Author Archives: henry tapper

About henry tapper

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

Good times for Royal London’s workplace GPP book?

On the face of it Royal London’s 13% increase in workplace assets looks good news Some are confused about whether without a master trust, Royal London can get to size. This is no longer a problem despite the glum look  … Continue reading

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AON why this DC/CDC hybrid mastertrust launched in 2028???

I’m sure I’m not  the first to be  bewildered by Aon delaying the launch of their workplace CDC plan till 2028. May I express my exasperation? I had hoped we would make people’s life with CDC but here is a … Continue reading

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As they approach guided retirement – for how much longer will master trusts de-risk?

I thought this a very interesting study of how far DC master trusts have come developing their investment strategies. Summary findings This analysis examines asset allocation across DC master trusts during the accumulation phase. Data reflects assets in 25 master … Continue reading

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US employers can’t tell if their DC plans are working- just like us!

  This is an extraordinary finding by WTW. It says a lot about the inability of  those paying into so called pensions and the “value for money” calculation! WTW’s work tells me that the great experiment in providing people with … Continue reading

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The happy story we are being told about L&G

Let me admit a little weariness with pension stories, this being the first week in August. It is time for insurers to release their numbers and for “non-stories” to make up for “no stories”. Yesterday we had L&G telling us … Continue reading

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Burnham’s vision for pensions and pensioners in need of social care

My reading of what has come out of analysis of Andy Burnham’s statements suggest that he would like, if he is to get the time, to reorder tax priorities so that those who own most of British property get taxed … Continue reading

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Andy Haldane’s “Field of Dreams” speech in full;- it could change funded pensions.

  Andy Haldane – Global Annual Conference Speech, BCC , June 25, 2026 Imagine you owned a farm, the most fertile of any farm on the planet. Seeds, once planted, sprouted vigorously in the soil suggesting a bountiful harvest to … Continue reading

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How one trade union is getting stuck into CDC

As you may have gathered from this blog, we have witnessed considerable interest in CDC from trade unions  and from employers who have been influenced by unions. A couple of weeks ago one union – Prospect – through its pension … Continue reading

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The Nick Cave Brighton show – all two and a half hours of it – thanks Simon.

It does not have the best sound quality but it improves after the first chaotic (but magnificent) “Ready for Love”. It is taken from the front row by the devoted Simon Sanders. It has the audience’s view but with the … Continue reading

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A library on UK CDC . Thank you John Mitchem

John Mitchem writes from New York to his worldwide audience This mammoth document is a library of articles about CDC and for those who like to read this blog, particularly helpful as in 29 pages it does not mention this … Continue reading

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