues. We don’t over-complicate the complicated.

We are experts in setting up, reconstructing and closing down all manner of pension schemes. Our large team is committed to helping you address your current and future pension requirements. Whether you are an employer, trustee or pensions professional, our focus is on protecting your pension interests.

"The quality of advice and level of service we have received … in relation to our pension scheme has been outstanding." – Miles Buckinghamshire, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Barnardo's Pension Scheme.

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"They have excellent knowledge, and a solution-oriented approach."
Chambers UK 2018

Board of the Pension Protection Fund (PPF), change in levy calculation

Advised in relation to a unique and multi-disciplined project changing the calculation of the PPF levy.

Impact of company sale on pension

Advised the trustee of a multi-national healthcare company on the potential debt arising in relation to its pension plan as a result of a sale and the management/reduction of that debt.

Proposed changes to pension scheme benefit structure

Advising on changes to pension scheme which led to discovering an error in the documentation. We are advising on the consequences, and methods for remedying, that error.

Negotiating a funding agreement

Advised on pioneering work in relation to a significant difference of opinion on the interpretation of a key power, resulting in negotiating a separate funding agreement.

Bulk annuity purchase

Advising the Jardine Lloyd Thompson pension scheme trustees on purchasing a series of bulk annuity policies from the Prudential covering approximately £210 million of liabilities in aggregate.

Corporate restructuring

Advised a leading publishing company on a restructuring to deal with its pensions deficit.

Public sector outsourcing

Advise contractors on the pensions aspects of public sector outsourcing contracts.

Asset-backed funding

Advising trustees on entering into asset backed funding structures (including advice to the trustees of TUI Travel Group pension scheme on the use of brands in this context).

Automatic enrolment

Advising employers on the application of automatic enrolment requirements for staff working both in the UK and abroad.

Responsibility for historic pension liabilities

Advised GDF Cofely on complex pensions issues arising from a business purchase, including extracting it from the group-wide pension arrangements.

Lawyer

Philip Goodchild Partner

T:  +44 20 7809 2166
M:  +44 7825 384 004 Email Philip | Vcard Office:  London

Latest news & insights

28 Sep 2023

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Pensions podcasts

The Stephenson Harwood pensions podcasts provide an overview of key legal developments relating to occupational pension scheme and how they impact scheme members, trus..

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22 Jun 2023

From Insights

Pensions snapshot - June 2023

This edition of snapshot looks at the latest legal developments in pensions.

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26 May 2023

From Insights

Pensions snapshot - May 2023

This edition of snapshot looks at the latest legal developments in pensions.

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23 Mar 2023

From Insights

Pensions snapshot - March 2023

This edition of snapshot looks at the latest legal developments in pensions.

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15 Mar 2023

From Insights

What does the Spring Budget 2023 mean for pension savers?

The focus of today's Spring Budget was growth. "Prosperity with purpose", based on 4 pillars of industrial growth.

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13 Feb 2023

From Insights

Transfers out – are trustees at a greater risk than they realise?

In an article published by Professional Pensions, partner Stephen Richards and senior knowledge development lawyer Julia Ward, discuss transfers out, and whether trust..

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10 Jan 2023

From Insights

The Pensions Regulator consults on new funding code

Back in our July briefing we discussed how the Pension Schemes Act 2021 provided for a framework for a new defined benefit funding regime.

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20 Dec 2022

From Insights

Pensions snapshot - December 2022

This edition of snapshot looks at the latest legal developments in pensions.

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14 Nov 2022

From Insights

Pensions snapshot - November 2022

This edition of snapshot looks at the latest legal developments in pensions.

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26 Sep 2022

From Insights

Pension schemes and inflation

In the 12 months to August 2022, RPI has increased by 12.3% and CPI 9.9%. With this recent significant rise in inflation, employers and trustees have been asking what ..

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07 Sep 2022

From Insights

Court declares change of RPI to CPIH lawful

A number of pension funds have challenged the decision of the then-Chancellor and the UKSA to align RPI with CPIH. In this alert we discuss the outcome of that challen..

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22 Aug 2022

From Insights

Pensions snapshot - August 2022

This edition of snapshot looks at the latest legal developments in pensions.

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02 Aug 2022

From Insights

New approach to funding defined benefit pension schemes

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 h..

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20 Jul 2022

From Insights

Pensions snapshot - July 2022

This edition of snapshot looks at the latest legal developments in pensions.

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23 Jun 2022

From Insights

Pensions snapshot - June 2022

This edition of snapshot looks at the latest legal developments in pensions.

More

15 Jun 2022

From Insights

Risk management, reduced recovery plans and mitigation—TPR’s Annual Funding Statement 2022

Writing for LexisNexis, senior knowledge development lawyer Julia Ward examines the key themes in the Pension Regulator's Annual Funding Statement 2022.

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