Monthly Archives: December 2017
Financial Regulators aren’t carved out of stone – they need a merry Christmas too!
Financial Regulation seems a brutal business, impersonal and intimidating. Necessarily, a degree of formality is needed in one’s conduct on both sides. I would not feel comfortable at the FCA’s Christmas party nor they at mine. But that does not … Continue reading
“Mind the width – improve the quality” #Pensions must “include” properly!
When Guy Opperman became Pensions Minister , he had” financial inclusion” inserted into his title; now comes his challenge. According to Government statistics, there are 675,000 qualifying workers in the “savers rate” of tax, ( the tax band where we … Continue reading
Posted in NEST, pensions
Tagged David Gauke, Guy Opperman, inclusion, National Insurance, pensions, Social inclusion
3 Comments
A time for calm, cool heads and action.
Time to Choose extended to December 22nd This blog is for members of BSPS , their families and friends, who have yet to choose their options and need help. It outlines the large number of places you can go for … Continue reading
Posted in pensions
Tagged Al Rush, BSPS, Chive, pensions, Rich Caddy, Stefan Zait, Time to Choose
13 Comments
Same as it ever was ; for “Fowler”, read “Webb”
It was a shame Steve Webb wasn’t at last night’s excellent witness seminar on “Thatcher’s Pensions reforms”. He would have made an able replacement for Norman Fowler who has been in bed all week with a Lergi (get well … Continue reading
Why CETVs at BSPS have changed so much.
This letter explains why a former BSPS member claimed on BBC News last night that he had lost hundreds of thousands of pounds by timing his transfer request wrong; or- as he claimed – because he was badly advised over timing. The letter ends and … Continue reading
Posted in BSPS, Financial Conduct Authority, pensions
4 Comments
Commission – the charge that dare not speak its name.
I feel like someone walking to a destination with a blindfold on, I am getting information from my phone but it is intermittent and there are many obstacles that I stumble over as I walk along. Thankfully, there are people … Continue reading
Posted in BSPS, dc pensions, Financial Conduct Authority, pensions
Tagged BBC, Commission, FCA, IFA, pensions, Transparency
10 Comments
TATA GPP – an investable option for BSPS members with a CETV.
I’ve received the following note from Aviva with regards the TATA group personal pension which has replaced BSPS as the corporately sponsored pension arrangement going forward. Thanks for your note below re the query you have received from a BSPS … Continue reading
Posted in advice gap, de-risking, pensions, social media
Tagged Aviva, BSPS, CETV, GPP, tata
15 Comments
A method for the madness. Is the DWP Select Committee – pension’s best hope?
The diverse agenda of the DWP Select Committee might be considered madness. I am not going to write that their is method in this madness as it’s clear to me that we cannot properly consider freedoms, without looking at CDC for … Continue reading
Posted in drawdown, DWP, governance, Henry Tapper blog, pensions
Tagged Al Rush, CDC, Con Keating, DWP select committee, Frank Field, pensions
4 Comments
Con Keating address objections and misconceptions around CDC
Collective Defined Contribution schemes are back in the news, with a Parliamentary inquiry under way. This has provoked an outpouring of commentary. Unfortunately, much of this appears to be misinformed. It is well-known that I am an avid and vocal … Continue reading