All articles by Tom Higgins – Page 4
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NewsBudget 2021: Government announces net pay tax relief top-up
Individuals making pension contributions to net pay schemes from 2024-25 will be eligible to claim a top-up, the government has confirmed, while a £71m investment has been earmarked for modernising pensions tax relief administration.
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NewsBudget 2021: Missed opportunity to tackle pensions ‘ticking time-bomb’
Following a Budget speech light on pensions policy announcements, the industry has been weighing in on what has been revealed, including a consultation on the charge cap and a new tax relief for low earners in net pay schemes, while others say that the chancellor has not done enough to address industry concerns.
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NewsSchemes enable more CO2 than entire UK carbon footprint
ESG spotlight:A roundup of the latest news on environmental, social and governance initiatives, including analysis showing the UK’s pensions market would be in the top 20 global carbon emitters if it was a country, and a study concluding that less than 1 per cent of fund assets are Paris-aligned.
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NewsRegulators to push forward with preparations for dashboards
On the go: The Pensions Dashboards Programme has confirmed that its partner organisations, including the Financial Conduct Authority and the Pensions Regulator, are set to begin work on progressing the dashboards programme.
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NewsUK must take lessons from abroad to successfully integrate CDC
On the go: The UK must look to the international experience of collectivised pension schemes and prioritise effective member communications, the Work and Pensions Committee has heard.
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NewsPublic sector pensions cost £57bn more than declared, report finds
The government is misleading parliament and the public over the cost to the taxpayer of public sector pensions, a report from the Institute of Economic Affairs has claimed, while raising further questions around the visibility of these pension schemes.
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NewsCushon launches new private markets investment strategy
On the go: Master trust Cushon has launched a new investment strategy that will see a 15 per cent allocation to private markets, in an attempt to “reduce investment risk”.
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NewsFCA pushes ahead with new illiquids fund for DC schemes
Pension funds will have access to a Long-Term Asset Fund regime following changes made by the Financial Conduct Authority, with special flexibility afforded to defined contribution schemes to invest in illiquid assets.
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NewsTrustee body calls for FCA action on manager voting policies
On the go: The Association of Member Nominated Trustees has called for regulatory action from the Financial Conduct Authority after a review found that a majority of fund managers “promise no meaningful action” in their climate change voting policies.
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NewsEstate agents bring legal action against Purplebricks in pensions row
On the go: Online estate agency Purplebricks is facing legal action from more than 100 of its self-employed estate agents, who claim they are entitled to a workplace pension, contributions and holiday pay.
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News‘Greenium’ widens following £6bn green gilt issuance
On the go: The second issuance of the UK’s green gilt has raised a further £6bn, the Treasury has said, but analysis of the transaction suggests that the ‘greenium’ has widened in secondary markets.
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NewsDWP tells schemes to prioritise stewardship
Pension schemes may see the end of stewardship ‘box-ticking’ under new proposals brought forward by the Department for Work and Pensions.
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NewsLGPS must consider net-zero impact to avoid social downturn, MPs say
MPs have called on Local Government Pension Scheme funds to mitigate the economic and social risks that a shift to a net-zero economy may have on the communities most affected by the green transition, averting a repeat of the mistakes made during the downturn of industry in the 1980s.
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NewsSEI acquires Atlas Master Trust
On the go: Wealth management company SEI has announced the acquisition of Capita’s defined contribution master trust Atlas, subject to regulatory approval.
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NewsNest invests in UK solar farm
On the go: Master trust Nest has acquired a solar farm in Reading through its partnership with Octopus Renewables, meaning that one in three of the UK’s workforce is invested in the site.
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NewsGovt involvement may be needed to find small pots efficiency solution
On the go: Ensuring that savers can financially benefit from the savings of small pots consolidation is a “big question for government”, the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association’s annual conference heard on Thursday.
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NewsAction needed to bolster TCFD uptake despite growing support
On the go: The rate of climate-related financial disclosures has increased more in the past year than in any previous year, the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures has reported, but warned that “significant work” remains.
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NewsIndustry calls for more data clarity on pensions dashboards
The Pensions Dashboards Programme will launch new research into how data will be displayed, after concerns around the ability of schemes to supply estimated retirement income figures were raised by industry in a response to a call for input.
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NewsPLSA publishes ESG case studies, TPP excludes 150 companies
ESG spotlight: A roundup of the latest news on environmental, social and governance initiatives, including the launch of practical case studies to help schemes achieve climate goals, and The People’s Pension divesting £226m from companies that failed to meet standards.
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NewsSmart: Trust is key to ensure TPR’s powers are applied fairly
On the go: Member-nominated trustees have “nothing to fear” from the Pensions Regulator’s newly introduced criminal sanctions, chair Sarah Smart told the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association’s annual conference.