Monthly Archives: February 2018

The train now arriving is not stopping at your platform.

Posted on February 28, 2018 by henry tapper

  Hugh Nolan, pensions expert, tells us  I am absolutely convinced that the time for CDC has come. Sadly I suspect it has gone again already. Students of Einstein’s theory of relativity will have learned a nuance, the train is … Continue reading →

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A tale of two cities – ABI and #TUCpensions

Posted on February 28, 2018 by henry tapper

  It was a straight choice. Pay £500 + VAT and hear the Treasury talk about financial services in Bishopsgate or Pay £0 + VAT and hear the DWP talk about pensions. It wasn’t a hard one. Guy Opperman , … Continue reading →

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No field of dreams…

Posted on February 27, 2018 by henry tapper

    This is an article that first  appeared in Professional Pensions and is produced with permission from Con Keating. I was a little disappointed to see PP’s uber-editor Jon Stapleton original downbeat introduction! Con Keating says the Royal Mail pension … Continue reading →

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How do I rate my various pensions?

Posted on February 27, 2018 by henry tapper

Following the publication of yesterday’s Guidance from the DWP on “DC pension” disclosures, this article asks “have we any framework for answering the question in the title?”. The conclusion is “not yet”, thought the disclosure guidance takes us another step … Continue reading →

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The DWP sticks to its guns on disclosure

Posted on February 26, 2018 by henry tapper

Disclosure of costs, charges and investments in DC occupational pensions Government Response The DWP have fulfilled on their promise to provide a disclosure framework for occupational  DC pension schemes. From April 2019, anyone in a DC workplace pension will be … Continue reading →

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HMRC’s pension taxation; the Scottish question.

Posted on February 26, 2018 by henry tapper

The HMRC’s position on pension taxation reached new heights of barminess last week, with its decision to let the new “19% Scottish taxpayers” receive 20% relief at source. This is Apparantly one of those problems that gets put in the too … Continue reading →

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“Made in Westminster” – Sean Wallis’ technical analysis of the USS “deficit”.

Posted on February 25, 2018 by henry tapper

  Please press this link to understand the USS crisis in a new light.  Made in Westminster – Sean Wallis I don’t often re-blog; but this piece of work is so comprehensive , I think it should stand on its … Continue reading →

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Standard Phoenixed.

Posted on February 25, 2018 by henry tapper

There are few examples, since the demise of Equitable Life, quite so ignominious, as the end to Standard Life. Standard Life Assurance Limited is being sold to Phoenix Life for just £3.2bn , part of which will be paid to … Continue reading →

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Malcolm Small

Posted on February 24, 2018 by henry tapper

William Robbins,  (a friend to Malcolm) has published this piece on the news of his death. I wish his family and his friends well and I hope that Malcolm’s spirit will remain with us, though he himself is gone. Otto Thoresen  … Continue reading →

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UUK – you cannot dictate the terms on which you break your promises.

Posted on February 24, 2018 by henry tapper

“Pension promises” are difficult. Lawyers tell me that the members of the University Superannuation Scheme (USS) do not have a contractual right to it. It could be argued that cutting off the oxygen of future accrual (as UUK are threatening … Continue reading →

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