Blackstone's Guide to the Pensions Act 1995

The Pensions Act 1995 is a complex and unwieldy piece of legislation which has significant implications not only for pensions lawyers, but for trustees, employers, insurance companies and anyone involved in the management and running of pension schemes. It is designed to strengthen and securethe legislative framework relating to occupational pension schemes, to provide for equality of treatment between men and women members, the equalization of pensionable ages under the state pension scheme, and also to give peace of mind to scheme members. This guide is a reference to the Act'sprovisions, and includes an appendix of all the regulation-making powers under the Act. It examines the significant aspects of the Act in a practical way, including: the role of the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority; nature and scope of scheme trustees' duties under the Act; minimum fundingrequirements; dispute resolution and the Pensions Ombudsman; equal treatment provisions; and changes in benefit level.