All Society of Pension Professionals articles
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OpinionKeeping up the fight against pension scams
With the Financial Conduct Authority consulting on changes to transfer rules, the Society of Pension Professionals’ David James looks at how to update the rulebook to better protect members from potential scams.
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NewsGovernment urged to ‘seriously reconsider’ LGPS proposals
Industry commentators have warned of challenging timelines to achieve the government’s plans for the LGPS, while significant improvements to funding call into question the need for reform.
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NewsOutlook 2025: The pensions industry’s wishlist for the new year
Pensions Expert spoke to six major industry groups to find out what they want to see happen in 2025, from the Pensions Review and the Pension Schemes Bill to trustee powers and improvements to member outcomes.
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NewsMore ESG reporting raises risk of legal challenges for trustees
Tougher reporting requirements for environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors leave pension schemes and companies more exposed to the risk of legal challenges, a senior lawyer has warned.
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NewsIndustry calls for change to levy rules as PPF seeks to raise £100m
The government should rewrite rules around the Pension Protection Fund’s (PPF) levy to reduce unnecessary costs for defined benefit (DB) schemes, according to industry commentators.
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FeaturesThe increasing appetite for nature-based investment
A poll by the Society of Pension Professionals has found growing interest in nature-related risks and opportunities as momentum grows globally.
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News‘Systemic risks’ in rushing to embrace insurer buyouts, warns SPP
In its Vision 2030 report, the Society of Pension Professionals (SPP) warned that insurance buyouts ‘may not always be the answer’ and diversification of endgame options beyond government gilts was needed to secure the long-term future of all pension schemes.
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NewsSPP: Decumulation reforms must build on successes of auto enrolment policies
The Society of Pension Professionals (SPP) has issued feedback to the the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)’s consultations on small pots and helping savers understanding their pension choices/decumulation.
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NewsPension schemes delaying dashboard work to concentrate on more 'pressing' projects
An SPP survey found nearly three quarters of consultants had seen a slowdown in related activities since a delay to the implementation of the pensions dashboard.
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FeaturesWill DC consolidation present master trusts with crock of gold?
Within a decade, some 15 or more master trusts will have disappeared. Today, 36 players jockey for pole position. What will this huge transition mean for trustees, sponsors, and members, asks Stephane Hawthorne?
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NewsTiming and flexibility concerns raised over LGPS climate reporting
The pensions industry has expressed its concerns to the government over proposals surrounding new requirements for Local Government Pension Scheme funds to produce climate risk reports, citing fears over the timescale imposed and a lack of flexibility.
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NewsTPR approached a ‘number of times’ by capital-backed consolidators
The Pensions Regulator has been approached a “number of times” by companies working on capital-backed consolidation models, according to Charles Counsell, who has called for superfund legislation.
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NewsOpperman has ‘zero sympathy’ for concerns over dashboards’ timeline
Pensions minister Guy Opperman has rebuffed concerns over the timescale of the Pensions Dashboards Programme, adding that the project would have moved at even greater speed if he had his way.
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NewsPensions dashboards standards need ‘extensive user testing’
Respondents to the pensions dashboards standards consultation have warned that user testing and experience will be required before a full assessment can be provided.
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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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NewsSPP warns of covenant ESG risk, Scottish Widows issues ultimatum
ESG spotlight: A roundup of the latest news on environmental, social and governance initiatives, including the Society of Pension Professionals’ new guide to ESG, and Scottish Widows’ stewardship demands of its asset managers.
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NewsNew SPP president targets DC outcomes
The Society of Pension Professionals’ new president, Steve Hitchiner, has demanded greater focus on outcomes for defined contribution scheme members.
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NewsDashboards timeline and guidance barriers concern industry bodies
Two of the pensions industry’s largest organisations have caveated their broad support for the pensions dashboards project with concerns about timing, consistency and red tape surrounding financial advice.
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NewsPension professionals demand dashboards and climate action
On the go: Pensions dashboards and climate change action ranked as the joint top priority for Society of Pension Professionals members, according to a new survey.
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OpinionSchemes need to consider illiquids in endgame scenarios
With most defined benefit pension funds having an eye on the ‘endgame’, and for many this ultimately meaning buyout, a wariness towards locking assets up into illiquids that are hard to sell is not surprising.