High Court approves MIPP equalisation compromise

The High Court has approved a compromise of a long-running equalisation issue affecting the Motor Industry Pension Plan in Ross Trustees Services Ltd v Rowe [2026] EWHC 1901 (Ch).

The issue arose from uncertainty as to whether amendments made in 1992 had effectively equalised Normal Retirement Ages at 65. The compromise reflected a 66:34 assessment of the competing arguments and provides for an NRA of 60 for service from 17 May 1990 to 12 May 1992, 61.7 for service from 13 May 1992 to 5 April 1999, and 65 thereafter. Adam Johnson J approved the settlement as striking a fair balance between the competing positions and providing certainty as to the future administration of the Plan. The judgment contains a useful, although largely orthodox, application of the principles governing court approval of compromises in pensions proceedings.

The judgment can be found here.