Benjamin Mercer
Benjamin wrote for Pensions Expert for more than two years as a reporter and later senior reporter (2020-2022).
NewsBoE acted to prevent a gilt market ‘fire sale’, MPs told
The Bank of England had no choice but to intervene in the gilt markets, having received signals from pension funds that a “fire sale” may occur, BoE deputy governor for financial stability Sir Jon Cunliffe has told MPs.
NewsTruss commits to pensions triple lock as inflation hits 10.1%
Prime minister Liz Truss has confirmed that the triple lock will be maintained, even as September’s figures showed inflation rising to 10.1 per cent.
NewsKwarteng out as LDI derivative losses set to hit £149bn
Market moves: Liz Truss sacks Kwasi Kwarteng, with Jeremy Hunt installed as chancellor; JPMorgan estimates market-to-market losses from liability-driven investment derivatives could hit $167bn (£149bn); and schemes rush to prepare as the Bank of England ends its bond-buying programme.
NewsClara-Pensions expects consolidator competition ‘within a year’
On the go: The commercial consolidator Clara-Pensions expects to see other offerings providing competition in the market “in a year’s time”, according to chief executive Simon True, despite the “unhelpful economic environment”.
News‘Let’s rethink all’ member options before dashboards introduction
Legislative and policy assumptions about member behaviour as they approach retirement are completely out of sync with reality, and now is the time to “rethink all of it” before dashboards are introduced, according to Philip Brown, group director of policy and external affairs at B&CE, provider of The People’s Pension.
NewsSmart Pension acquires Ensign Master Trust
On the go: Smart Pension has acquired the Ensign Master Trust, making it the eighth such consolidation by the provider, which has promised that an average 25-year-old member would be “thousands of pounds better off” as a result of the move.
NewsBurghart announced as minister for pensions and growth
On the go: Alex Burghart MP has been confirmed as minister for pensions and growth at the Department for Work and Pensions
NewsSmall pots problem is ‘only going to get worse’
The number of small pension pots — and the costs of administering them — will continue to increase, despite efforts from the government and industry, a Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association panel has warned.
NewsRetirement risks make UK drop to 10th in global pensions index
The UK slipped from ninth to 10th in Mercer’s latest retirement income survey, as the long-term shift from defined benefit to defined contribution leaves members facing greater retirement risks.
NewsUniversity employers stick to USS cuts despite strike threat
Universities Superannuation Scheme employers have rebuffed renewed calls by the University and College Union to restore benefit cuts in response to the scheme’s controversial 2020 valuation, arguing there is “no solid evidence” to make benefit changes before the 2023 valuation.
NewsFRC publishes ‘consistent and reliable’ standards for dashboards
On the go: The Financial Reporting Council has confirmed the changes being made to Actuarial Standard Technical Memorandum 1 in preparation for the launch of the dashboards, striving for “consistent and reliable” pensions illustrations.
NewsGovernment’s new illiquid rules to apply to all DC schemes
The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed it will push ahead with a requirement that trustees must include a policy on illiquid investments in their defined contribution schemes’ chair’s statement, despite stern criticism from the industry.
PodcastsPodcast: TPR should not regulate LDI despite pensions crisis
Dalriada Trustees director David Fogarty and Cartwright director of investment consulting Sam Roberts discuss the causes to the recent market turmoil that precipitated the intervention by the Bank of England, what was done to stall it, and what the future holds.
NewsCould gilt market shock push schemes towards insurers over LDI?
The market shock prompted by the government’s “mini” Budget could see a shift away from liability-driven investment strategies and toward insurance deals, experts have suggested.
NewsNew ‘pensions minister’ grilled on AE expansion and tax reform
Alex Burghart, the new parliamentary undersecretary of state at the Department for Work and Pensions, has suggested he is keen to see auto-enrolment expanded to cover emergency savings pots.
News18,000 teachers subject to ‘challenging’ McCloud choice
Some 18,000 teachers have been made retrospectively eligible for Local Government Pension Scheme benefits by the implementation of the McCloud remedy, presenting an “administratively challenging” task for both the Teachers’ Pension Scheme and LGPS-administering authorities, according to the Local Government Pensions Committee.
NewsScottish Widows and Interactive Investor see green pension demand
ESG spotlight: A roundup of the latest news on environmental, social and governance initiatives, including a study from Scottish Widows suggesting green pensions are valuable for recruitment, and news that one in 10 workers have chosen a sustainable pension.
NewsAE contributions not reaching those most in need
While many employers offer auto-enrolment contributions above the minimum rate, the workers that benefit are seldom those most in need, according to new research from Nest Insight.
NewsPPF to slash levy by more than £400mn in two years
The Pension Protection Fund is to slash its levy by more than £400mn by 2023-24, after a review found strong investment performance and a reduced risk of claims.
NewsTPR updates climate risks guidance
On the go: The Pensions Regulator has updated its guidance on climate-related risk requirements to include mention of the “portfolio alignment metric”, which affected schemes have had to provide since October 1.