Monthly Archives: April 2016

A “tax on a tax” – VAT on auto-enrolment bills

The Government is encouraging us to think of auto-enrolment for micros as an extension of the success story it has been for larger employers. But things are very different for smaller employers – especially when it comes to tax. Many … Continue reading

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To understand value, get a grip on price

Workplace pensions are not priced as they seem. When an employer chooses a workplace pension, he/she sees member borne charges and employer charges. The employer charges are paid by the employer as fees (anything from £0 -£1200 pa, member borne … Continue reading

Posted in IGC, investment, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

IGCs – a final reckoning

Here is a summary of the IGC reports analysed on this blog. If you want to read my assessments in detail, please use the search engine. I have segmented the blogs as you can see. It may be unfair to … Continue reading

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I like Shakespeare- naturally

  It’s Shakespeare’s 400th deathday. Shakespeare has been my touchstone since I read Macbeth for (what was then) O level. I think I have read every play once and seen all but two of the plays he definitely wrote. My … Continue reading

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(Workplace) Isa ain’t gonna wash for a week!

  A radical idea Michael Johnson has published his proposal for a workplace ISA, Michael has explained this to me before and has explained his proposals publicly to the DWP Select Committee. The proposal is not just to include an ISA … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, auto-enrolment, DWP, Payroll, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Upstairs Downstairs RIP -today’s domestic employment market has moved on.

As we grow more affluent – British families are outsourcing many of their domestic duties Many of the employers who will be staging auto-enrolment by the end of decade have no idea they have any duties to provide pensions. They … Continue reading

Posted in auto-enrolment, Payroll, pension playpen, pensions, Pensions Regulator | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Those red red robins go rob-rob-robbing along

Swindon Town (STFC) – the Robins – are now to be called the Robings after attempting  to rob their own staff of pension contributions. Swindon Town Football Club made good £13,600 in pension contributions it owed staff nearly 15 months after it … Continue reading

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Transparency and its task force

If the concept of a Transparency task force conjures up a vision of covert operations and the Night Manager, you wouldn’t be far off the mark. At times during yesterday’s day-long meeting I sensed the competing forces of the Global … Continue reading

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How IGCs help employers (and their advisers)

  If you read the terms of reference or Chair reports of the IGCs (and GAAs) , it’s the “member” on whom the work is focussed and for whom the reports are written. “Member” is short-hand for policy holder as in … Continue reading

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Lisa and Wisa – bosum buddies or a pair of boobs?

Reactions  to Michael Johnson’s performance in front of the Work and Pensions Select Committee polarise between the enthusiastic (Michael Johnson) and the derisory (the pension establishment). In between are those on the Select Committee such as Richard Graham MP who … Continue reading

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