Monthly Archives: September 2021

Pension administration – a tale of two cultures

This afternoon I’ll be chairing a session of a “strategic summit” on pensions that’s happening in the City of London .It’s good to be doing something live again and I hope to meet with more people I’ve missed.  London is … Continue reading

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Private markets – a jewel in the crown or fool’s gold?

A key aim for DC trustees should be to consider how to ‘further improve’ long term future net risk adjusted returns and ‘member outcomes’ rather than just cutting costs. Getting more for members! @GuyOpperman @DWP @TPRgovuk @TheFCA @ThePLSA @bankofengland @henryhtapper … Continue reading

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ONS finds those not wearing masks 50% more at risk from Covid

Thanks to the indefatigable John Roberts. Keep up the good work and be careful of that Zider! An interesting release by ONS today on the characteristics of people testing positive recently. One noteworthy finding is that those who don’t wear … Continue reading

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Taking back control of our retirement savings.

Pensions have long been seen to have an image problem. Ever since I started selling s226 policies in the early eighties I have heard them described as a rip-off. When you look behind that complaint you get to the frustration. … Continue reading

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A roadmap that would fundamentally change the way our money is invested

The publication of the Productive Finance Group’s A roadmap for increasing productive finance investment paves the way for Long Term Asset Funds to be integrated in the default investment strategies of our major workplace pensions. Clearly the Government has got … Continue reading

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Whatever happened to the portable personal pension?

  This is how the National Audit Office introduced their last report on regulating to protect consumers. That was in March 2019. UK households spend a total of around £140 billion a year in bills on water, energy and telecommunications, … Continue reading

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Can pensions impact for good? They’ve no choice but to.

Pension funds balk at No 10 appeal to fuel UK investment boom https://t.co/jTpJz8qNMU — Josephine Cumbo (@JosephineCumbo) September 27, 2021 Reading Jo Cumbo’s excellent article on the reaction of fund and pension scheme managers to Johnson and Sunak’s call for … Continue reading

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The politics of personal pensions and pension freedoms

I love it when a comment comes on my blog which is full on committed. Tim Simpson’s comment on yesterday’s blog about the inadequacy of Pension Wise and Government supported guidance in general, is interesting as it comes from someone … Continue reading

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Pension Wise is not on the consumer front line- it’s not even on the sideline.

  Let me explain why I think supporting small-time savers matters. It is not because I am a latter day Gladstone, wandering the streets of poverty looking to save lost souls from scammers, it’s because I’m disillusioned by the lack … Continue reading

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If you’re an Uber driver , you have a NOW pension.

I wondered whether the headline had  been better “if you’re an Uber driver, you now have a pension” but for industry readers, the news is that NOW at last have something to tell the world that isn’t “mea culpa”. I … Continue reading

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