Pensions support for Charities and the Third Sector

Wrigleys’ Pensions Team advise many charities and third sector employers on their pension obligations. Working alongside colleagues in our Charities and Social Economy Team, we are able to provide a seamless service to clients on a wide range of matters, including:

incorporation
reorganisation and merger
the tendering / retendering of contracts and the TUPE transfer of employees

Where a charity participates in a defined benefit occupational pension scheme or a public sector scheme, these transactions carry the risk of triggering significant pension debts. We can help you to manage these risks so please get in touch if you would like to find out more about the services we offer.

Students’ Unions (SU)

We have many SU clients and are experts at advising on the pensions aspects of incorporation, including the transfer of pension liabilities under the Students’ Union Superannuation Scheme and the Universities Superannuation Scheme. On incorporation, the unincorporated SU is replaced as an employer in the pension scheme by the incorporated SU and there is typically a transfer of pension liabilities between the two employers. The transfer must follow a recognised statutory process, requiring the agreement and cooperation of the relevant pension scheme. We can guide you through this process.

Recent experience

advising students unions on the transfer of pension liabilities under the Students Union Superannuation Scheme as part of an incorporation process.
advising an Oxbridge college on the transfer of pension liabilities under three defined benefit pension schemes, including the Universities Superannuation Scheme, as part of an incorporation process.
advising a charity on the outsourcing of services from the local council, including the transfer of staff from the public sector, the charity’s admission to participate in the Local Government Pension Scheme, and the allocation of funding risk through the use of a passthrough agreement.

'Pragmatic and friendly with good advice.'

The Legal 500 (2025)

'Their advice is always helpful, prompt, accurate and comprehensive.'

Chambers and Partners (2025)