Monthly Archives: July 2020

Is fear of new technology paralysing pension innovation?

Posted on July 21, 2020 by henry tapper

The cyber-threat at the macro-level Today Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee will publish its long awaited findings into the cyber-threat to this country posed by Russia. The threat will no doubt have come from a malign influence over political decision … Continue reading →

Posted in pensions | 2 Comments

#COVID-19 Actuaries on Deaths, Excess deaths and the Government’s use of statistics

Posted on July 20, 2020 by henry tapper

  For months the COVID-19 actuaries bit their lips, knowing that COVID-19 deaths were being under reported. It was in the pubic interest for them not to challenge Government. Now there appears to be a much smaller amount of over-reporting … Continue reading →

Posted in actuaries, coronavirus, pensions | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A CIPP initiative on workplace pensions

Posted on July 20, 2020 by henry tapper

The times call for a fresh and innovative approach to help staff facing an uncertain future. The prospect of reduced work prospects faces many of us, especially furloughed staff.  This article looks at an initiative taken by the CIPP to … Continue reading →

Posted in Payroll, pensions, Public sector pensions | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The Treasury looks at fundamental tax reform.

Posted on July 20, 2020 by henry tapper

The way we tax ourselves looks about to change. On Friday the Chartered Institute of Taxation , chaired by former tax minister Mel Stride introduced the Launch of Treasury Committee inquiry into tax reform after the pandemic – Tax after … Continue reading →

Posted in pensions | Leave a comment

A calm hand needed for this pension face off

Posted on July 19, 2020 by henry tapper

Mark Twain reported that reports of his death were exaggerated. A journalist had in fact mistaken his state of health for his brother’s (who was in a much worse way). The same could be said for the Open Defined Benefit … Continue reading →

Posted in advice gap, Big Government, pensions | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

A McCloud(ed) judgement where costs may be shared.

Posted on July 19, 2020 by henry tapper

On the face of it , the McCloud judgement looks like a civil service cock-up on a grand scale, costing the Government billions in what were thought “saved” revenues and compensating civil servants who already have gold plated pensions for … Continue reading →

Posted in actuaries, advice gap, pensions | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Should the tax-payer subsidise the cost of vertically integrated advice?

Posted on July 18, 2020 by henry tapper

  The cost of pensions tax-relief is likely to be a burning issue in the months ahead. The tax-payer is supposed to incentivise good behavior. Pre-funding retirement income leads to self-sufficiency and independence on younger generations in later life. That’s … Continue reading →

Posted in advice gap, age wage, dc pensions, pensions | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The 16th report of the Covid Actuaries (with a kind of magic)

Posted on July 18, 2020 by henry tapper

The Friday Report – Issue 16 By Matt Fletcher and Dan Ryan COVID-19 Actuaries Response Group – Learn. Share. Educate. Influence. Every week, more is written on COVID-19 than any individual could possibly read. Collectively, the COVID‑19 Actuaries Response Group … Continue reading →

Posted in pensions | Leave a comment

Are you or your parents missing out on pension credits?

Posted on July 17, 2020 by henry tapper

This article is important. We urge people to save for retirement but for many people retirement is already here and things are going to be tough as the economic impact of the pandemic hits us all. So it’s good to … Continue reading →

Posted in pensions | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A new hope

Posted on July 17, 2020 by henry tapper

Con Keating and Iain Clacher Amazon commenced trading in 1995. It has proved a remarkable success; its market capitalisation is now around $1.5 trillion. That year also marked the debut of the modern era of DB pensions regulation with the … Continue reading →

Posted in pensions | 13 Comments