Author Archives: henry tapper

About henry tapper

Founder of the Pension PlayPen,, partner of Stella, father of Olly . I am the Pension Plowman

Germany’s important planned pension reform

The FT reckons that what has been  put forward in Germany is an ambitious move that could have positive Europe-wide implications It must be important for their “editorial board” to put their heads together to consider it. How it will … Continue reading

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Things can only get better: for pensions – and for Britain too!

  Over the weekend, I have had a number of conversations with friends who find the proposition from Andy Haldane that this Government incentivises “effective investment” into the UK with home-bias taxation. I know that we have not heard the … Continue reading

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Aussie pensions find problems providing us with housing

After fire safety regulations in Britain were tightened following the 2017 blaze in Grenfell Tower, west London, Get Living had to set aside £337.5mn to pay for fire safety remediation works at the East Village. “The developers[the ODA] got the … Continue reading

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The Longevity Dividend – The Business Case for Linking Health and Wealth

I was going to comment on this article, but I really have nothing to say but “thank you”. Graham Pearce says he’s after   “Breaking down the silos between health and wealth to unlock the opportunities of the Longevity Economy”. Graham … Continue reading

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Annuities as tax-avoidance for the rich

Standard Life have prompted Alan Livesy to comment on the rise and rise of annuities as a place to invest for the rich. This of course is not a strategic change for the country, it is a tactical move from … Continue reading

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Haldane’s Field of Dreams needs large pension funds to pay for entry.

Pensions Oldie runs a small(ish) DB scheme. He will not go on much anonymity if he names those act for him! But here is his response which is either an argument for consolidation of a cry of pain from someone … Continue reading

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How did we make it through last week in London?

Last week was awkward for many of us. I found myself back on a bike (to the disgust of those who’d cared for me in hospital when I got knocked off nearly two years again). But after being told “no … Continue reading

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You think the USA’s a good place to grow old- the Wall Street Journal disagrees.

Sometimes we forget about how Europe in general and Britain in particular , has unity within its boundaries. The United States of America don’t look too united when it comes to delivering retirement income and healthcare to their citizens. Here … Continue reading

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From Bell to Haldane isn’t very far. Pension investment is under scrutiny.

Someone asked me on Linked in if I knew of a book to learn about pensions. I suggested “Great Britain? How We Get our Future Back” by Torsten Bell. It is not about technical aspects of pensions but a quick … Continue reading

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Stuart Kirk reckons “summer holidays are the number one enemy of retirement”.

In the FT I give money to every beggar and homeless person I see. The reality is they will enjoy the booze and drugs my money can buy more than I will at my age. Not that I gave a … Continue reading

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