Monthly Archives: February 2016

Good (and bad) news on investment fee disclosure!

Posted on February 29, 2016 by

The FT reports that the Investment Association has stated “we can see a way to build an underlying system, a common template, that will provide data tailored in a way that is suitable to both retail and institutional investors” That’s … Continue reading →

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Worries grow about workplace pension choice

Posted on February 28, 2016 by

The Berkshire Farmer spoke on the BBC’s world tonight last week. He is not alone in finding himself helpless in trying to choose a workplace pension. I find myself conflicted in arguing the case for informed choice as I run … Continue reading →

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What will keep the “I” in the IGC?

Posted on February 28, 2016 by

  In April, the Independent Governance Committee’s (IGCs) set up by insurance companies to keep an independent eye on their (the insurance company’s) behaviour, will report. There has been some confusion about who they are reporting to, to me there is … Continue reading →

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176 costs and charges (and counting). Guest blog from Ralph Frank

Posted on February 27, 2016 by

The Transparency Task Force (“TTF”) is a grass-roots movement dedicated to encouraging greater transparency in financial services. Participants in the TTF, and its underlying Teams, are all volunteers doing so on their own time and initiative. There are currently six … Continue reading →

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Pensions – beware the Chancellor within!

Posted on February 27, 2016 by

George Osborne spoke  yesterday to the BBC in China warning that “storm clouds” over the global economy were holding Britain back and  “our own economy is not as big as we had hoped”. “We may need to undertake further reductions in spending … Continue reading →

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Not clueless but powerless

Posted on February 26, 2016 by

In one of the most bizarre episodes of my working life, I found myself hanging up my coat while agreeing with the Pension Regulator a redaction to yesterday’s blog. As I spoke , I bumped into the man I had … Continue reading →

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The BBC-all at sea-on workplace pensions

Posted on February 25, 2016 by

As you must be interested in pensions, it’s worth taking a couple of minutes this morning to listen to minutes 8-15 of Radio 4’s World tonight (downloadable as a podcast). It’s a well researched and well produced article with a … Continue reading →

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A man on a mission – a man with a vision

Posted on February 24, 2016 by

Nigel Wilson is becoming a hero of mine. The CEO of Legal &General was on Wake up to Money this morning (24th Feb) and I’m about to  download the podcast to listen to him again. I like the man’s common sense … Continue reading →

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There’s not much occupational about an occupational pension

Posted on February 23, 2016 by

The decision of the High Court to overturn the Pension Ombudsman’s ruling that Ms Hughes could take benefits into an occupational pension scheme set up expressly to invest in overseas property may have wider ramifications than outlined in my recent … Continue reading →

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Top 5 AE myths revealed – top blog from NOW pensions

Posted on February 22, 2016 by

Thanks to NOW Pensions for this healthy myth-buster – we’ll be spreading the word so no-one gets left behind This year up to 500,000 small firms will have to comply with the new auto enrolment legislation introducing workplace pensions for … Continue reading →

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