Pensions

Boasting a growing team that represents some of the largest pension schemes in the market, Stephenson Harwood‘s pensions team supports clients around the world on all aspects of pensions advisory matters, including pensions tax advice for high net worth individuals, trustee advice, sponsoring employer legal support, and advice to master trusts and other pensions institutions.

Practice head Stephen Richards is an expert in big schemes, advising employers, trustees, and master trusts on innovative projects as well as day-to-day matters. Our other stand-out practitioners include pensions advisory partner Philip Goodchild, a specialist in trustee and employer pensions advice, and Estella Bogira, an occupational pensions expert who advises on the cross-over between pensions, pensions tax and private client.

Our clients include global corporations like O-I Group, KPMG, and Arriva; major pension schemes such as the Mercer DB Master Trust, the Santander UK Group Pension Scheme and the FirstGroup Pension Scheme; charities such as Barnardo's, and the Royal Horticultural Society, and many high net worth individuals, reflecting our diverse expertise.

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The quality of advice is excellent. They always understand what we need.’

Chambers UK 2025

We provide practical and commercial advice on both cutting-edge pensions law and everyday issues. Our expert team collaborates seamlessly across our full-service law firm to develop individual solutions to complex pension challenges including pensions issues in data protection, cyber-security, employment law, corporate matters and banking arrangements.

Clients choose us for our ability to provide clear, straightforward advice without over-complicating matters, and our ability to provide solutions to the biggest and most challenging issues in pensions.

Our Services

We are one of the larger pension teams in the City.

We provide market-leading expertise in a clear, practical and solutions-focused way. Accompanying our advisory expertise is our award winning pensions disputes team which provide advice on contentious matters.

We are used by a number of the major players in the pensions industry including professional trustees, major consultancies and master trusts.

We advise sponsors on all aspects of pensions law including funding, pensions regulatory interventions, legal issues arising from IAS19 and IFRIC 14, mergers and acquisitions, auto-enrolment, trust deed and rules re-writes, buy-ins, buy-outs and winding-ups. Sponsor clients include Arriva, BNP Paribas and KPMG.

We advise trustees of pension schemes of all sizes and in multiple jurisdictions. We advise on all aspects of law affecting pension scheme trustees from pensions regulatory issues to investments, data protection and tax. We support some of the most well-known pension schemes in the market including the Mercer DB Master Trust, the Santander UK Group Pension Scheme and the FirstGroup Pension Scheme.

We also have a thriving international practice supporting on QROPS, QNUPS and RNUKS and a unique expertise in non-registered pension arrangements such as FRBS and EFRBS.

We advise DB and DC master trusts on all aspects of law including authorisation and supervision, day to day advice, and strategic legal support. We were nominated for the FT Legal Innovation Awards in respect of our support for master trusts and gave the APL’s definitive talk on transferring to a master trust.

We are used by a number of major players in the pensions industry for advice on their pensions matters including professional trustee companies, three of the largest pensions consultancies, and various administrators.

Estella Bogira leads our team advising high net worth individuals and on international pensions matters. Estella’s market-leading pensions tax expertise means she is uniquely placed to advise individuals based around the world on any aspect of their UK or offshore pension arrangements including transfers to and from the UK, the UK taxation of pension arrangements and pensions in estate planning.

International Support

Hong Kong

Showcasing how our London and Hong Kong practices work seamlessly together, offering combined expertise in both private wealth and pensions to deliver tailored, cross-border solutions that evolve with your needs.

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Awards and Recognition

The Legal 500 2026

"They work well together, very solid on the law but also with an eye to value and innovation."

Chambers UK 2026

"As a business, we are delighted with the level of responsiveness and service. Their advice is well-presented, clear, and always provided on time."

Chambers UK 2025

"I just find Stephenson Harwood brilliant because they are very responsive, pragmatic and technically very good."

The Legal 500 UK 2025

"My experience of working with Stephenson Harwood (SH) is extremely positive. They have provided high quality advice across every area of work that we have asked them about - drawing on specialist expertise from across SH as required."

The Legal 500 UK 2025

"The team at Stephenson Harwood is knowledgeable, pragmatic and engaging. They put themselves in the client's position and explain things without the use of excessive jargon. They don't sit on the fence and provide guidance and advice to ensure robust decisions are made."

The Legal 500 UK 2025

"Stephen Richards has worked very hard to provide a robust service to our mutual clients and does everything with a smile, which makes him super to work with. Naeem Noor supports and deputies for Stephen and is an extremely safe pair of hands."