United Kingdom: Retirement, Superannuation & Pensions

An expert panel chaired by HHJ Hess examines the Government's proposals for reforming financial remedies, cohabitation, and inheritance law in England and Wales. Leading practitioners and academics discuss the implications of the Fairer End to Relationships consultation, bringing together diverse perspectives on these significant proposed changes to family law. The panel features specialists in pensions on divorce, financial remedies, and trust and estates law, offering insights into how these reforms could

HMRC has released detailed guidance on inheritance tax changes affecting pensions, while TPR updates its dashboards requirements and publishes expectations for AI governance in workplace pension schemes. The Pension Schemes Act 2026 has received Royal Assent, triggering consultations on Value for Money frameworks and scale requirements that will reshape the DC pensions landscape.

This comprehensive pensions update examines critical regulatory developments affecting UK pension schemes, from the anticipated surplus release framework coming in 2027 to emerging AI governance expectations. The bulletin covers major consultations on transfer regulations, VAT recovery changes, and flexible apportionment arrangements, while analyzing recent Ombudsman determinations on forfeiture clauses and overpayment recovery periods.