Monthly Archives: July 2026

Can CDC Fix the Income Retirement Gap? Church of England’s John Ball says it can.

Posted on July 16, 2026 by henry tapper

It’s interesting to hear from John Ball, the CEO of the Church of England Pensions Board I have been hearing over the past few years about the Church’s intention to launch a CDC plan on a non-commercial basis. John mentions … Continue reading →

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Will DC ever have a period of market “certainty”?

Posted on July 16, 2026 by henry tapper

Another group of worthy souls worry about the market uncertainty that DC schemes find themselves in (report here from Corporate Adviser). Could I throw a spanner in the wheels and suggest that what those in DC schemes want is some … Continue reading →

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USS, its surplus, its increases and its DC scheme

Posted on July 16, 2026 by henry tapper

It was only 8 years ago that the employer view was that USS could not stay open as it was too great a debt upon employers paying into it. There was a strike, an effort was made and despite not … Continue reading →

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Listening up or talking down; what do you want from the Pensions Commission?

Posted on July 16, 2026 by henry tapper

Richard points what must matter to the Pension Commission. The voices of ordinary people, many of whom suffering from fear of the future, some of whom suffering from deprivation today. Making what we have coming in , pay the bills … Continue reading →

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Let’s not pretend we were worth a place in the final

Posted on July 16, 2026 by henry tapper

We will be waking up this morning as the French woke up yesterday morning, wondering what happened to our hopes. I am old enough to remember winning a world cup final but also a lifetime of falling short. I do … Continue reading →

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Fresh Alternative Investment Fund Policy

Posted on July 15, 2026 by henry tapper

Draft SI and Policy note Draft legislation to reform the regulatory framework for Alternative Investment Fund managers, streamlining the regulation to support growth and tailoring for UK markets. From: HM Treasury Published 14 July 2026 Documents The Alternative Investment Fund … Continue reading →

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The global move to “home investment” for pensions

Posted on July 15, 2026 by henry tapper

Two news stories in the Financial Times this morning touch on the ongoing struggle to get UK pension funds to invest at home. It’s not just here which has problems holding on to its capital- try Japan! Thanks to Alan … Continue reading →

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7/10 for the new DB pension timeline

Posted on July 15, 2026 by henry tapper

To be frank, this is a disappointing timeline for Superfunds that will mean that the DWP regulations and TPR code will not come into force till well over ten years that superfunds were announced by  the then Pensions Minister Guy … Continue reading →

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Film of a session with Tom McPhail, Jo Cumbo and an engaged audience.

Posted on July 15, 2026 by henry tapper

In video we get Jo Cumbo and Tom McPhail Yesterday’s session of the Pension PlayPen followed a conversation between Will Hutton and Ashok Gupta that had explored another way of thinking about pensions. Both views are valid and both got … Continue reading →

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Risk Transfer in decline as Pension Schemes find “risk” is “growth”.

Posted on July 15, 2026 by henry tapper

The numbers predicted by Standard Life for insurers taking on DB assets and liabilities are well down on estimates at the beginning of this year. Trustees are seeing risk as growth and questioning further de-risking. There will come a time … Continue reading →

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