Monthly Archives: March 2014

Who will be cleaning out the stables in the next two years?

  There are more than 10,000 employers who are running saving schemes for their staff  as qualifying workplace pensions. The introduction of minimum standards for these schemes in “Better workplace pensions, further measures for savers“, begs the question – who is going … Continue reading

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Is CDC dead? – not according to Kevin Wesbroom in this great new post!

Is CDC Dead after the Budget, in the light on newly offered flexibilities? Most certainly not! The Budget stops the “requirement” to purchase an annuity. It has not been a requirement for a long time, but it has been the … Continue reading

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“Better workplace pensions – further measures for savers”

Recognise the title? It’s what the DWP chose to call their Command Paper on charges. This paper is not a justification for a charge cap, it’s a new framework for DC pension governance. It’s gone un-noticed but only one chapter … Continue reading

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Give a straight red to active member discounts

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9 days that shook the (pension) world.

  It began with the budget and ended with an FCA probe on Zombie funds. On the way we have had an 111 page paper that provides an ongoing framework for pension governance , bans pension commission and caps provider … Continue reading

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We have scotch’d the snake not killed it – three years to sort out hidden charges

  We have scotch’d the snake, not kill’d it: She’ll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice Remains in danger of her former tooth. Macbeth Act 3 Scene 2   Of all the vested interest groups, the fund managers … Continue reading

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Annuity reform- payroll needs to be in the front seat!

Yesterday I wrote about the positives of the proposed abolition of compulsory annuitisation for the life insurers active in the UK pensions market. Today I want to share thoughts on payroll, who are always the last to be consulted and the … Continue reading

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Why we expect insurers to bounce back stronger (from these reforms)

  I’ve just read yesterday’s press release from PWC’s Jonathan Howe commenting on the pension reform announced in this year’s budget. “There is no doubt that the changes present very significant challenges to life insurers with a heavy reliance on annuity business, … Continue reading

Posted in advice gap, auto-enrolment, CDC, Financial Education, First Actuarial, Payroll, pension playpen, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Cash and Carry

  My Mum and Dad used to buy the ice-cream and cakes for the Methodist Fete at the cash and carry in Poole. They used to go down each summer in the Methodist Minibus and they would take me and … Continue reading

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Think first – sell later

Think first – sell later- a dictum to be followed in the next 12 months Continue reading

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