Powered by Lexis+®
Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
CASE STUDY

“LexisPSL and the other Lexis solutions support our business in exactly the way we want. They enable us to quickly turn around work and deliver the best possible service to our clients.”

SBP Law

Access all documents on Market Value Reduction

Market Value Reduction meaning

What does Market Value Reduction mean?
A market value reduction (MVR), also called a market value adjustment (MVA), is a downward adjustment an insurer may apply to the cash value of a with‑profits life or pension policy when benefits are taken at a non‑guaranteed time (for example, on early surrender, transfer or certain partial withdrawals), and in some products if encashed outside a guaranteed maturity window. It aligns the payout with the policy’s fair share of the with‑profits fund by reflecting current asset values and market conditions, and preserves fairness between continuing and exiting policyholders. This is an industry term rather than a definition found in legislation or case law. Its availability, triggers and calculation are set by the contract and the insurer’s Principles and Practices of Financial Management (PPFM), and are subject to regulatory oversight (UK: FCA COBS 20 and with‑profits governance; Ireland: Central Bank of Ireland requirements). Application is discretionary within those frameworks, may reduce or remove terminal bonus, and typically does not affect guaranteed benefits at specified guarantee points (e.g., death or contractual maturity) unless expressly permitted. Usage and legal effect are broadly consistent across England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland. Practical issues commonly arise around surrender values, transfers and complaints.
Speed up all aspects of your legal work with tools that help you to work faster and smarter. Win cases, close deals and grow your business–all whilst saving time and reducing risk.

View the related News about Market Value Reduction

NEWS
REMA 2024 Consultation: Great Britain Electricity Market Reform—CfD Redesign, Optimised Capacity Market, Zonal Pricing and Flexibility to Deliver a Decarbonised, Secure System by 2035

The Case for Change The First REMA Consultation articulated why reform is needed and flagged the principal hurdles the future power system will face as it moves towards a renewables‑led mix. Those hurdles comprise: securing higher levels of investment, boosting system flexibility, sending clearer locational signals, preserving operability, and controlling price volatility. DESNZ determined that current market arrangements cannot realise its aims for a cost‑effective, decarbonised and secure electricity system by 2035, nor adequately deliver the government’s 2050 net zero ambitions. Following the First REMA Consultation, DESNZ produced an Options Assessment, setting out the REMA policy development pathway used to shortlist policy choices. At present, the options prioritise maintaining a unified wholesale market, catalysing additional investment in renewable generation, improving the capacity market framework, and bringing in zonal pricing. DESNZ’s challenge‑led method seeks to substantially narrow the remaining reform choices for electricity markets, while accepting that the subsequent stage must develop a whole‑system solution that coherently integrates investment, flexibility, locational signals, operability and pricing across the system architecture...

Read More Right Arrow
NEWS
UK and EU financial services weekly: regulatory reforms, enforcement and sanctions, prudential and capital markets, derivatives, insurance, crypto and ESG — 24 July 2025

In this issue: UK, EU and international regulators and bodies Authorisation, approval and supervision Prudential requirements Operational resilience Financial crime and sanctions Complaints, compensation and claims management Investigations, enforcement and discipline Regulation of capital markets Dispute resolution for financial services lawyers Regulation of derivatives Sustainable finance and ESG Banks and mutuals Investment funds and asset management UK MiFID II Consumer credit, mortgage and home finance Regulation of insurance Payment services and systems Fintech and cryptoassets LexTalk®Financial Services: a Lexis®Nexis community Financial Services Enforcement Database Daily and weekly news alerts Intraday news alerts Updated content Dates for your diary UK, EU and international regulators and bodies FCA seeks expressions of interest from UK and Swiss firms under the Berne Financial Services Agreement. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is inviting firms in the UK and Switzerland to register interest in delivering cross-border...

