Category Archives: Change
20 questions we need to answer to make CDC mass-market
This is the first in a series of blogs which will address some of the questions being asked about CDC schemes. The 20 questions in this blog have been collated and addressed by Con Keating in the hope that we … Continue reading
The impact of banning contingent charging for pension transfers
The end of an era After over three years of mounting pressure, the FCA yesterday announced it would be banning the practice of contingent charging for work on Defined Benefit transfers from October 1st. Although some pipeline cases will conclude … Continue reading
Why planning for “care” is everyone’s business
Whether we are carers or ‘cared for’, we are likely to be involved in caring in the future. Of course the pandemic has highlighted the under-funding of residential care homes and the lack of support given to many home carers, … Continue reading
“Would you pay a social care premium?”
This was the question Radio Five Live’s Wake up to Money asked its audience this Monday morning. 2.5% off wages for the prospect of insurance against things going really wrong with your health in later life? The idea is being trailed … Continue reading
“Probing” IFAs is not enough; we need simpler more transparent transfers.
Allegations of “mis-selling” against IFAs are premature and unsubstantiated. My eye was caught last night by a linked in post by Andrew Warwick-Thompson, formerly of the Pensions Regulator. Here we go again. The personal pensions miss-selling scandal all over … Continue reading
“A decision to take a transfer cannot be reversed and should not be rushed”
This blog is mainly written for deferred members of the British Steel Pension Scheme, but many other people may find it interesting. There’s no doubt that what is going on in Tata-land, will go on with other employers who feel … Continue reading
Common sense needed on transfers
Whether you’re moving house or moving money, the process is fraught. We are no closer to pots following member than when the “portable personal pension” was established in 1987. The friction involved in moving money from scheme to scheme, fund … Continue reading
Care or hubris? – How Tesco got in such a pensions mess.
Every little helps? The right old mess that Tesco has found itself in , is blamed partially on its mishandling of its pension strategy. How can an organisation with the motto “every little counts” have such a large pension deficit? … Continue reading
Probably the worst flagship tax ever?
George Osborne says his proposed tax break for high value homes is about “values”, it is no such thing. This policy is about votes. What is going on with the conservatives on tax? They have become obsessed with the “retail … Continue reading
Magic beans and “negative capability”
Negative capability describes the capacity of human beings to transcend and revise their contexts. If we dismiss it as “magic beans” we are committed to repeating the mistakes of the past – and- as we all know – that way is madness. Continue reading