Category Archives: corporate governance

Unexpected risks – people just don’t get pensions (education).

We’re all aware that investing in the stockmarket is a “risky” business, it’s easy to understand how the sharp falls in stock markets impact on your savings and as stock market falls are the staple of media reporting, it’s not surprising that … Continue reading

Posted in annuity, Bankers, corporate governance, customer service, dc pensions, de-risking, Fiduciary Management, FSA, NEST, pension playpen, pensions, Retail Distribution Review, Retirement, Treasury | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

When someone takes you over – stealing your e-mail identity

At 7.50 yesterday I logged onto my Gmail account in Leeds  to find a message saying I’d changed my password twenty minutes before. Twenty minutes later I got a call from a friend in Australia that I’d asked him for money to … Continue reading

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Beyond belief – investment philospohies in the DC world

Investment Philosophies are what Asset Managers use to justify fees- Investment Beliefs are how trustees justify paying them. Continue reading

Posted in annuity, corporate governance, customer service, dc pensions, de-risking, NEST, pension playpen, pensions, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

He’s not a politician – he’s just a very naughty boy

Clarkson is not a politician, he is an obnoxious controversialist trying to be a comedian Continue reading

Posted in Church of England, corporate governance, jeremy clarkson, Occupy London, OECD, pension playpen, social media, Treasury | 2 Comments

A necessary strike

If there’s one area of consensus among the politicians this morning, it’s that the national pensions strike called for today (30th November) is unnecessary and something this country can ill afford. I disagree – this is a necessary strike, not … Continue reading

Posted in annuity, corporate governance, dc pensions, Liberal Democrats, NEST, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Why pay for advice? Take the poll!

[polldaddy poll=5703072] This is a question that troubles me – not surprising as I’m a pensions adviser who reckons his job is to get people to the point when they can manage their pension affairs by themselves. If advisory self sufficiency is … Continue reading

Posted in corporate governance, dc pensions, NEST, pension playpen, pensions, Retail Distribution Review, Retirement, social media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Meaningless choice

“choices should only be offered where they are meaningful, timely and can be taken in the full understanding of both up and downside”.
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Posted in annuity, corporate governance, customer service, de-risking, Fiduciary Management, Liability Driven Investment, NEST, Retail Distribution Review, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The man from Yamaichi said no

Sometime in 1993 I was advising a bunch of traders at Yamaichi Securities a now defunct Japanese trading house in the City. The Japanese equity markets were in a tailspin (from which they have not recovered) but the markets they were trading … Continue reading

Posted in Bankers, corporate governance, Fiduciary Management, NEST, pension playpen, pensions, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Fair pensions at work.

How bosses decide to be paid is not just up to them. The shareholders, those lending money to the company and – not least – the rest of the workforce have a keen interest in making sure the company’s profits … Continue reading

Posted in corporate governance, dc pensions, Occupy London, OECD, pension playpen, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sacred cows at the abattoir

In her 45 minute talk, Debora led us to an abattoir of sacred cows where we saw strung up on meat hooks our most cherished hopes. Continue reading

Posted in annuity, corporate governance, customer service, dc pensions, Fiduciary Management, NEST, OECD, pension playpen, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments