Monthly Archives: February 2023

SMEs need advice on pensions – advisers need “VFM” to work.

Sarah Smart gave a pretty impressive presentation to a group of PLSA members this morning. Speaking from the PLSA, Smart – a former adviser and now Chair at the Pensions Regulator singled out advisers as key stakeholders in getting the  … Continue reading

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You can be over-connected

You cannot be too-well connected, but you can be over-connected – if you’re on Linked in. Last night someone became my 30,000th connection and I cannot now receive new connections without kicking someone out (one in – one out). The … Continue reading

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The wonderful visit to OZ – Jo Cumbo reports from a land down under.

Jo Cumbo is an Australian living in England who makes no bones about where her heart is! Been living abroad for two decades but the first glimpse of home soil after a very long flight gets me every time. 🇦🇺🇬🇧 … Continue reading

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Sarah Smart and TPR’s VFM dilemma

  This morning , Sarah Smart, Chair of the Pension Regulator, will be in conversation mode with the PLSA discussing how TPR will help deliver value for money in DC pensions. TPR last reported on this matter last May when … Continue reading

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Vanguard makes its opposition to adopting ESG clear – how will you react?

Vanguard is not an active fund manager in that it doesn’t take positions against the market consensus, as defined by whatever index it chooses to follow. It is an owner of physical assets within those indices and therefore has voting … Continue reading

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No Nico! VFM is a measure to help consumers – not actuaries!

This blog responds to Darren and Nico’s VFM podcast with Zoe Alexander of Nest and you can listen to that podcast from here. It’s well worth it. The blog divides into two, in the firs half I challenge Nico over … Continue reading

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“Boldness has genius, power and magic in it” – Rob Gardner’s bid to rebalance earth.

Last week I went to the Rebalance Earth Conference on Natural Capital. I couldn’t stay all day and missed the afternoon sessions but Rob Gardner has promised that we’ll be able to share recordings of the sessions so look forward … Continue reading

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MoneyHelper’s benefit finder service -a dashboard delivered!

I am really pleased to see this initiative If you’re struggling to make ends meet or you’ve had a change in circumstances and aren’t sure of the support you’re entitled to now, Money Helper’s benefits calculator can help. You only … Continue reading

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Ukraine has hardened its heart against Russia, we mustn’t harden our heart against Ukraine

The anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine has involved an outpouring of comment and speculation (and Rock for Ukraine). There seems one fact that give us hope. Ukraine has not acceded to aggression. As a consequence of that, Russia has … Continue reading

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How to get people to save more for their retirement (old-skool stuff)

I don’t often think I know more than the Institute of Fiscal Studies on a question about money, but this morning I’m pulling rank. I got sent a copy of Jonathan Cribb and Laurence’ O’Brien’s paper yesterday and was non-plussed. … Continue reading

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