Scottish teachers' pay increases, such as the recent multi-year agreement negotiated via the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) covering…
When only 8 to 15 mega-trusts dominate the entire defined contribution (DC) and LGPS landscape, peer-group risk may override manager…
This is clearly a serious story about institutional accountability, bankruptcy and the treatment of former employees. But, although the immediate…
Here's another way for a pension fund to get in the soup. https://bayourenaissanceman.blogspot.com/2026/09/the-catholic-clergy-sex-abuse-scandal.html
Monthly Archives: April 2026
Pensions are a larger part of our wealth (IFS). Pension wealth is higher still under CDC.
I’m not a great fan of the Institute of Fiscal Studies who have found it hard to understand pension as “wealth” . But this report has taken a step in the right direction In this IFS report, pensions hold a … Continue reading
1m lowly paid pension payers will get £70 PA from HMRC
It is a shame I am writing this in 2026 when the promise was made in a Government’s manifesto six years ago and enacted in 2024. The 1m workers who pay into pensions but get no tax relief pay into … Continue reading
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Tagged amomaly, auto-enrolment, Net Pay, Pensions, RAS, relief at source
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Why the government’s New Towns strategy is likely to fail
Published on 8 April 2026 by Thomas Aubrey in Place & public policy As the UK government advances its New Towns agenda, Thomas Aubrey argues that current funding plans are ill-equipped to deliver infrastructure at scale, and makes the case … Continue reading
Schemes urged to integrate UK social bonds within default strategies
Columbia Threadneedle Investments says move would align objectives with measurable social impact First published in Professional Pensions here. Pension schemes should integrate UK social bonds within default strategies, Columbia Threadneedle Investments (CTI) says. CTI suggested pension funds, including defined contribution … Continue reading
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Tom McPhail’s narrow and tough path to a retirement income
Tom’s excellent session on Tuesday 7th April showed that guided paths to retirement income will be tough and difficult! It was at a Pension PlayPen coffee morning. Tom’s question session splits into roughly two parts. In the first part we … Continue reading
Rory Sutherland- why can’t we sell contributing to pensions better?
Why can’t we sell our pension contribution story better? I can watch the wonderful discussion between Rory and Pensions UK and his subsequent speech on the final day of the Investment Conference last month. Unfortunately you can’t unless you have … Continue reading
We need better from FOS than this
A victim of the lack of action from FOS is Gavin H. Here he is on his experience Mercilessly mocking the Financial Ombudsman Service, the BBCs ‘The Naked Week’ took the view that if you didn’t laugh you’d cry. It’s … Continue reading
DB pensions may need a “Safeguard” to release their surplus
I may be thought of as jumping horses in the midst of the race. This idea of Punter Southall’s was an idea I was promoting with Pension Superfund for some years. The Pension Superfund has run its course but … Continue reading
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“De-risking isn’t always prudent” – says everyone
We’re being scared off doing the right thing in the name of “prudence“. A stronger UK investment culture relied on consumer confidence built on clear and balanced information about rewards and risks, Sarah Pritchard of the FCA said today. Asset … Continue reading
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If you’re a pre-97 pensioner – there’s a shirt for you to wear
Here it is – what colour suits you best? No offence to you offenders; you have no shame so won’t worry if your pensioners wear your crime close to their hearts!
Except they’re not saving into a pension, Minister unless we convert all those pots to CDC and give them what…