Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act 2025: Key Pensions Considerations
We highlight some key pension-related considerations for employers and pension scheme trustees.
Ian advises employers and pension scheme trustees on all areas of pension law and has extensive experience in advising on issues related to pension scheme funding, investment and restructuring.
Significant recent experience includes:
- Advised the trustees of the John Player Ireland and Imperial Tobacco Mullingar pension schemes on two significant bulk annuity buy-out transactions.
- Advised Aviva’s Irish staff pension funds providing legal support on all issues relating to the operation of its defined benefit and defined contribution pension funds.
- We advised the Aon Ireland MasterTrustee DAC on various contractual and operational issues related to its trusteeship of the Aon Ireland MasterTrust, one of the largest master trusts in the Irish market.
- Advised the Guinness Ireland Group Pension Scheme, one of the largest pension funds in the State, and provide advice on governance, funding and investment matters and all aspects of regulatory compliance.
- Advised DCC plc, a leading international sales, marketing, and support services group, on pension aspects of its proposed sale of its healthcare division to HealthCo Investment Limited.
- We advised Trustee Principles Limited on various issues related to the trusteeship of its portfolio of DB pension schemes, including supporting with trustee-sponsor engagement on various forms of scheme restructuring and wind ups.
- We advised LifeSight Ireland Trustee DAC on various regulatory issues related to its trusteeship of the LifeSight Ireland master trust
Ian is a former Chairman of the Association of Pension Lawyers in Ireland. He is currently a member of the DC Sub-Committee of the Irish Association of Pension Funds and he has spoken at a variety of forums on topical pension issues.
2026 Legal 500 EMEA
"We have used Ian Devlin and his team in the Pensions Practice for a number of Pension Scheme wind ups and have found his advice to be pragmatic, technically excellent and timely." "The pensions team at William Fry is led by Ian Devlin who is very accessible and responsive. Ian is supported by a well resourced and effective team who have a depth and variety of knowledge in the pensions field in Ireland."
2026 Chambers Europe
"Ian has strong experience and brings a considered viewpoint to his advice."
2025 Legal 500 EMEA
"He was very personable and knowledgeable and explained the complexities of the pension laws and processes clearly to allow us to deliver a good outcome for our company. He was available as required and proactive in responding to queries." "Practical, plain speaking with the ability to translate complex matters in to easily understood terms. Very responsive."
2025 Chambers Europe
"Ian is very easy to deal with, knowledgeable and communicates effectively, providing information in a clear, timely and concise manner."
Practice Areas
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