Monthly Archives: May 2018

Con Keating on pension guarantees (and CDC)

Posted on May 31, 2018 by

The absence of any guarantee supporting the promises of a CDC pension scheme makes the question of financial guarantees topical. The most important point to understand is that a guarantee does not ensure certainty of performance. It may be: “an … Continue reading →

Posted in pensions | 1 Comment

John Ralfe and his “supertweet”.

Posted on May 31, 2018 by

“A hit – a very palpable hit”, cries Osric as Hamlet lances Laertes. So reads this triumphal  supertweet to the Bondanistas. 1 A DB pension promise has the same economic characteristics as as long dated secured bond. 2 We know how to value … Continue reading →

Posted in pensions | 12 Comments

Are pensions too hard for employers?

Posted on May 30, 2018 by

The DWP are exhorting us to get to know our workplace pensions, but they might do better to start with the bosses who set them up! How many employers could answer these five simple questions? How do I transfer my … Continue reading →

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Who gave this windfall to the rich?

Posted on May 29, 2018 by

I’ve talked about the impact of higher transfer values on people living in Port Talbot and Redcar, and in the British Steel Pension Scheme. Around March last year, those transfer values in some cases doubled. Why? There were two reasons. … Continue reading →

Posted in pensions | 2 Comments

It’s not wealth but “wealth managers” that’s driving the surge in Pension Transfers.

Posted on May 28, 2018 by

This piece is in part a peace offering to Steve Lowe and Steve Groves, for my laying into the Just CETV kit, earlier this weekend (see above). I don’t buy the argument that two wrongs make a right, Just could … Continue reading →

Posted in pensions | 10 Comments

The Pensions Regulator’s tough new line.

Posted on May 27, 2018 by

In yesterday’s blog I berated insurers and consultants for promoting a culture of de-risking to the great dis-service of ordinary members of defined benefit schemes. Understandably , I have got some stick for this from insurers (and the odd pension … Continue reading →

Posted in pensions | 3 Comments

Just Wrong!

Posted on May 26, 2018 by

“Bloody” and “Furious”, the two adjectives that describe me this morning after reading this. ICYMI: Just Group develops new business to disrupt the individual defined benefit transfer market https://t.co/tXnGIiP6ld @WeareJust_PR @SpencePartners #fintech #innovation #trustees pic.twitter.com/HIjZgeNs2g — Stephen Lowe (@slowe1968) May … Continue reading →

Posted in pensions | 5 Comments

For Sue and 500 more Ark victims, the torment must end now.

Posted on May 25, 2018 by

  Those who saw Sue Flood give tell her story and the story of 500 other victims of the Ark pension scandal, will not forget it in a while. Sue and her husband have lost their savings, their mental health, … Continue reading →

Posted in ARK, pensions | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

Trapped! What if you’re in a failing master-trust?

Posted on May 24, 2018 by

  Duncan Buchanan’s articles in Pension Expert are always worth reading, and his latest blog in Pensions Expert is no exception. He looks at small master trusts and asks just what would happen if one decided to pack it in. He … Continue reading →

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

Roll out Transparency today!

Posted on May 24, 2018 by

  Today is a Transparency Task Force day and Andy Agethangelou and the transparent will be assembling at Pension Insurance Corporation from 9am. You can catch me on a CDC power panel at 4pm. I urge you to go- it … Continue reading →

Posted in pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment