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

Changing scheme benefits – the all new section 67

From 6 April 2006, employers and trustees contemplating changes to occupational pension schemes will have to contend with a significantly revamped section 67 of the Pensions Act 1995. The source of the new sections 67 through to 67I is the...

New protection for early leavers

From 6 April 2006, members who leave occupatioanl pension schemes with at least three months’ pensionable service, but without having reached the scheme’s threshold for providing accrued (or vested) benefits, will have new...

Age discrimination – the great escape?

Age discrimination laws, due to come into effect in October 2006, came a step closer this month with the publication of long-awaited Regulations. Whilst still in draft at this stage, far from requiring fundamental changes, they include...

Consultation! Consultation!

The obligation on employers to consult employees regarding major pension scheme changes from 6 April 2006 is the focus of the latest consultation to emerge from the DWP. The driver behind the requirements to consult is the EC Directive on...

A-Day ahoy!

With just over nine months to go until A-Day trustees and employers need to ensure that their schemes are shipshape for tax simplification. Although a uniform set of allowances will apply across the board from 6 April 2006, in many...

Pensions Ombudsman orders trustees to disclose legal advice

What should you do when a member requests a copy of legal advice given to trustees? A recent Ombudsman determination on the subject (Cameron v The Trustees of the Digital Equipment Company Pension Plan) indicates that trustees may...

“Whistleblowing” – the duty to report breaches

Viewed by the Pensions Regulator (TPR) as a “vital part of the regulatory framework”, the new “whistleblowing” requirements under the Pensions Act 2004 (PA 2004) came into force on 6 April 2005. The provisions of PA...