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Pensions: UK-wide - Chambers and Partners, 2026
Employer Advisory
Supporting you with every type of pension provision
Pensions law is consistently evolving, which can make navigating the complexities of occupational pension schemes a challenge. To get the best for your employees, while effectively managing your pensions risk and hitting your business objectives, you're going to need pension advice for employers that's clear, solutions focused and tailored to your specific needs.
Our dedicated team offers a comprehensive range of services to employers covering all aspects of defined benefit (DB), defined contribution (DC) and hybrid provision. With a team of over 50 lawyers, we blend peerless legal understanding with a practical approach, delivering commercially tailored advice. We are recognised for our ability to adapt to any situation or scale, ensuring full confidence as we work together to achieve your pensions objectives.
Proactively managing pensions risk
Pensions shouldn't be a barrier to achieving your corporate goals. We can empower you to proactively manage pensions risk with straightforward guidance on the full range of matters at hand. Whether that's critical areas such as scheme valuations and contribution negotiations, or how to manage scheme surpluses.
We also have extensive experience in advising on changes to benefit provision, including the sensitive area of closure to accrual. This involves not only the legal aspects but also supporting your member consultation and communication exercises and successfully negotiating with unionised workforces where applicable.
How we can help
No matter what pensions options you're considering or managing, our expert team can provide the support and solutions you need.
Scheme funding, investment and surplus
We advise on all elements of scheme funding, investment and surplus. From liability management exercises to funding discussions, the implementation of contingent assets, run-on arrangements, corporate restructurings and the requirements of the DB scheme funding regime introduced in the Pension Schemes Act 2021.
Risk and cost management and end-game planning
Risk transfer transactions
Outsourcing and private-sector participation in public service schemes
Employer duties
Employee benefit packages
Scheme surpluses
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Pensions: West Midlands - The Legal 500, 2026
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Pensions: Non-contentious - The Legal 500, 2026
Client work
M&A deal
M&A deal
We advised an employer client on the pension implications arising from a complex corporate transaction. Our strategic guidance ensured all pension aspects were seamlessly integrated, protecting the client's interests and enabling a smooth transaction.
M&A deal
M&A deal
We advised an employer client on the pension implications arising from a complex corporate transaction. Our strategic guidance ensured all pension aspects were seamlessly integrated, protecting the client's interests and enabling a smooth transaction.
Scheme sponsor restructuring
Scheme sponsor restructuring
Our legal support enabled the disposal of a sponsor by its overseas state-owned parent to a US infrastructure fund. We advised the employer on negotiating significant improvements to the original package and managed interactions with The Pensions Regulator, demonstrating confident adaptability.
Access to trapped surpluses
Access to trapped surpluses
We advised employer clients on strategic options for efficiently accessing "trapped" surpluses. This included implementing solutions such as group company guarantees, escrow accounts, letters of credit, and contingent funding agreements, helping clients proactively manage their pensions risk and achieve corporate objectives.
Resolution of errors in scheme rules
Resolution of errors in scheme rules
We advised an employer in persuading trustees to switch from RPI to CPI increases, avoiding court action. Through a pragmatic approach, we negotiated an agreement for an augmentation to regularise historic RPI-based increases and secured future CPI-based increases, saving millions in unintended liabilities.
