Occupational Pension Schemes
Employers are well aware of the increasing relevance and enormous potential of occupational pension schemes. We are one of the strongest lawyer teams on the market with six partners and counsels specialising on this interdisciplinary complex subject. We advise on the introduction and updating of pension schemes over all methods of their establishment and draft pension rules and payment plans (with the involvement of external pension providers as the case may be), works agreements and collective old-age support agreements as well as individual pension commitments and salary conversion agreements. In the course of the dissolution and new organisation, unification or closure of existing pension schemes, we work out possible structures, support the negotiations with the collective bodies and act in the implementation. Our advice also extends to the transfer, outsourcing and funding of pension obligations (e.g. CTA, pension funds, pensioner company). We analyse risks in existing pension schemes and develop solutions to limit risks in connection with corporate transactions and in the course of risk management. We also provide support on the application and interpretation of pension rules and the review of occupational pension schemes for benefits’ adjustment. In case of dispute, we provide representation before the Labour Courts and Civil Courts on all questions arising from occupational pension schemes. We belong to the German Association for Occupational Pensions (aba – Arbeitsgemeinschaft Betriebliche Altersversorgung) and the International Pension & Employee Benefits Lawyers Association (IPEBLA) and we are active there on committees and in working groups.