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Wolverhampton County CouncilAccess all documents on Defined benefit lump sum death benefit
Summary The Pensions Ombudsman has partially upheld a complaint concerning the distribution of discretionary death benefits. In the absence of a letter of wishes, the Scheme trustee took into account all pertinent matters and carried out suitable enquiries. The trustee’s outcome was not considered perverse or unreasonable. Nevertheless, the complainant was awarded £500 for the notable distress and inconvenience arising from a 12-month delay in the commencement of his spouse’s pension. The Ombudsman’s decision underlines that there is a demanding threshold for disturbing the exercise of a trustee’s discretion... What were the facts? Mr R’s late wife (Mrs R) belonged to both the defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) sections of the Credit Suisse Group (UK) Pension Fund (the Scheme). Shortly before she died, Mrs R received an enhanced transfer quotation exceeding £500,000 in respect of the defined benefits she had accrued under the Scheme...
Original news Mrs S, Royal Mail Defined Contribution Plan (CAS-45582-S0J0) - 12 October 2023. Summary The Pensions Ombudsman dismissed a complaint alleging the Scheme had misapplied its discretion by directing part of a lump-sum death benefit to the deceased member’s girlfriend instead of relatives. The trustee had adopted an appropriate process and correctly applied the governing rules. The outcome could not be considered irrational. This decision serves as a reminder that challenging the exercise of a trustee’s discretionary judgement is rarely straightforward in the majority of cases. What were the facts? Mr S held scheme membership in the Royal Mail Defined Contribution Plan (the Scheme) ...
FORTHCOMING CHANGE relating to IHT on pension death benefits : At the Autumn Budget 2024 on 30 October 2024, the government stated that, from 6 April 2027, unused pension funds and pension death benefits will be brought into an individual’s estate for IHT. The change will affect both defined contribution and defined benefit schemes, and will apply to UK registered schemes as well as qualifying non-UK pension schemes. A technical consultation on implementing these reforms ran from 30 October 2024 to 22 January 2025, and the measures are introduced by the Finance Act 2026. For further information, see News Analysis: Unused pension funds and death benefits to be brought within the scope of inheritance tax and Autumn Budget 2024—Private Client analysis — Inheritance tax. On death, a person will typically own assets forming part of their estate, for example: land investments cash furniture electronic devices Whether a grant of representation is needed depends on the nature and location...
ARCHIVED This archived Practice Note reviews an earlier form of personal pension—the retirement annuity contract—and sets out how it contrasts with today’s personal pension arrangements. For further information on personal pension schemes, see Types of personal pension schemes—overview. Personal pension schemes—central role in private pensions sector Personal pensions, in their different guises, occupy a central place in the UK private pensions landscape today. Launched on 1 July 1988, they provide notable flexibility, being open to: employees (with employers allowed to pay in and obtain the tax relief without a tax charge arising for the employee) the self-employed (and, to a degree, individuals with no earnings) Retirement Annuity Contracts—background and aims However, personal pension schemes were preceded by another type—the Retirement Annuity Contract (RAC). Since the introduction of personal pensions on 1 July 1988, no fresh RACs can be established, but RACs set up before that date may continue and can still accept contributions. RACs were first created by the...
A-day 'A-day' is the widely used term for the broad pension tax 'simplification' reforms that began on 6 April 2006. The changes covered: how much pension contribution was allowed, the kinds of schemes an individual could invest in, the sums that could be taken (and when), and the choices available for any remaining fund. A-day also introduced the annual allowance and the (now abolished) lifetime allowance. See: Annual allowance and Lifetime allowance. AFPS AFPS: Armed forces pension scheme; see Practice Note: Public sector pensions and family proceedings. Accrual rate The speed at which pension benefits build as pensionable service is completed in a final salary scheme, eg 1/60 for each year of pensionable service. Accrued benefits The benefits earned in respect of service up to a specified date. Added years Extra pension provided by adding further years of pensionable service in a salary-related scheme. Such additional years are secured via transfer payments or through additional voluntary contributions/augmentation...
This template has been prepared on the basis that the writer is acting for the buyer, and that the target company (the Company) is a subsidiary of the Seller. It is strongly recommended that a pensions expert is engaged at the earliest opportunity. 1 Definitions For purposes of paragraphs 2 to 9 inclusive, the following apply: Employee means any present or former employee, officer, or director of the Company [ or of any Group Company ] [ and includes any other person participating in the management of the Company’s affairs ] ; Pension Scheme [ s ] mean [ s ] [ [ name(s) of scheme(s) ] OR an arrangement or practice for the payment of, or for contributing towards, an annuity, pension, lump sum, gratuity, or a similar benefit to be provided upon retirement, ill-health, death, or a change in service status, or in compliance with a pension sharing order, in relation to the service or historic service of an Employee or any...
This precedent is produced on the assumption that the drafter acts for the buyer and on the footing that the target company (the Company) is a subsidiary of the Seller. You are strongly encouraged to engage a pensions specialist at the earliest opportunity. 1 Definitions For the purposes of paragraphs 2 to 9 (inclusive): Employee means any current or former employee, officer or director of the Company [ or of any Group Company ] [ and any other person involved in managing the affairs of the Company ]; Pension Scheme[s] means [ [ name(s) of scheme(s) ] OR an arrangement or practice for the payment of, or contribution towards, an annuity, pension, lump sum, gratuity or similar benefit to be provided on retirement, ill-health, death or change in service status, or pursuant to a pension sharing order, in relation to the service or historic service of an Employee or any other person, or for the benefit of that individual’s dependants ]. ...
This precedent is prepared on the assumption that the drafter acts for the seller. It also proceeds on the basis that the target company (the Company) is a subsidiary of the Seller. You are firmly encouraged to bring in a pensions specialist at the earliest opportunity. 1 Definitions For the purposes of paragraphs 2 to 11 (inclusive): Employee means any current or former employee, officer or director of the Company [ or of any Group Company ] [ and any other person participating in the management of the Company’s affairs ] ; Pension Scheme [ s ] mean [ s ] [ [ name(s) of scheme(s) ] OR an arrangement or practice for the payment of, or contribution towards, an annuity, pension, lump sum, gratuity or comparable benefit to be provided on retirement, long-term ill-health or death, or pursuant to a pension sharing order, in relation to the service or historic service of an Employee or any other person, or for the benefit of...