Victoria Tichá
- Features
Trustees insulated from Rothesay-Pru back-book fallout
While a court’s decision to block a £12bn annuity back-book deal between Prudential and Rothesay Life has profound implications for the insurance industry, experts say defined benefit trustees should be safe as long as they do their homework on bulk annuity providers.
- Features
Civil service admin issues signal wider malaise
The government is recouping £2.7m in overpayments to civil service pensioners, but experts warn issues with administration, data and technology continue to impact members and businesses across the industry.
- News
Workers must save quarter of income for ‘moderate’ retirement lifestyle
On the go: UK savers need to save at least £800 a month to achieve the moderate living standard outlined by the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association, research by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries has found.
FeaturesApp targeting self-employed aims to ‘democratise investment’
With fewer than a fifth of the UK’s self-employed population saving into a pension, one start-up has challenged traditional providers and savings solutions in a bid to address the issue.
- Features
Barnet sees improvement in admin following regulatory intervention
The London Borough of Barnet Superannuation Fund has introduced a range of new internal controls to improve its administration in response to sustained criticism of its service levels and intervention by the Pensions Regulator.
- News
FRC unveils stewardship code addressing ESG engagement
On the go: A new code from the Financial Reporting Council dictates how asset managers and pension funds should engage with companies for better environmental and social outcomes, including on climate change.
- News
Lack of opportunities still a barrier for schemes seeking illiquidity
On the go: Demand for real assets is growing, but pension funds say regulatory interference and availability of assets is still the biggest challenge facing investors on the hunt for illiquidity premium.
- Features
How can UK climb up global pension rankings?
Data Crunch: The UK is now the fourteenth-best pension system in the world scoring a C+, according to the 2019 Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index, but low adequacy and sustainability scores suggest there is still a long way to go to improve retirement outcomes for members.
- News
Opperman urges schemes to ‘act now to equalise GMP’
On the go: Guy Opperman has called on pension schemes to take immediate action to equalise guaranteed minimum pension payments.
FeaturesMinimum AE contributions cannot achieve ‘comfort’ in retirement
The industry has welcomed the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association’s retirement income standards, but experts warn current minimum contribution levels are not enough to get average savers over the line from a minimum to a moderate lifestyle standard.
- News
Providers to be fined £50k if they break dashboard rules
On the go: The government has revealed that providers that fail to supply data for the pensions dashboards could be fined up to £50,000 by The Pensions Regulator.
- News
Consultation on DB funding code expected early 2020
On the go: A consultation on a revised defined benefit funding code will be launched at the start of next year, according to Charles Counsell, chief executive of the Pensions Regulator.
- News
Consolidators unfazed after being dropped from pensions bill
The two existing defined benefit commercial consolidators have said they are not surprised by the lack of superfund provisions in the pensions bill.
- News
Nest membership shrug off 2018 AE rate hikes
On the go: Members of master trust Nest were largely immune to the 2018 rise in minimum auto-enrolment contributions, according to new analysis showing opt-out rates remained stable.
- News
LGPS Central Pool launches sustainable fund
On the go: The Local Government Pension Scheme Central Pool has launched a new equity fund incorporating key climate change considerations in a bid to deliver long-term growth.
- News
One in three schemes consider appointing IFA
On the go: Some 35 per cent of pension schemes have either appointed or are considering appointing an independent financial adviser to support members, research reveals.
- News
Poorest pensioners receive least government support
On the go: The poorest fifth of UK pensioners are receiving up to £4,000 less in state benefit income than their richer counterparts, research reveals.
- News
DB funding levels improve over September
On the go: The overall funding position of UK defined benefit schemes improved in September, according to figures released by the Pension Protection Fund on Tuesday.
- Features
Government must revise AE or ‘risk leaving a whole generation behind’
Current minimum automatic enrolment contribution levels are not enough to plug the savings gap, with more savers expecting to work well into retirement, say experts.
NewsField sounds alarm over unregulated DB superfunds
The chair of the Work and Pensions Committee has warned that the government may be putting retirements at risk if it does not bring forward legislation to regulate defined benefit superfunds.