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Latest news and analysis
Auto-enrolment reforms could introduce unwelcome complexity, study finds
Introducing flexible approaches to auto-enrolment contributions risks introducing complexities and would not be popular among savers or employers, according to a major study led by Pensions UK.
Health improvements could affect DB liabilities, trustees advised
Most DB trustees are yet to factor in how breakthrough health treatments could affect liabilities, despite their potential to reshape future mortality trends, according to Standard Life.
A blueprint for megafunds: How consolidation will shape the future of DC pensions
The drive towards “fewer, larger pension schemes” being driven by the Pension Schemes Act could boost individual pension pots by up to 20% if executed well, according to new research by WPI Economics and Standard Life.
Labour ‘committed’ to pension reforms despite leadership uncertainty, says Bell
Implementation of the Pension Schemes Act and related reforms will not be affected by debates over the future leadership of the Labour Party, according to the pensions minister.
Private investor group supports DB scheme with capital injection
A defined benefit pension scheme has agreed a rare “capital-backed investment” transaction with a private investment firm to secure an injection of capital to improve its funding position.
Trustees under pressure to use surplus powers despite conflict concerns
With new surplus release flexibilities coming into force through the Pension Schemes Act, a survey of defined benefit pension scheme trustees has found a growing appetite for run-on but concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Fee pressure hitting private markets managers as competition heightens
The cost of investing in private markets may be falling amid intense competition for funding and recent performance difficulties, according to new research.
Why traditional investment approaches won’t work for collective DC
LCP says collective DC schemes must move beyond traditional portfolio metrics and design investment strategies around member outcomes over time.
Latest podcast
Always A Pensions Angle: SpaceX, Surpluses, and the Senior LGPS Officer
With SpaceX launching onto public markets with a $2trn-plus valuation, podcast co-hosts Tom Parker and Nick Reeve don their pension-themed spacesuits to explore some of the more pressing issues it raises.
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Comment
Railpen: What does a member-first approach really mean?
Nic Cromack, chief officer for member services at Railpen, explains how the pension scheme has overhauled its approach and continues to innovate to support members.
DCIF: The Pensions Commission must have the courage of its convictions
Lindsay Nickerson, chair of the DC Investment Forum, argues that investment-related sections of the Pensions Commission’s interim report may go against some of its other aims and objectives.
Better admin is the key to improving retirement outcomes
Rory Murphy, former chair of the Merchant Navy Officers’ Pension Fund, calls for urgent action to raise administration standards and stop members from being negatively impacted by poor practices.
From sewage to solvency: Lessons on covenant from a challenged water sector
Vidett’s Mike Birch analyses developments in the water sector and what they mean for trustees of schemes attached to water companies, with regulatory and political shifts potentially affecting covenant strength.
Latest features
How mega-IPOs could reshape equity portfolios as SpaceX secures record listing
Elon Musk’s technology giant SpaceX has debuted on US investment markets with one of the largest initial public offerings in history. But what does it mean for UK pension investors?
In Depth: Surplus release could be limited by governance needs, industry says
Guardrails included in the government’s surplus release proposals may limit the scope and frequency of payments, according to several consultants.
Always A Pensions Angle: The World Cup of Pensions
With the FIFA World Cup kicking off in North America, Pensions Expert has joined forces with LAPF Investments through the Always A Pensions Angle podcast to find out which of the countries represented in the tournament can boast the ultimate retirement system.
Special report: Why the big deal about small bulk annuity transactions?
Smaller pension schemes have traditionally struggled to access the insurance market, but significant changes have made bulk annuity transfers more compelling, as Bradley Gerrard reports.
In Depth: What TPR’s Annual Funding Statement tells us about endgame planning
Pensions Expert explores the latest Annual Funding Statement and gauges the industry reaction as attention turns to surplus release regulations, ahead of new rules expected next year.
How mega-IPOs could reshape equity portfolios as SpaceX secures record listing
In Depth: Surplus release could be limited by governance needs, industry says
Always A Pensions Angle: The World Cup of Pensions
Special report: Why the big deal about small bulk annuity transactions?
In Depth: What TPR’s Annual Funding Statement tells us about endgame planning
Latest on Defined Benefit
Health improvements could affect DB liabilities, trustees advised
Most DB trustees are yet to factor in how breakthrough health treatments could affect liabilities, despite their potential to reshape future mortality trends, according to Standard Life.
Private investor group supports DB scheme with capital injection
A defined benefit pension scheme has agreed a rare “capital-backed investment” transaction with a private investment firm to secure an injection of capital to improve its funding position.
Trustees under pressure to use surplus powers despite conflict concerns
With new surplus release flexibilities coming into force through the Pension Schemes Act, a survey of defined benefit pension scheme trustees has found a growing appetite for run-on but concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Trustees urged to embrace accreditation and ‘continuous learning’
Panellists at the PMI’s annual conference in London argued that trustee capability must evolve beyond technical knowledge to include stronger decision-making, leadership and behavioural skills.
People news
Appointments: Aptia, AMNT, TPR, Sackers, Hymans, Nomura
The latest hires, promotions and appointments for the week ending 19 June 2026.
Chris Hitchen among trio of appointments to TPR board
Former Financial Conduct Authority director Tracey McDermott and TPR’s executive director of market oversight Ben Gunnee are also joining the regulator’s board.
Appointments: Isio’s new boss, plus new faces at Ely Place, Cartwright, L&G
The latest hires, promotions and appointments for the week ending 12 June 2026.
First trustee ‘apprentices’ complete PMI accelerator programme
A quartet of trainee trustees have joined the board and sub-committees of the Standard Life Master Trust after completing the Pensions Management Institute’s Trustee Accelerator Programme.
Latest videos from Pensions Expert
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Latest on Defined Contribution
Auto-enrolment reforms could introduce unwelcome complexity, study finds
Introducing flexible approaches to auto-enrolment contributions risks introducing complexities and would not be popular among savers or employers, according to a major study led by Pensions UK.
A blueprint for megafunds: How consolidation will shape the future of DC pensions
The drive towards “fewer, larger pension schemes” being driven by the Pension Schemes Act could boost individual pension pots by up to 20% if executed well, according to new research by WPI Economics and Standard Life.
Annuity demand on the rise among over-75s, research shows
Inheritance tax changes and higher interest rates are encouraging more people to annuitise later in life, according to research by Standard Life.
Trustees urged to embrace accreditation and ‘continuous learning’
Panellists at the PMI’s annual conference in London argued that trustee capability must evolve beyond technical knowledge to include stronger decision-making, leadership and behavioural skills.
Latest on Dashboards
Always A Pensions Angle: Fit for the Future, Dashboards, and Retirement Living Standards
This week sees the podcast team looking at the LGPS, which has a little more time to get Fit for the Future as some important deadlines have been extended. There are also updates on dashboards, AI, and Retirement Living Standards.
Major master trusts collaborate to cut pension transfer times
Providers including Nest, the People’s Pension, Smart Pension, and Now Pension have established Pathfinder, a working group that will explore “practical ways to improve pension transfers”.
Dashboards update: Connection coverage reaches 85% as final deadlines approach
The Money and Pensions Service expects the MoneyHelper dashboard to become available to the general public during the 2027-28 financial year.
Dashboards: Public awareness needs significant work, research finds
Around 80% of adults surveyed by KPMG were not aware of the prospective introduction of pension dashboards. The research also found concerns about data security among potential users.
