Monthly Archives: June 2014

“If you can’t beat em – eat em” (pt 3)

If you haven’t read previous posts – please click here And if you want to read the Guardian’s attack on British journalism’s blatant xenaphobia click here Of course we will want to demonise Mr Suarez And for most of us … Continue reading

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Business relies on transparency – it’s time platform managers come clean

General principles Buying low and selling higher is the basis of all commerce. Intelligent purchasers seek to cut out intermediaries to buy direct. Smart intermediaries use their financial muscle to bulk-purchase, getting a better price than a single purchaser can … Continue reading

Posted in Change, FSA, pensions, smelly | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“We are as concerned as we can afford to be”

The DWP has now presented the draft bill that will enable Defined Ambition pensions to be set up, probably from this time in 2016.  While lawyers pour over the clauses, it’s worth considering the responses the Government received to the ideas … Continue reading

Posted in David Pitt-Watson, dc pensions, defined ambition, defined aspiration, drawdown, pensions, Pensions Regulator, Public sector pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Auto-enrolment needs common data standards!

  At a recent meeting of the CIPP’s working group “The Friends of AE”, (FoAE) concern was expressed to Pensions Minister Steve Webb that without the introduction of a common data standards, the wheels might fall off auto-enrolment. According to … Continue reading

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I wanna tell you a story

Every picture tells a story, this blog is about storytelling. Some people don’t like stories, they think they’re tricky – like the photo. But good stories surprise you because they make you see things in a different way, they help … Continue reading

Posted in accountants, advice gap, alvin hall, life insurance, pensions, Personality, poetry | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

“Who’s on our side?”

  I’m having dinner with TV educationalist Alvin Hall, a man almost as well know for being attacked by ostriches as for his charismatic TV appearances. Looking through the list of other guests at the supper I reckon they represent … Continue reading

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Mind the gap – who’ll be supplying to auto-enrolment in years to come?

Introduction This article is a summary of a presentation given to the Friends of Automatic Enrolment on 19th June. The FAoE had been privileged to have Steve Webb present and engage fully with the audience. Unfortunately he just missed this … Continue reading

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Andrew Young – 65 not out – a pensions legend!

  Andrew Young is the Pension Regulator’s Strategy Director, he is the go to guy in UK pensions if you want to understand the implications of Government Policy. He has been a mentor to me since I first met him … Continue reading

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It was auto-enrolment that did for Hitler?

I’m not a big video man – who wants to spend 3 minutes of your working  day watching with the sound off – good news with this one is that it’s got sub-titles! The other good bit is that it … Continue reading

Posted in accountants, actuaries, advice gap, auto-enrolment, Payroll, pensions, workplace pensions | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A buyers guide to auto-enrolment software

Some initial thoughts Auto-enrolment software exists to automate the processes your company needs to establish to stage and maintain auto-enrolment. For most employers it is another payroll headache (along with RTI) that needs a purchased solution. Normally companies purchase on … Continue reading

Posted in accountants, advice gap, annuity, auto-enrolment, middleware, NEST, now, Payroll, pension playpen, pensions, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments