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Lien clause meaning

What does Lien clause mean?
A lien clause is a provision in an occupational pension scheme’s trust deed and rules allowing the trustees (or employer) to withhold or set off a member’s benefits to recover sums the member owes the employer, typically arising from the member’s criminal, fraudulent or negligent acts or omissions. It is a descriptive term (often aligned with “set‑off”, “recoupment” or “forfeiture” clauses), not a statutory definition. In practice, enforcement is tightly constrained. In England & Wales and Scotland, sections 91–94 of the Pensions Act 1995 restrict assignment, charges and set‑off against pension rights. A lien clause will generally only be operable where there is a court judgment/order or the member’s informed consent, and cannot reduce benefits below statutory minima or otherwise override mandatory pensions law. Parallel restrictions apply in Northern Ireland under equivalent pensions legislation. In Ireland, similar inalienability principles apply under Irish pensions legislation, and scheme drafting and enforcement must comply with those statutory limits. Lien clauses are typically used sparingly in misconduct or loss‑recovery cases and attract close scrutiny by the courts, the Pensions Regulator and the Pensions Ombudsman. Careful drafting, evidence of liability, and proportionate application are essential before withholding or offsetting benefits.
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View the related Practice Notes about Lien clause

PRACTICE NOTES
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PRACTICE NOTES
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PRACTICE NOTES
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