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Pension providers and pension investors

We provide expert legal advice to pension providers and investors, guiding them through the complex legal and regulatory landscape of establishing and managing pension products, platforms and investment funds.

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The pensions landscape is complex, driven by the evolving political landscape, advances in technology and increasing regulation.

At Burges Salmon, we understand the complexities and challenges faced by pension providers and investors.

Our UK-wide strength in depth across all areas of pensions and lifetime savings, means that we can offer tailored legal solutions designed to meet the specific needs of financial services organisations and pension investors. 

We work with pension providers and operators (SIPP and SSAS), local government pension scheme (LGPS) funds and pools, master trusts and insurance companies. 

We advise clients on product and fund development, regulatory compliance and commercialisation. We also advise on and assist with disputes, ombudsman complaints (Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) and Pension Ombudsman (PO)) and investigations. Our team brings together experts from across our pensions advisory, financial regulation, disputes, procurement, tax and fintech teams.

With such wide-reaching expertise, we are able to respond quickly to changes within the sector and pass the benefit of our collective experience to our clients. A number of the team have worked in-house in the industry or for regulators and government, bringing valuable first-hand industry experience to our practice and adding insight to our advice.

We are known for our pragmatic, flexible and client-centric approach.

Services

Pension fund investment

Advice on investment products, funds, structures and TCFD and ESG compliance.

Financial services corporate activity

Support on all pensions-related aspects, including business transfers, financial restructuring, outsourcing, mergers and acquisitions.

Public sector pensions investors

Expert guidance for central government departments, government agencies, local government pensions, and local government pension scheme asset pools.

Regulatory and disputes pensions advice

Working with providers and regulators in cases involving regulatory investigation and compensation.

FCA regulatory and tax services

SIPP development, FCA authorisation support, and pensions taxation advice. Ongoing FCA Handbook compliance advice across consumer duty, conduct of business, CASS, SMCR, and prudential requirements.

Pensions innovation, technology and data

Partnering with our specialist fintech team to advise pension operators and platform providers on digitisation and technology projects to improve operational efficiency and customer experience, and specialist data and cybersecurity advice.

De-risking and insurance solutions

Working with insurers on their policy terms and partnering with Willis Towers Watson on a streamlined buy-in proposition to expedite contracts with insurers for greater value.

Examples of our work

Wales Pension Partnership, Border to Coast Pensions Partnership and LGPS Central

Advising local government pension scheme (LGPS) pools on their establishment, governance structures, new investment structures and funds, direct investments, and all aspects of their arrangements including tax and procurement support.

UK insurer

Advised on a high-value bulk annuity purchase contract exceeding £600 million. Working with fund managers on their own exposures to defined benefit liabilities.

Leading SIPP platform

We assist with authorisation, compliance and member communications and advise on a large portfolio of Ombudsman referrals deriving from recent developments in case law by applying our in-depth knowledge of the market and broad FCA and TPR experience.

National Master Trust provider

Assisted with a substantial TPR investigation. We assisted the provider throughout the process including our team working extensively on site to prepare a fully reply to TPR and to carry out an assurance audit.

Wealth provider

Providing a suite of template SSAS documentation. Using our post-April 2024 precedents as a base, we developed and incorporated the client’s own requirements. We also provided pragmatic advice on managing issues that had arisen in the practice with the last documentation.

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Our team

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Tools

To enhance our clients' understanding and navigate the pension industry's complexities, we've developed a range of interactive guides: 

General Code Checklist for small schemes

Our General Code Checklist supports governing bodies of pension schemes with navigating and understanding their obligations under the Pensions Regulator’s General Code of Practice (applicable to SSAS).

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The Pensions Schemes Act Triage Tool

Aiding employers and trustees in managing the Pensions Regulator’s new powers introduced by the Pension Schemes Act 2021. 

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The Pension Schemes ESG Tool

Our tool demystifies ESG requirements for trustees and sponsoring employers, streamlining their integration into pension planning.

Learn more
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What others say

“Great technical expertise combined with commercial awareness and dedication to finding the best outcome for their client.”

Legal 500 UK 2024

“Very clear advice and a compressive knowledge of pension law.”

Legal 500 UK 2024

“All round excellent pensions team. Up there with the best in the UK. Great experience and depth of quality.”

Legal 500 UK 2024

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Insights

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