Monthly Archives: March 2017

Why employers still need DC advisers – even with collective governance!

Posted on March 31, 2017 by

To my surprise and mortification, I have been contacted by a group of DC pension consultants complaining that a recent blog denigrates their work with smaller employers helping them get the most out of their workplace pensions. A big fat … Continue reading →

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How payroll can get pension-smart (without really trying!)

Posted on March 30, 2017 by

Pensions are important. They occupy our press, parliament and they occupy payroll! For better or worse we have wedded payroll to work and unless you are on a payroll, it is increasingly unlikely that you are earning much more than credits … Continue reading →

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A note on transfer values and “reverse transfer risk”.

Posted on March 30, 2017 by

James Greer of Old Mutual is reminding financial advisors that there’s a risk of advising clients to stay put and not take a DB Transfer Value. Our data suggests that only about 15% of transfer values applied for are taken … Continue reading →

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Family matters; Rio and bereavement.

Posted on March 29, 2017 by

  These past few days I have been on holiday with my son and brothers in Central Scotland. It’s been a time to play golf, walk the hills and get together in the evening – as adults. Last night we … Continue reading →

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Fancy finance or cheaper houses?

Posted on March 28, 2017 by

  I recently wrote a blog arguing that we could make more use of the  burgeoning financial education/wellbeing brigade to get youngsters saving for proper housing of their own. My thoughts focussed on finance but of course the Government want … Continue reading →

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Helping young staff to a home of their own

Posted on March 27, 2017 by

There’s increasing help in the workplace for those planning retirement or struggling with debt.  “Financial well-being” is this year’s “financial education” and the healthcare organisations have worked out that a solvent workforce is a workforce less likely to suffer from … Continue reading →

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Auto-protection from an autodidact (the joy of Johnson).

Posted on March 26, 2017 by

One of the joys of Michael Johnson’s 40 or so papers on pensions is that you never know what to expect next. Johnson deliberately sets himself apart from the industry to rail at it. He is at his best when … Continue reading →

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Moral hazard – Con Keating

Posted on March 25, 2017 by

This expression has been widely used in recent pension reports and consultations. It has wide currency in the world of insurance, and academic finance, where it is a term of art. Many of its recent uses are deeply problematic and … Continue reading →

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Should we be wary of cheap financial advice?

Posted on March 24, 2017 by

Robert Reid is a very professional IFA and  someone I like a lot. He represents IFAs and stands up for their interests in Money Marketing. His latest article argues that “cheap advice” especially cheap advice on pension transfers, is wrong. … Continue reading →

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Who’s kidding whom – on DC pension governance?

Posted on March 24, 2017 by

I was “privileged” to spend a whole day with one of the many employer groups we have in Britain.  This meeting brought together Directors (especially FDs and Heads of HR) of  Research and Technology organisations. When I say privileged – … Continue reading →

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