Monthly Archives: January 2012
“Making Pension Charges Clearer” – good on the NAPF
The NAPF, as I’ve mentioned a few times on this blog, are a rather better trade body than you’d expect . Revitalised by Joanne Seagers and Dan Torjussen-Proctor they appear a more progressive member centric organisation than in years gone by. Ambitiously, they … Continue reading
You can’t please everyone so please yourself
Some people live for themselves, others live selflessly but most of us find our worth in the value others place in them. If you depend on the value others see in you for your sel-worth, your life will be an emotional … Continue reading
Posted in happiness, religion, social media
Tagged Facebook, Google, Klout, linkedin, Online Communities, social media, Social Networking, twitter
2 Comments
The Racket of the Lambs – 20 things you never wanted to know about Pension Rocks III’s top band
The Racket of the Lambs is the house band of the Pension Play Pen- Europe‘s fastest growing pension group (unverified). It is led by the Jackal – Simon Kew Its musical director is the Legend (that is Dick Strattan) 4. Our Drummer is … Continue reading
To get better pensions we need to share risk
Yesterday, Steve Webb announced he was to review the level of protection that needed to be provided to private pensions in payment. His intention is to help the solvency of defined benefit schemes which might need to reserve less for future guarantees. He is … Continue reading
Posted in annuity, corporate governance, dc pensions, de-risking, EU Solvency II, Fiduciary Management, Management, NEST, pensions, Retirement
Tagged CDC, Defined benefit pension plan, Derek, Dutch, Employment, pension, Standard Life, Steve Webb, trustee
9 Comments
Rose Metcalf- dancing seafarer to the rescue.
Did anyone hear the full interview on Radio Five Live this morning with Rose Metcalf? The 22-year-old dancer told of her night helping passengers, staff and herself off the stricken Costa Concordia with a poise and understatement that suggests she has rather more … Continue reading
Posted in costa concordia, Cruise boats, Henry Tapper blog
Tagged BBC, BBC Radio 5 Live, Carnival Corporation & plc, Costa Concordia, Daily Mail, Dorset, Eurozone, Isola del Giglio, Italy, Radio Five Live, Rose, Rose Metcalf, Timeline of the sinking of RMS Titanic, Tragic, Travel, Wimborne Minster
14 Comments
Who made that choice for you?
Put the question “why are pensions guaranteed?” into google and you will not get an answer. I reckon it’s because no-one asks the question. Why is nobody asking the question? Is someone guaranteeing the value of your house? Is there … Continue reading
Posted in annuity, auto-enrolment, corporate governance, customer service, EU Solvency II
Tagged Contract, Dutch, pension, Pound sterling, Question, Steve Webb, United States, Wikipedia
13 Comments
Can we have a word Mr Webb?
You mentioned that there should be a default position (on mallowstreet). I have argued that there is a default decumulation position, it is a level single life annuity provided by the insurer that managed your pension accumulation. This is a “pot-luck” position and many are buying appalling annuities as a result. This is at the root of what we, Robin Ellison, Con Keating, Alan Higham , the AMNT and Kevin Wesbroom, (to name but a handful of those calling for change), are trying to address. Continue reading
Posted in annuity, auto-enrolment, corporate governance, customer service, dc pensions, de-risking, Fiduciary Management, Liberal Democrats, NEST, Nick Clegg, pension playpen, pensions, Personal Accounts, Retirement
Tagged Civil service, Con Keating, Derek, Dutch, Dutch people, Government, Life annuity, pension, Pension Protection Fund, Steve Webb
14 Comments
Rich Hedgehogs, poor clients
From the Economist HEDGE-fund managers are the smartest investors around. With keen eyes and sharp brains, they spot and exploit inefficiencies in the markets. Or at least that is what the industry tells its clients. There is no doubt that hedge-fund … Continue reading
Popcorn pensions
I was sitting in Kentucky Fried Chicken with my friend Mr Peter Shellswell last week. We were eating the salad in case you are wondering. Popcorn chicken and gravy is my fave but we’d decided to be good. Continue reading
Posted in auto-enrolment, corporate governance, customer service, dc pensions, de-risking, EU Solvency II, Fiduciary Management, mallowstreet, pension playpen, Retirement, social media
Tagged Business, Canada, Defined benefit pension plan, Employment, Human Resources, Ken Dodd, regulation
11 Comments
Is Auto-Enrolment a busted flush? Pension Play Pen lunch Jan 2012
The Play Pen sat down for the 26th time at the Counting House on Monday 9th Jan 2012-the first working Monday of the month. It concluded that their was life in auto-enrolment though enthusiasm for the project and for NEST … Continue reading