Read More Right Arrow
NEWS
EU law—weekly cross-practice update: Parliament hearings, infringement actions, GDPR guidance, CJEU rulings, financial services reforms and trade measures (week of 10 October 2024)

In this issue: EU fundamentals Commercial Competition and state aid Corporate Data protection and cybersecurity Free movement, immigration and employment Financial services Environment Insurance and reinsurance IP Life sciences TMT International trade Daily and weekly news alerts Trackers New and updated content EU fundamentals European Parliament to quiz new European Commission nominees from 4–12 November 2024 MLex: The European Parliament has confirmed that, from 4 to 12 November 2024, lawmakers will grill nominees for the European Commission’s top posts for the coming five years. An initial vetting will verify Commissioner-designates have no conflicts of interest, before committee hearings determine whether candidates are suitable for the role. The new Commission requires the Parliament’s endorsement to commence its mandate, and some contenders could be pressed to step down during the proceedings. See News Analysis: European Parliament to quiz new European Commission nominees from 4–12 November 2024. European Commission...

Read More Right Arrow

View the related Practice Notes about Market Value Reduction

PRACTICE NOTES
Chargeable gains treatment of UK share capital reorganisations and reductions: rights/bonus issues, QCBs, consideration and SSE

Reorganisation for tax purposes This Practice Note explains the meaning of a reorganisation for tax purposes, and outlines how shareholders are taxed when a company undertakes one. A reshaping of a company’s share capital ought to be tax neutral for its investors. For tax, it is treated as involving neither a disposal of existing shares nor an acquisition of replacement shares. A shareholder’s stake in the company before and after the reorganisation is regarded as the same asset for chargeable gains purposes. For tax purposes, a reorganisation is defined expressly by statute. A range of transactions (including bonus issues and rights issues) can fall within that statutory concept. By contrast, some other arrangements (for example, scrip dividends and vendor placings) do not satisfy the conditions to qualify as a tax-neutral reorganisation. Where such steps result in existing shareholders making, or being deemed to make, a disposal, the usual chargeable gains tax rules apply. The fundamental definition of a reorganisation of share capital concerns a single company...

Read More Right Arrow
PRACTICE NOTES
Private Client Glossary (England and Wales): Wills, Probate, Trusts, Capacity and UK Taxation

Private Client England & Wales glossary A Abatement When, after settling the deceased’s funeral costs, debts and liabilities, the remaining estate cannot satisfy all legacies in full, the gifts are reduced accordingly, unless the Will shows a different intention. In a solvent estate, the order for reduction appears in Part II of Schedule 1 to the Administration of Estates Act 1925. Refer to Practice Note: Payment of legacies. Accruals basis Where income is taxed on an accruals basis, it is attributed to a given tax year by reference to the number of days within that year during which the activity giving rise to the liability accrued. See Practice Note: What is the basis of income tax?. Accumulation and maintenance (A&M) trust A form of non‑interest in possession trust designed to benefit children and young people up to 25, which received favourable inheritance tax treatment between 1975 and 2006. See Practice Note: Accumulation and maintenance trusts—IHT [Archived]. Accredited Legal Representative (ALR) ...

Read More Right Arrow
PRACTICE NOTES
Employment-related restricted securities under ITEPA 2003: UK tax on acquisition and chargeable events, joint elections (ss 425, 430, 431), PAYE/NICs, exclusions and HMRC guidance

Restricted securities The provisions governing directors and employees in relation to restricted securities, as set out in Chapter 2, Part 7 of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (ITEPA 2003), are frequently seen in practice on management-involved corporate transactions. Put simply, restricted securities are employment-related securities which: at the time of acquisition are subject to identifiable restrictions that depress the value of the securities For the meaning of employment-related securities, see Practice Note: What is an employment-related security? For a fuller explanation of the definitions of restricted securities and restricted interests in securities, see Practice Note: What are restricted securities? Restrictions are commonly intended to encourage an employee or director to remain with the employer and to meet specified performance conditions. They may affect an employee’s ability to keep shares (for example, the articles of association may require a transfer to 'permitted transferees' if certain events, such as resignation, occur), or limit the normal rights attached...

Read More Right Arrow