Louise Farrand
Louise Farrand is executive director of the Defined Contribution Investment Forum, and was interim editor of Pensions Expert in 2023.
OpinionShould DC investors bail out the chancellor?
Louise Farrand of the DC Investor Forum explores a recent letter from more than 250 business leaders to the chancellor calling for greater domestic investment in UK companies.
NewsIncrease in pension contributions would create tough times for small businesses
The Federation of Small Businesses has called for a full economic assessment before any increases to minimum contribution rates.
NewsHousing costs will make or break retirement for Generation Rent
Retirement renters less than half to reach the minimum standard of living
NewsAnnuity rates reach highest point of the decade
Average annuity rates reached 7.72% in March – a 10% year on year improvement
NewsTwo UK pension schemes announce new private markets allocations
One DB and one DC scheme announce £100m and £48m private markets mandates, respectively.
FeaturesChanging course: The case for reinvesting pension scheme surpluses
Ahead of chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Mansion House speech on Thursday, Pensions Expert explores changing attitudes towards defined benefit scheme surpluses and how they could be used to benefit members, employers and the wider economy.
NewsPension and decumulation complaints rise by 27% in 18 months
Some industry figures question whether consolidation is working, as the FCA publishes complaints data.
NewsGeneration Rent retirees could be forced to flee from cities to find housing
Review housing plans and set out a roadmap for improving adequacy, the International Longevity Centre tells the government.
NewsWhat’s in store for DC pension schemes in 2024?
DC is in flux, creating significant uncertainty for the pensions industry. With growth comes new opportunities – but the devil’s in the detail when it comes to implementation.
NewsDalriada Trustees launches Dalriada.Together
Consolidation services offers trusteeship, governance, admin and more to schemes
NewsA record year for insurance transactions: what 2024 will bring for DB schemes
£80bn could be written in insurance transactions this year – while other DB schemes might consider running on. In the background, a general election is looming. What’s on the horizon for DB schemes in 2024?
NewsThe Pensions Regulator lays general code in Parliament
Experts expect the long-awaited code to drive further consolidation, as the regulator warns that many schemes risk falling short of its governance expectations
NewsPensions minister under investigation for alleged expenses breaches
Paul Maynard to be investigated by the parliamentary expenses watchdog after spending £106,000 on printing.
NewsTPR prosecutes former trustee
Stephen Smith given suspended sentence for making forbidden loans with pension scheme money
NewsOver half of Gen X believe they haven’t saved enough for retirement
Retirement worries are causing sleepless nights for Britons
NewsRethinking fiduciary duty
A tweak to pension schemes’ definition of fiduciary duty is needed, rather than a wholesale rewrite of the law
NewsMaking guidance personal rings true with consumers
Personalised guidance meant 76% of consumers made a good financial decision – as opposed to 14% when presented with generic guidance
NewsNew proposals may help bridge the advice gap
FCA explores how to make advice and guidance better for consumers in a policy paper, making three key suggestions
NewsGet better at engaging – or else, warns UK’s largest pension provider
If providers keep failing to help customers engage with retirement, they will fall foul of consumer duty, warns Andy Briggs
NewsLGPS schemes warn the government not to meddle with their investments
Introducing target allocations will create unintended consequences, LGPS schemes warn