Monthly Archives: December 2016

Five moral reasons I didn’t take my DB transfer.

Posted on December 31, 2016 by

Jo Cumbo (my journalist of the year) has finished 2016 with a fascinating article on what (her sub editor?) describes as “a stampede to cash in gold-plated final salary schemes“. I felt angry – a little bit “dirt” when I’d … Continue reading →

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How we’re responding to the FCA’s Asset Market Study

Posted on December 30, 2016 by

Pension PlayPen response to the FCA Asset Management Market Study Interim Report (MS15/2.2) This response focusses on “proposed remedies” and how to make them effective. The aim of Pension PlayPen is to restore confidence in pensions, we see public confidence … Continue reading →

Posted in FCA, pensions | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Let loose the dogs of law!

Posted on December 30, 2016 by

In this article, I argue that until those who manage funds and assets are held responsible to the end consumer we will not see effective enforcement of reforms. The central thrust of the FCA’s Asset Management Market Study (interim) is … Continue reading →

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Self sufficiency – another idiocy! (Con Keating)

Posted on December 29, 2016 by

  The idea that DB pension schemes should be self-sufficient, funded to such a level that they are capable of paying all pensions when due from their own resources is now rather popular. It is also completely idiotic, as the … Continue reading →

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Doing something useful with our money

Posted on December 28, 2016 by

Pension Funds like bonds, they provide a regular income stream and some bonds pay income for twenty years or more, a bit like lending money as a mortgage. Which begs the question “why don’t pension funds lend money as mortgages?”. … Continue reading →

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Fundamental concern with pension regulation.

Posted on December 28, 2016 by

Con Keating on the political economy of UK pension scheme regulation John Woods’ paper “The political economy of UK pension scheme regulation” should be read closely, and repeatedly in both the FCA and the DWP, and used to inform their … Continue reading →

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Christmas cruel – the truth behind the Carol

Posted on December 28, 2016 by

It’s great to see an economist looking at life through a historical and economic lens. I hadn’t come across the “conversable economist”, Tim Taylor (nothing to do with the beer) before. Con pointed him my way and – in particular – … Continue reading →

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The peril of pensions (a quiet word in payroll’s ear).

Posted on December 27, 2016 by

Anyone who manages payroll, whether in-house or as an outsourcer, will by now have discovered the perils of auto-enrolment. This article will not rehearse the process issues (you’ll be relieved to know). But with auto-enrolment come workplace pensions. Currently the majority … Continue reading →

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Stocks as good as bonds – says top prof!

Posted on December 26, 2016 by

  Top prof Mike Otsuka has had enough of his mega pension fund’s investment strategy. In this post he hits out at the USS and calls for members to join him. His article references John Woods’ neglected paper that debunks … Continue reading →

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Property (and who owns it)

Posted on December 26, 2016 by

Something out of nothing Two distantly related matter are troubling me this morning. The first is the ownership of intellectual property and the second the ownership of a shower cubicle. Let me talk about the shower cubicle first. I was … Continue reading →

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