Monthly Archives: October 2011

Can no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?

Posted on October 30, 2011 by

The running gag is that the Church of England’s the Tory Party at prayer and if there’d been a Tory party in 1170 I reckon they’d regard Giles Fraser and Thomas Beckett as peas from the same pod. My Sunday … Continue reading →

Posted in Bankers, Church of England, Fred Goodwin, Occupy London, Treasury | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Perverse incentives; Sexycash or prudent pension?

Posted on October 29, 2011 by

The problem we all face when we are asked to choose between cash or pension is very complicated. It is possible to put a cash price on a pound’s worth of pension but that’s just the beginning of the story. … Continue reading →

Posted in annuity, corporate governance, customer service, dc pensions, de-risking, mallowstreet, NEST, pension playpen, pensions, Retail Distribution Review, Retirement, social media | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

“99 will do” – a blog for golf widow(er)s

Posted on October 28, 2011 by

It is thoroughly to be recommended to all who have loved ones addicted to the game of golf. It will cure them of that addiction and send them home to your arms, in which they may find solace. Continue reading →

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Rising to Beecroft’s challenge- can we make pensions work for micro-employers?

Posted on October 27, 2011 by

Scanning the Pension Press as one does when having breakfast these days, I came across an excellent piece of reporting on Pension Insight (fast becoming one of  the best on-line pension publications). New laws are to be introduced which will … Continue reading →

Posted in annuity, corporate governance, customer service, dc pensions, de-risking, Fiduciary Management, mallowstreet, NEST, Nick Clegg, pension playpen, pensions, Personal Accounts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Ich am of Irlaunde

Posted on October 26, 2011 by

We arrived in Dublin in monsoon conditions. A county’s economy under water – within expectations, a country underwater…? Continue reading →

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Aldershot now favourites to beat Manchester Utd

Posted on October 25, 2011 by

This is a once in a lifetime headline with no basis in fact. But I am dreaming. It’s hard to love a team of mercenaries purchased by some super Sheikhs but for Balotelli’s stony faced celebration alone, they were value . … Continue reading →

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Will the Big Society sort pensions?

Posted on October 23, 2011 by

When people get to their sixties, they are faced with some big choices. There are life-style choices as they face up to their bodies not being able to do what they once did and their brains not being quite as quick as they … Continue reading →

Posted in annuity, corporate governance, customer service, dc pensions, de-risking, Fiduciary Management, NEST, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Sexy cash for pensions – Politician nearly loses his patience

Posted on October 22, 2011 by

No matter how blameless Stevie may be, he’s only as good as his team. He protests that the DWP and the Treasury are the best of mates; the malpractice exposed like Alan Higham smacks of the DWP getting a little too close to the “dark side”. Continue reading →

Posted in annuity, corporate governance, customer service, dc pensions, de-risking, NEST, Nick Clegg, pensions, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

DC Risk sharing aux etats de Jersey

Posted on October 21, 2011 by

  A year ago I wrote of the NAPF 2010 gig as our train departed Lime Street. I’m writing as my train pulls out of Piccadilly-Joanne may be aboard. I hope she’s not bought another first class ticket as this train has been … Continue reading →

Posted in annuity, EU Solvency II, mallowstreet, pension playpen, Retirement, Salford Quays, Treasury | Tagged , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Getting away with murder on the Orient Express

Posted on October 19, 2011 by

My Dad’s recently had his 80th, my Mum’s not far behind so I thought I’d give them a treat, a day on a train eating a five course meal with champagne and all the trimmings – £500 but with the Orient Express … Continue reading →

Posted in corporate governance, customer service | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment