Monthly Archives: May 2018

Insurers may pay a high price for their technology lag.

Posted on May 16, 2018 by henry tapper

A few years ago, I invented the phrase “portals for show, platforms for dough”. I thought it very catchy, but it didn’t catch on- no-one apart from me has ever used it. Sometimes it takes a bit of time for … Continue reading →

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Aviva (unlike tPR) get it right on transfers.

Posted on May 15, 2018 by henry tapper

    Well done Andy Briggs for saying what a responsible life company CEO should say . “Aviva backs ban on transfer advice charges“. Let’s be clear Aviva are not calling for a ban on defined benefit transfers, they are … Continue reading →

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Who owns “value for money”?

Posted on May 15, 2018 by henry tapper

  News from the stalwart Bob Ward that the FCA has dropped the term “value for money” came as a bombshell to participants in yesterday’s Pension Play Pen lunch. Since it’s about the only term left in the financial services … Continue reading →

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So how do we “get to know our workplace pension”?

Posted on May 14, 2018 by henry tapper

This article is directed at the 1,000,000 small employers who have auto-enrolment duties and now participate in workplace pensions. The Department of Work and Pensions is urging your staff to “get to know their workplace pension”. Previous attempts have characterised … Continue reading →

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Is there a “true and fair” way to value advice?

Posted on May 13, 2018 by henry tapper

  Yesterday , I wrote a blog about “ownership” and how we cede ownership of our retirement savings – often to ill-effect. You can read that blog here. This follows up on that thinking and looks at a specific issue … Continue reading →

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Do we really own the money in our pension?

Posted on May 12, 2018 by henry tapper

  I’ve been writing all week about owning things;- houses, cars – all kind of “things”. My friend Derek Benstead wrote to tell me “My son sold his bikes, guitars etc. He sees no need to own more than he … Continue reading →

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Why we will always need a charge cap on workplace pensions.

Posted on May 11, 2018 by henry tapper

    Tony Filbin has commented feelingly to comments made by Jonathan Parker of Redington, suggesting the charge cap “hinders value for money“. People with short memories and/or lack of experience misunderstand the cost drivers of corporate pension providers. Prior … Continue reading →

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RBS remains a national disgrace. It will reach a “milestone” when it shows itself sorry.

Posted on May 10, 2018 by henry tapper

There has been some good banter on linked off the back of my blog on hand-outs to kids. The Resolution Foundation’s proposals to up taxes for those working longer and hand-out a tidy wedge to kids (to get them owning … Continue reading →

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CDC – with-profits in disguise?

Posted on May 9, 2018 by henry tapper

Michael Johnson, who I’ve a lot of time for, has asked me two questions. Why is it not possible to provide the attributes of a CDC scheme through a With Profits fund, set in the context of an occupational scheme … Continue reading →

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Hey Willetts, leave those kids alone

Posted on May 8, 2018 by henry tapper

The Resolution Foundation have today published a paper which has as its central thesis A policy shift is needed to mitigate risks and promote asset accumulation for all It calls on Government to intervene to make society fairer, at least … Continue reading →

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