All articles by Benjamin Mercer – Page 11
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NewsHigh Court resolves Merchant Navy ill-health pensions conundrum
The High Court has approved a settlement over ill-health benefits in the Merchant Navy Ratings Pension Fund, which will see members compensated via lump sum arrears and increased pensions to those who had not been treated in accordance with scheme rules.
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NewsPodcast: Universal charges could harm master trust competition
Podcast: The intent behind universal charges on default funds is sound, but the method — such as the introduction of flat fees — risks harming the master trust sector and restricting access to pensions, according to The People’s Pension’s director of policy Phil Brown. He his joined by his colleague, head of pensions policy Tim Gosling, to discuss charge structures, decumulation solutions, and baffling pensions jargon.
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NewsEarnings trigger remains unaltered in auto-enrolment expansion bill
A bill to expand automatic enrolment, to be debated in parliament on February 25, will not look to remove the £10,000 earnings trigger contrary to initial expectations.
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NewsUSS deal pushed through as unions threaten more strikes
Employers have agreed a deal with the trustee of the Universities Superannuation Scheme that will stave off “ruinous” contribution rate hikes resulting from its controversial 2020 valuation, but unions are threatening further industrial action over what they say amounts to a 35 per cent cut to member benefits.
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NewsMPs back amendment against political divestments by LGPS
MPs in the House of Commons have approved an amendment that would allow ministers to issue guidance stymieing the ability of public sector pension schemes, including the Local Government Pension Scheme, to pursue politically motivated boycotts and divestment policies.
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NewsPrivate schools offer olive branch over teachers’ pension strikes
The Girl’s Day School Trust has made a new offer to teachers striking over plans to withdraw from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, but unions have branded the proposal “very disappointing”.
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NewsBuck launches ‘gap analysis’ governance solution
On the go: Buck has launched a new “gap analysis” governance tool designed to help schemes navigate the Pensions Regulator’s forthcoming combined code of practice.
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NewsUniversities reject union’s USS valuation solution
Employers have rejected proposals from the University and College Union to end the impasse over the Universities Superannuation Scheme’s 2020 valuation, while yet more institutions have seen staff walk out on strike.
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NewsGovt confirms GMP revaluation rate after receiving only two responses
On the go: The Department for Work and Pensions will be lowering the guaranteed minimum pension fixed rate revaluation for early leavers by 0.25 percentage points, after its consultation into the matter attracted just two responses.
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NewsNorfolk Pension Fund takes Apple to court over losses
A court in California has granted Norfolk County Council’s petition, on behalf of the Norfolk Pension Fund, to be named lead representative in a class action lawsuit against Apple over alleged securities fraud.
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NewsRoyal Mail moves ahead with CDC scheme after consultation
On the go: Royal Mail, the Communication Workers Union and Unite have agreed to progress plans to introduce a new collective defined contribution scheme, the first of its type in the country, following a consultation with members.
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NewsGovt dismisses USS guarantee as employers discuss new proposals
The Department for Education has dismissed the significance of a guarantee of Universities Superannuation Scheme benefits that early reports suggested could constitute a full government underwrite of the scheme, while employers have announced a short consultation on union proposals to resolve the 2020 valuation dispute.
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NewsInconsistent retirement estimates could undermine dashboards
Consumer confidence in the pensions dashboards could be undermined unless the methodology for calculating estimated retirement income is standardised and aligned with statutory money purchase illustrations, the Financial Reporting Council has said.
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NewsBuck completes first ‘standalone’ GMP equalisation project
On the go: Buck claims it has completed the industry’s first ‘standalone’ guaranteed minimum pension equalisation project.
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NewsCalls to raise the contribution limit for non-earners
On the go: The pension contribution limit for non-earners should be significantly increased to help tackle the pension savings gap, Aegon has said.
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NewsRegulators should look at the role of introducers in British Steel scandal
On the go: Regulators have been urged to look again at the role of introducers in the British Steel Pension Scheme transfers scandal that has seen more than £20mn paid out in compensation.
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NewsLecturers strike again over USS benefit cuts
On the go: Staff at 44 institutions are to walk out once again over planned benefit cuts to the Universities Superannuation Scheme.
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NewsL&G ‘well advanced’ with commercial dashboard development
Legal & General is “well advanced” with the development of a commercial dashboard, building on the work done in the alpha and beta stages of the Pensions Dashboards Programme.
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NewsEmployers and union at loggerheads as USS deadline looms
Employer representatives have again criticised the University and College Union as the deadline for avoiding “unaffordable” contribution rate hikes in the Universities Superannuation Scheme approaches.
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NewsPodcast: Government must set a timeline for auto-enrolment expansion
Podcast: Auto-enrolment could bring significant benefits to the young, the low-paid and women, and the government must commit to a date to expanding coverage, according to Now Pensions’ head of PR and campaigns, Samantha Gould. She is joined by Linklaters pensions partner John Sheppard to discuss AE, pensions dashboards, and illiquid investments by defined contribution schemes.