Tag Archives: Financial services

Financial Education – why we do it- why we love it!

We’re simple folk at First Actuarial .we build our strategies around things we like to do, things we are good at and things that need to be done. We like helping people “get” pensions. It gives us a buzz when … Continue reading

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“Pensions that are no more”

Cardinal O’Brien Scotland‘s most senior Catholic, has been very specific in his comments on social inequality. Ostensibly they are aimed at David Cameron, but if the pensions industry think they are absolved, they should think again. (Cardinal O’Brien) said: “When I say poor, I don’t … Continue reading

Posted in Church of England, Consolation, dc pensions, defined aspiration, pensions, Public sector pensions, religion | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Now I speak actuarial

You can’t laugh out loud in the Institute of Actuaries‘ global HQ in Staple‘s Inn London. You would undoubtedly be ensnared in a giant spreadsheet and gently subsumed by toxic algorithms. Actuaries do not enjoy words, they prefer numbers and when … Continue reading

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SHOULD INVSTORS BE PREPARED TO PAY FOR CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT?

This is the question we’ll be debating at today’s pension play pen lunch. I’m a little daunted . I’ve read Professor John Kay‘s excellent paper about how equities work, should work and why they could work better. He’s in the middle … Continue reading

Posted in Bankers, Change, corporate governance, FSA, happiness, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“I felt I’d helped”

What I am most keen to do, is to make sure that the pride that drove the simple words “I felt I helped”, is remembered and used by the youngsters when times get tough again.

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Posted in Change, de-risking, Financial Education, Henry Tapper blog, pensions, Popcorn Pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

How to get the pension you’ve earned

In response to some earlier blogs, Alan Higham has made this comment on a Pension Play Pen discussion thread. Alan regularly features in my thinking as does Andy Young (of the “Young report” below). Both are actuaries who have translated … Continue reading

Posted in dc pensions, de-risking, defined aspiration, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Advice in the workplace is 20% cheaper

I’m grateful to Paul Taylor of McCarthy Taylor for an excellent article on the current VAT treatment on the provision of free standing versus product related advice. His point is that when advice is linked to a VAT exempt product, the product can be used … Continue reading

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How’s this for a rip-off?

I’m not sure if it’s my job to whistle blow and so far they have only followed 82 people on twitter (including me) – but don’t you reckon this kind of offer is a little dubious? Continue reading

Posted in customer service, dc pensions, de-risking, happiness, Henry Tapper blog, Management, Martin Lewis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

WE’VE GOT OUR POPCORN PENSIONS!

There have been a few times in my life that I have felt completely happy, the birth of my son, winning a scholarship to Bryanston and a telephone call received yesterday evening are three that spring to mind. Moments when your sense of self-worth is captured completely in the realisation that something wonderful has happened. Continue reading

Posted in customer service, Henry Tapper blog, Management, pension playpen, pensions, Popcorn Pensions, social media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Controlling wealth is not the same as generating wealth

IFAs Control £591bn of Britain’s wealth. That’s a whole lot of moley. Continue reading

Posted in Bankers, corporate governance, Fiduciary Management, Horse racing, Management, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments