Pensions on Air

In our Pensions on Air podcast, we delve into all things pensions-related, bringing you the key developments in pensions law and regulation through monthly 15-minute episodes that accompany our Pensions Essentials bulletin.

In this episode, Dan Schaffer is joined by Karen Mumgaard to discuss the Government's updated pensions reform roadmap and what it means for schemes in the years ahead. They take a closer look at the extensive consultation on the new value for money framework, including which schemes and arrangements will be in scope, the data that trustees will need to collect and how the assessment process is expected to work in practice.

In our Pensions on Air podcast, we delve into all things pensions-related, bringing you the key developments in pensions law and regulation through monthly 15-minute episodes that accompany our Pensions Essentials bulletin.

In this episode, Dan Schaffer is joined by Karen Mumgaard to discuss the Government’s latest proposals on the release of surplus from ongoing defined benefit pension schemes, looking at the consultation on the process for surplus refunds, the Pensions Regulator’s early views on how trustees should approach refunds and some hints at how surplus sharing with members via a new form of lump sum might work.

In our Pensions on Air podcast, we delve into all things pensions-related, bringing you the key developments in pensions law and regulation through monthly 15-minute episodes that accompany our Pensions Essentials bulletin.

In this episode, Dan Schaffer is joined by Karen Mumgaard to discuss recent activity from the Pensions Regulator, including its preliminary guidance on the use of AI by pension schemes, key messages from its latest annual funding statement and recent research in relation to DC consolidation and whether scale delivers better outcomes for members.

Dan and Karen also discuss new guidance from the Financial Reporting Council on the Virgin Media remediation provisions, recent HMRC publications on the new inheritance tax regime for pensions, and the interim findings of the government’s Pensions Commission on retirement adequacy.

 

In our Pensions on Air podcast, we delve into all things pensions-related, bringing you the key developments in pensions law and regulation through monthly 15-minute episodes that accompany our Pensions Essentials bulletin.

In this episode, Matt Ward is joined by Karen Mumgaard to discuss key developments following the Pension Schemes Act receiving royal assent, including the timing of key provisions coming into force, the final position on the investment mandation powers and new guidance relating to DC schemes, winding-up and guided retirement.

Matt and Karen also discuss the High Court’s decision in McKavney v Serco on the interpretation of early retirement provisions, a recent Pensions Ombudsman determination on late retirement uplifts, and recent HMRC guidance on the increase to normal minimum pension age from 55 to 57 from April 2028.

In this monthly episode, Partner, Dan Schaffer sits down with Karen Mumgaard, Knowledge Counsel, to discuss the latest key updates in Pensions law.

They unpack the latest developments from the Pensions Schemes Bill, including proposed investment mandation powers for master trusts, new scale requirements for auto‑enrolment schemes and what regulators expect schemes to be doing now. They also discuss the Virgin Media remediation provisions and new trustee guidance, alongside forthcoming inheritance tax changes affecting unused DC funds and certain death benefits from April 2027.

In this monthly episode, Partner, Dan Schaffer sits down with Karen Mumgaard, Knowledge Counsel, to discuss the latest key updates in Pensions law.

They cover the new Data Use and Access Act complaints requirements affecting trustees, the proposed £2,000 cap on salary-sacrifice NIC relief from April 2029, plus an ombudsman determination highlighting trustees’ evidential responsibilities in historic transfer cases.

In this monthly episode, Partner, Dan Schaffer sits down with Karen Mumgaard, Knowledge Counsel, to discuss the latest key updates in Pensions law.

They cover the recent trusteeship consultation, proposed detail around the new value for money framework and targeted support and what it means.

In this monthly episode, Partner, Dan Schaffer sits down with Karen Mumgaard, Knowledge Counsel, to discuss the key updates from our November 2025 Pensions Essentials bulletin.

They cover pensions developments from the Autumn 2025 Budget, new data guidance from the Pensions Regulator, and a High Court ruling on the meaning of “interests” in amendment fetters.

 

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