Monthly Archives: March 2015
What will the 2015 budget bring? Guest blog by Ralph Frank
The UK pensions industry, as well as its regulators and the Government, is still getting to grips with the consequences of the 2014 Budget. The changes set in motion by last year’s announcements will not have been fully implemented … Continue reading
Get behind Pension Wise
I am not saying this because I agree with everything that is going on, or even with everything that friends like Michelle Cracknell are saying, but because if we continue to talk Pension Wise down, we do it and the … Continue reading
Posted in pensions
Tagged Michelle Cracknell, Pension Freedoms, Pension Wise, runaway train
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Living the dream! Champions Day – Cheltenham 2015
At 8.30 this morning, a group of friends will embark a double decker bus for Cheltenham Racecourse, watch 7 races and return to London some 12 hours later. I am pleased to say, they have all paid £100 from their … Continue reading
An alarming gap in pension regulation
In this world, the best lack all conviction, while the worst are filled with a passionate intensity Continue reading
Posted in auto-enrolment, Pension Freedoms, pension playpen, pensions
Tagged auto enrolment, Business, corporate risk, DWP, employers, FCA, Financial services, Government, master trust, National Employment Savings Trust, NEST, pension, Pension new, pension playpen, Regulator, Retirement, Royal Assent, the Pensions Regualtor, Treasury, workplace Pensions
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Don’t underestimate SME’s hunger for investment know-how!
I am frustrated by the capitulation of many in the pension industry to the challenge faced by inducting 1.2m new employers into our funded pension culture. The Pension Apartheid practiced by the investment elite At a recent event, Joanne Segers, CEO … Continue reading
Posted in Australia, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Education, First Actuarial, Pension Freedoms, pension playpen, pensions, Pensions Regulator
Tagged Aviva, democracy, Fidelity, Investment, L&G, NEST, NOW, Pensions Trust, People's Pension, Scottish Widows, Smarter Pensions, Standard Life, Zurich
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Hats off to the Regulator – there is no shortcut to good practice.
When it comes to choosing your workplace pension – there is no shortcut to good practice Continue reading
Posted in pensions
Tagged Abacus, Alexander House, DWP, NEST, NOW, pension, pension playpen, Pension Regulator, Pensions Regulator, People's Pension, shortcut, the Regulator, TPR, workplace pension
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Ken Davy – you are a magnificent man – but we must move on!
I was entertained and amazed last night listening to Ken Davy talk about the likely impact of pension freedoms. I was saddened too, for Ken’s a man who represents the absolute integrity of advice in this country, and he … Continue reading
Do fees matter more than asset allocation?
I’m speaking at the Pension and Benefits UK Show on July 1st on whether fees matter more than value. I’m going to be arguing that, for consultants, fees matter more – because we can do something about them. But … Continue reading
Posted in pensions
Tagged Active, Asset allocation, Blog, costs, Fees, fund managers, Passive, PBUK. Pensions and Benefits
2 Comments
Is he mad in the Ed? -Another great guest blog from Ralph Frank
Ed Miliband’s recent proposal to cut the Lifetime Allowance (“LA”) for pension savings from £1.25 million to £1 million would deal a further blow to encouraging private pension provision, if implemented. The LA is, in my opinion, a flawed tool … Continue reading
Knowing the “money” in “value for money”.
At last we may get to know what we really pay for the management of our funds so we can work out it it’s worth it. Continue reading
Posted in accountants, actuaries, annuity, investment, pensions, Pensions Regulator, risk
Tagged ABI, Business, call for evidence, calue, charges, costs, Defined benefit pension plan, DWP, Employment, FCA, Financial services, fund management, Government, IA, Insurance, Transaction costs, transfers, Value for Money
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