Category Archives: accountants

Four ways to harvest what auto-enrolment has sown!

Posted on August 4, 2017 by

We have to think how we can best support the 1m employers who have workplace pensions. Here are some solutions we’re coming to. Continue reading →

Posted in accountants, auto-enrolment, NEST, now, pensions | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

From Denham to Sier – a 1% world!

Posted on August 3, 2017 by

  You know how sometimes a little fact gets stuck in your head for no apparent reason? Back in 1998, I was reading an article by the then Pensions Minister John Denham. He stated that if we could reduce the … Continue reading →

Posted in accountants, advice gap, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Is the University Superranuation Scheme suffering fantasy deficits?

Posted on July 31, 2017 by

First the big picture Universities aren’t going away, nor are the people who teach in them, administrate them and provide the infrastructure that keeps them going. Many of our universities have survived wars, plagues, great fires as well as many … Continue reading →

Posted in accountants, actuaries, advice gap, pensions, Public sector pensions | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

First Actuarial – “scaremongering on solvency is driving people to cash-out their DB pensions.”

Posted on July 28, 2017 by

  In a week when we learned pension freedom withdrawals hit a record £1.9bn, First Actuarial warns advisers’ exaggerated concerns about the ongoing viability of defined benefit (DB) schemes is contributing to the recent surge in people cashing out. A … Continue reading →

Posted in accountants, actuaries, advice gap, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Department of Workplace Procrastination?

Posted on July 4, 2017 by

  Keen to dispel the impression that the DWP does absolutely nothing with its time, its new Secretary of State , David Gauke has promised that the Government “will not shy away from taking  decisions on pensions“. This  statement was made … Continue reading →

Posted in accountants, Airlander, pensions | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

If you see bad advice – say something!

Posted on June 11, 2017 by

  I was very pleased to read Natalie Holt’s article in Money Marketing, we need a better way to deal with bad advice. It deals with public perceptions of financial advisers and is uncompromising. The reality of advice is lost … Continue reading →

Posted in accountants, actuaries, advice gap, pensions | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Tata puts pensions first

Posted on May 17, 2017 by

  Though the details of Tata’s offer to the members of the British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS) are only sketchy , it is clear that they are focussed on members getting “PPF+” on existing benefits and a defined benefit pension … Continue reading →

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We do not need another consultation on costs and charges.

Posted on January 31, 2017 by

A report in Professional Pensions that we are to get yet another consultation on costs and charges fill me with gloom. As the report points out, we have two consultations on the subject – in progress. They follow an exhaustive call … Continue reading →

Posted in accountants, actuaries, advice gap, auto-enrolment, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Famine or feast pensions”- demand advice is better spread.

Posted on January 17, 2017 by

Where you work not how you work determines your pension prospects. If you choose to work for a blue chip company or for the Government you can expect at worst a high contribution to a workplace pension and at best a … Continue reading →

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How can payroll bureaux profit from auto-enrolment?

Posted on January 15, 2017 by

I’ve recently been asked by the leading payroll trade publication to answer some questions. I’ve enjoyed thinking about them and have set out my answers below. I’m not a payroll manager and I don’t run a bureau – I’m not … Continue reading →

Posted in accountants, auto-enrolment, Payroll, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment