All articles by Benjamin Mercer – Page 5
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NewsCollective defined contribution schemes launch in Great Britain
On the go: Providers in Great Britain are now able to apply to launch collective defined contribution schemes, a development hailed by pensions minister Guy Opperman for its potential to “transform the UK pensions landscape”.
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NewsPandemic damage mitigated as quarter of schemes are in surplus
More than a quarter (27 per cent) of defined benefit and hybrid schemes with tranche 15 valuations were in surplus on a technical provisions basis, despite the market shock of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Pensions Regulator’s latest scheme funding analysis.
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NewsPodcast: Ball in TPR’s court as DB funding code consultation launches
Podcast: The consultation into the defined benefit funding code by the Department for Work and Pensions hints at a prescriptive regime to come, but the Pensions Regulator must improve on its “rubbish” code of practice draft, according to Zedra client director Richard Butcher. He and Hymans Robertson partner Laura McLaren discuss the next steps, stronger nudge concerns, and assess the health of pensions post-Maxwell.
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NewsPPF to cover costs of scheme Fraud Compensation Fund claims
The Department for Work and Pensions is consulting on regulatory amendments that would allow the Pension Protection Fund to make interim payments to cover scheme fees and costs during Fraud Compensation Fund claims, and remove a loophole regarding child dependants.
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NewsUSS annual report shows significant improvement but angers unions
The significant improvement in the Universities Superannuation Scheme’s funding position and resilience has angered the University and College Union, which argued that benefit cuts implemented in April were “totally unnecessary” in light of the scheme’s strength.
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NewsClearGlass: Passive ESG funds provide value for money
On the go: Passive environmental, social and governance funds are cheaper and outperform their non-ESG equivalents, representing value for money, according to a study by ClearGlass Research.
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NewsUSS review sees ‘much improved’ deficit cut by £12bn
Despite an accelerated year-end review conducted by the Universities Superannuation Scheme revealing a “much improved deficit”, with a reduction of £12bn, the trustee board is reluctant to agree to interim changes to benefits of contribution rates before the scheme’s 2023 valuation.
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NewsOpperman to lead task force on ‘social factors’ in ESG
Pensions minister Guy Opperman has announced the creation of a task force to aid trustees with monitoring data and international reporting developments as they pertain to the “S” in environmental, social and governance considerations.
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NewsPPF fulfils strategic priorities and may lower the levy
On the go: The Pension Protection Fund has handed out £1.1bn in member payments in the past year, having successfully met its five strategic priorities — and it may now be in a position to consider bringing down the PPF levy as part of a focus shift towards financial resilience.
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NewsPodcast: Providers delaying transfers are failing their customers
Podcast: The Department for Work and Pensions has been clear about the intent of regulations governing transfers, and providers continuing to delay them are doing their members a disservice, argues PensionBee founder Romi Savova. She is joined by Penfold co-founder Pete Hykin to discuss the ongoing transfer fight, the fallout from pensions minister Guy Opperman’s resignation that wasn’t, and employers misunderstanding auto-enrolment.
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NewsBulk annuity deal volumes on track to hit £35bn in 2022
On the go: Total buy-in and buyout volumes are on track to reach £35bn by the close of the year, up more than 25 per cent from £27.7bn registered in 2021.
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NewsGovt writes off £483,000 as Aon completes Maxwell scheme wind-up
Aon has overseen the wind-up of the AGB Pension Scheme, the last of the so-called “Maxwell pension schemes” supported by Aon Trustees Limited, with the aid of a £483,294 write-off by the government.
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NewsDWP spends £13mn in arrears to FAS members due to court cases
The Department for Work and Pensions is estimating a total cost of £13mn in arrears paid to Financial Assistance Scheme members due to the implementation of recent court cases, its annual report and accounts have revealed.
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NewsNest vows to improve gender and ethnicity pay gaps
On the go: Nest has outlined a path to closing the gender and ethnicity pay gaps following the release of two years’ worth of equality and inclusion data.
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NewsCost of living crisis makes AE expansion unwise
Expanding auto-enrolment during a cost of living crisis would significantly undermine retirement resilience, with low-income earners seeing their surplus income decrease by almost a quarter, according to a new report from Hargreaves Lansdown.
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NewsAlmost one in 10 cut contributions amid cost of living crisis
On the go: Almost one in 10 people (7 per cent) are planning to reduce their workplace pension contributions as the cost of living crisis continues to escalate, according to research from Barnett Waddingham.
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NewsGovernment resignations throw pensions into ‘turmoil’
Collapsing scenery in and around Downing Street has sparked fear in the pensions industry, as the resignation of pensions minister Guy Opperman brings important reforms to a halt.
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News90% of savers would use digital pensions dashboard
On the go: Nine in 10 savers would use a digital pensions dashboard if it gave them a consolidated view of their pensions, savings and investments, according to research from The Investing and Saving Alliance and EY.
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NewsOpperman rebuffs Timms’ FAS criticism
On the go: Prior to his resignation, pensions minister Guy Opperman rejected Work and Pensions Committee chair Sir Stephen Timms’ criticisms over the Financial Assistance Scheme compensation cap.
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NewsDWP fails to end transfer ‘war’ between PensionBee and providers
Attempts by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Pensions Regulator to clarify the intent behind rules governing pension transfers have failed to settle the matter between PensionBee and providers it accused of wrongdoing, as critics say intent does not trump law.