More Law & Regulation – Page 27
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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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NewsNew proposals set DB schemes on path to ‘low dependency’
Defined benefit pension schemes will need to be funded in such a way that they are in a state of “low dependency” on their sponsoring employer by the time they are significantly mature, under new government proposals.
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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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NewsPFA pushes for women’s football pension scheme
On the go: The Professional Footballers’ Association is campaigning for a new pension mechanism for women footballers, which would be similar to an arrangement for their male counterparts that is funded by a levy on transfer fees.
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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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NewsPension savers prioritise returns over ‘investment big bang’
On the go: Less than a fifth of pension savers think that investing their pensions in companies or assets that would benefit their local area should be prioritised, new research has revealed.
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NewsABI: Solvency II reforms would ‘disincentivise’ infra investment
The government’s proposed reforms to the Solvency II regime would not help to facilitate insurers’ investment into UK infrastructure, the Association of British Insurers has claimed in a consultation response.
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NewsDB goliaths call for AVCs stronger nudge exemption
Seven defined benefit schemes with £217bn in assets have asked for Work and Pensions committee intervention due to concerns regarding ‘stronger nudge’ requirements, which they believe are not fit for purpose.
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NewsGovernment urged to allow Nest to offer drawdown
The government has been told to amend legislation to allow Nest members to drawdown their pension pot, as well as extending investment pathways to trust-based schemes — requests made as part of a response to its call for evidence on savers’ understanding of their pensions.
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NewsFCA failed to protect British Steel scheme members, MPs say
The Financial Conduct Authority had “inadequate oversight” of companies involved in the British Steel Pension Scheme transfer scandal and was “consistently behind the curve” when responding to issues, MPs have claimed.
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NewsAE bill to allow introduction of new rules when ‘time is right’
On the go: A private members’ bill on auto-enrolment currently being discussed in parliament will set the ground work to introduce reforms “when the government feels that the time is right”, Conservative MP Richard Holden has said.
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NewsScam warnings on DB transfers reach all-time high
On the go: The number of scam warnings on defined benefit transfers is at an all-time high, despite a downward trend in transfer activity, XPS Pensions has said.
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NewsGovt urged to tackle NHS pensions amid staff retention fears
The government has been encouraged to address NHS pensions in order to tackle staff retention issues, following the announcement of a sub-inflation pay rise of 4.5 per cent for eligible dentists and doctors.
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NewsFirefighters demand fix to ‘grossly unfair’ pensions dilemma
The Fire Brigades Union has drawn attention to a problem facing members that have accrued benefits in both the 1992 and 2015 Firefighters’ Pension Schemes, which exposes, in particular, members aged over 55 that can no longer meet firefighters’ fitness requirements.
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NewsGovt equalises tax relief top-ups for net pay savers
On the go: The government has introduced legislation that will equalise the tax relief top-ups offered to low earners saving in net pay arrangements and those using relief at source schemes.
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NewsMPs approve Dominic Harris as new Pensions Ombudsman
On the go: The Work and Pensions Committee has approved the appointment of CMS partner Dominic Harris as the next Pensions Ombudsman.
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NewsIndustry slams govt proposal on dashboards lead time
Respondents to the Department for Work and Pensions’ dashboards consultation have argued that the timeline for making the initiative accessible to the public is too short.
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NewsMaster trusts’ new illiquid investment rules to go ahead
On the go: The Department for Work and Pensions has made minor adjustments to proposals governing Nest’s ability to invest in government bonds, while maintaining the majority of its proposals controlling “employer-related investments” for master trusts, under a consultation aimed at channelling defined contribution money into illiquids.
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NewsPair of ‘advisers’ jailed over £20mn pension fraud
On the go: Two “advisers” who convinced hundreds of pension holders to transfer their pots into self-invested personal pensions, and then unknowingly put them into risky investments as part of a £20mn fraud, have been jailed.
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NewsMPs back tax return solution for self-employed retirement savings
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Financial Resilience has thrown its weight behind using the tax system to help the self-employed save for retirement.