In an astonishing outburst at today Play Pen London lunch, pedagogue David Hargreaves bit the hand that fed and claimed that the predicament at retirement was down to the financial services industry.
Hargreaves, an actuary who trades as the pension school told the stunned luncheon group that
“everyday people didn’t trust pensions, insurance companies, annuities or advisers for that matter”.
His stunned audience listened on in horror as he told them his research had shown that were it not for financial services companies, people would have loads of money in retirement and would be a whole lot happier.
“something must be done about this man”,
claimed one luncher
“if this gets any further this’ll be the last Fullers Special Pie we’ll be gulping down for a while”
……
“I nearly choked on my bangers and mash”
spluttered another
“with honesty like that where would we be”.
Hargreaves left the room to a tumultuous reception from the awaiting hordes at the bar.
To a rousing chorus of
“We love you Hargreaves, we do..”
the balding Lothario was chaired head high down Cornhill to the Bank of England where he was installed as interim Director.
English: Photo of Bangers and mash, taken with a Casio EX-Z3. Copyright avlxyz. Mac’s Hotel, Melbourne, Australia. Deutsch: Bangers and mash – ein englisch-irisches Gericht aus Bratwürsten und Kartoffelbrei. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Other diners
included
Alan Higham, Henry Tapper, Terri-Ann Humphreys, David Taylor,Andrew Clotworthy, John Mather,Kath Oxenham, Jeremy Spencer,Alison Hollis, Clive Warlock,Paul Speight, Vivi Friedgut, Kim Goodall
The Play Pen voted on
“whether we were doing enough for people at retirement”.
The Pen voted 12 to 1 that “we weren’t”, the exception being John Mather who said that “he was”.
The next Play Pen London lunch will take place on Monday March 4th and will be accurately reported (for a change).
Related articles
- Seven in 10 private sector workers have no pension (telegraph.co.uk)
- FSA to investigate pensions annuity market amid fears (independent.co.uk)
- “Pensions aren’t dead yet!” January pension play pen lunch (henrytapper.com)
- Third of workers with no pensions unconvinced by auto-enrolment (thisismoney.co.uk)
- Vertical disintegration (henrytapper.com)
- Pensions dead by 2050 – taking the Michael? (henrytapper.com)
- FSA launches review of pension annuity market (guardian.co.uk)
- Inflation calculation move looms (bbc.co.uk)