All articles by Maxine Kelly
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Opinion
Why information is key – and government needs to plan for GenX
Pensions Expert 20th Anniversary: Two former editors look back at their tenure and reveal what they think the future will hold for pensions, members and the industry.
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Opinion
Mastertrusts have the next milestone in sight
Mastertrusts are on their way to becoming a dominant force in the UK pensions system, having woven themselves into the fabric of workplace defined contribution provision.
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OpinionInput > income > outcome
Editorial: A flurry of innovation in defined contribution scheme design has been catalysed by the pension freedoms. Glidepaths are forking out in an attempt to capture the wants and needs of this new age of retiree, while diversified growth funds continue to find homes in these newly lengthened growth phases.
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FeaturesFujifilm develops its DC default fund approach
Fujifilm is overhauling its defined contribution default fund to improve its performance and relevance to members, as schemes continue to rethink DC glide paths following the pension freedoms.
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FeaturesThe top 5 DC stories from 2015 reflect a challenging year
Year in Review: It was a massive year for defined contribution, with new pension flexibilities, the subsequent government guidance promise and of course the charge cap to contend with.
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Features
Secondhand annuity market takes shape but risk of poor deals looms
Analysis: The government has confirmed it will soften the tax hit for those looking to take advantage of the secondary annuity market, but some experts are concerned the financial services industry holds all the cards in getting the best deal.
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OpinionAn outstanding year for pensions…
Editorial: And by that I mean we’re coming to the end of 2015 with several gargantuan issues left outstanding, hanging over the heads of schemes and providers.
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OpinionDerisking dead ends
Editorial: If you’re short of gift ideas for your favourite veteran trustee or scheme manager, the Pension Protection Fund’s Purple Book could be a good shout.
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OpinionGuidance should be the 'aperitif' of the wider advice process
Good guidance around the point of retirement will not be enough to ensure individuals manage the shape of their income in later life effectively, industry commentators have said.
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OpinionRisk of retrospective fury
Editorial: The pension items touched on in Wednesday's Autumn Statement may not have been as tectonic as the industry has become accustomed to in recent years, but it was further confirmation – if ever it was needed – that a break from 'progress' is not on the cards.
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Opinion
DC design: Six graphs on employers' direction of travel
From the blog: It’s time to turn words into action. While schemes have been extolling the feted ‘better member outcomes’, little movement is taking place to turn hopes and dreams into components of success.
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Opinion
DC Debate: Autumn Statement, VfM and governance
In this final quarterly DC Debate of the year, our seven panel members discuss the speed at which DC reviews are being carried out, the effectiveness of IGCs, value for money in the real world and Autumn Statement predictions.
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OpinionGive it a rest
Editorial: A bit of signposting, scheduling and detail. That’s what most seem to be expecting for the pensions industry in Wednesday’s Autumn Statement.
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Opinion
Sometimes it's hard to be a woman – 3 takeaways from the latest data
I’m sure Tammy Wynette didn’t have pensions in mind when she sang these lyrics in that classic country dirge.
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OpinionSafe as houses?
Editorial: How individuals assess risk and reward is extremely complex. Data from the Office for National Statistics this week showed people would prefer to take a punt on property over pensions to deliver a retirement income.
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OpinionRaining blows
Editorial: You’ve probably seen it already. The broadside delivered to the Local Government Pension Scheme by the Centre for Policy Studies’ Michael Johnson, in a letter to the FT this week.
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NewsMolins saves £500k a year after strategy overhaul
Cigarette manufacturing company Molins has revised its investment strategy to reduce costs and focus on outgoings rather than capital growth, as many defined benefit schemes creep closer to being cash-flow negative.
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OpinionLords leaves Osborne stumped
Editorial: A Lord’s makeover is overdue and changes to the institution are in train, it was confirmed this week.
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OpinionMonstrous waste or gargantuan success?
Editorial: Nothing says workplace pensions like an oversized, multicoloured, Furby-type thing. I am, of course, talking about the mascot featured in the government’s latest advertising campaign on auto-enrolment.
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OpinionA real crowd PLSA
Editorial: The NAPF annual conference is the pinnacle of pensions jollies and the event this week had an added buzz in the air. While the industry still faces some uncertain times, it was enjoying what seemed to be a greater sense of stability in its own identity compared with this time last year.