Casebook of Irish Financial Services Law: Pensions

Aside from their home, a person’s pension is probably their greatest asset. Many of us may accumulate different pension assets through our working life including entitlements to a state pension, various occupational pensions and private pensions, resulting in a collection of entitlements all generating different income sources. In recent times there have been significant changes to pension provisions, starting with the decline of the defined benefit scheme, which saw the replacement of guaranteed levels of income by defined contribution schemes, subject to investment growth and market forces. Increased longevity has created significant funding deficits for occupational pensions and puts pressure on the state pension provision and prompted an increase in the statutory retirement age. Underlying each of our pensions is a complex web of legal relations in trust and contract and entitlements.

This book Casebook of Irish Financial Services Law: Pensions is the first in Ireland to provide a comprehensive review of pension disputes heard by the Irish courts, ranging from significant decisions on entitlements to the state pension, pension scheme failures, bankruptcy, constitutional rights, contract and trust law analysis to tax and divorce. It is a must read for lawyers, student, advisors, trustees, service providers and policy makers.