All articles by Benjamin Mercer – Page 4
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NewsGovt to change civil servants’ early pensions access
The government has proposed to change the rules around early access to pensions in the civil service, tracking 10 years behind state pension age, according to a new consultation over reforms to the Civil Service Compensation Scheme.
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NewsTransfer volumes could hit £600bn as insurers post strong results
A host of insurers have revealed their first-half 2022 results that show a booming trade in risk transfers, which, by some projections, could hit £600bn over the next decade — though there are fears about a capacity crunch in the sector.
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NewsMaPS unclear on origin for half of amber flag scam warnings
On the go: Nearly half (44 per cent) of scam guidance sessions in the past three months have been triggered despite the Money and Pensions Service not knowing why the amber flag was raised to begin with, according to data obtained via freedom of information act request by Quilter.
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NewsFBU receives more than 750 ‘immediate detriment’ claims
On the go: The Fire Brigades Union has received more than 750 ‘immediate detriment’ claims since June 6, despite being told by the Fire Chiefs’ Council that it should hold off applying immediate detriment until legislation is introduced next year.
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NewsGovt rejects appeal to make NHS scheme tax-unregistered
The government has rejected a petition to make the NHS pension scheme tax-unregistered, arguing that the loss of tax-relief and lump sums “would not benefit the vast majority of members”.
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PodcastsPodcast: Schemes struggle to educate members amid cost of living crisis
Podcast: Members should be able to consider dipping into their pensions early to combat the cost of living crisis, but schemes may struggle to educate them about the best means of doing so without giving them advice. Society of Pensions Professionals president Steve Hitchiner is joined by AgeWage chief executive Henry Tapper, founder of the Pension Playpen, to discuss recession fears, consumer protection for dashboards, and expanding long-term asset funds.
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NewsCalls for stewardship code to engage members as well as managers
On the go: The Financial Reporting Council’s stewardship code must “look both ways” and engage members as well as asset managers in developing guidance and standards, according to fintech company Tumelo.
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NewsCornish housing association pilots ‘living pension’
On the go: A Cornish housing association is piloting a ‘living pension’ scheme for its employees, building on research that suggests some savers’ pension contributions will need to rise to more than double their current rate.
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NewsPublic sector retirees face higher exit payment scrutiny
Substantial exit payments resulting from pension strain arrangements in the public sector will likely see people nearing retirement having their cases referred to HM Treasury, under a proposed new regime.
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NewsScams action group gets six-figure budget to tackle fraud
On the go: The Pension Scams Action Group, a renamed and revamped Project Bloom, is to get a six-figure budget to tackle scams across the next year, with the prospect of more to come.
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NewsWaiting times a problem as demand for Pensions Ombudsman rises
The Pensions Ombudsman has been successful in its application for additional funding, part of which will go towards establishing its new pensions dishonesty unit, and tackling customer waiting times as demand is expected to rise by at least 10 per cent over the next year.
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NewsGovt to consult on further LGPS McCloud regulations in 2023
On the go: The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is to consult on further regulations governing the application of the McCloud remedy to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
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NewsTaylor Wimpey suspends escrow payments
On the go: Home construction company Taylor Wimpey has suspended escrow payments to its defined benefit pension scheme due to its strong funding position.
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NewsTruss hints at doctors’ pension fix
On the go: Conservative party leadership candidate Liz Truss has said she will “sort out” the problems with doctors’ pensions in a bid to tackle the staff retention crisis, though she has not yet said how she would go about doing this.
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NewsOmbudsman fines Capita for substandard administration
The Pensions Ombudsman has told Capita to pay £500 to a disgruntled scheme member as its communications “fell below the standards of good administration”, though the member’s substantive complaint was not upheld.
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NewsUnite calls for pension protection in Bournemouth Transport deal
On the go: The trade union Unite has called on the prospective new owners of Bournemouth Transport to commit to protecting jobs and pensions.
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NewsNHS pension payments delayed as retirements surge 50%
More than a thousand NHS pensioners have seen their pension payments delayed as the NHS Business Services Authority, which administers NHS pensions, struggles to cope with a spike in retirements and resignations.
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NewsMcCloud incentives see hundreds of Scottish police retire early
On the go: Incentives introduced as part of the McCloud remedy have led to hundreds of Scottish police officers — many in senior positions — choose to retire early, leading to fears that the force is not sufficiently manned to tackle serious crime.
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NewsLGPS board presses new ministers on TCFD timetable
On the go: The Scheme Advisory Board of the Local Government Pension Scheme has written to two newly appointed government ministers urging them to commit to a timetable for scheme reform, as fears mount that important consultations could be delayed.
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NewsDLUHC rules out requirement for LGPS to provide life assurance AVCs
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has confirmed there is no regulatory requirement to provide life assurance additional voluntary contributions under the 2013 regulations governing the Local Government Pension Scheme, but said it will consider amending the rules to clarify matters.