Category Archives: EU Solvency II

To get better pensions we need to share risk

Posted on January 17, 2012 by henry tapper

Yesterday, Steve Webb announced he was  to review the level of protection that needed to be provided to private pensions in payment. His  intention is to help the solvency of defined benefit schemes which might need to reserve less for future guarantees. He is … Continue reading →

Posted in annuity, corporate governance, dc pensions, de-risking, EU Solvency II, Fiduciary Management, Management, NEST, pensions, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Who made that choice for you?

Posted on January 15, 2012 by henry tapper

Put the question “why are pensions guaranteed?” into google and you will not get an answer. I reckon it’s because no-one asks the question. Why is nobody asking the question? Is someone guaranteeing the value of your house? Is there … Continue reading →

Posted in annuity, auto-enrolment, corporate governance, customer service, EU Solvency II | Tagged , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Popcorn pensions

Posted on January 10, 2012 by henry tapper

I was sitting in Kentucky Fried Chicken with my friend Mr Peter Shellswell last week. We were eating the salad in case you are wondering. Popcorn chicken and gravy is my fave but we’d decided to be good. Continue reading →

Posted in auto-enrolment, corporate governance, customer service, dc pensions, de-risking, EU Solvency II, Fiduciary Management, mallowstreet, pension playpen, Retirement, social media | Tagged , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Sorting the pensions of the “squeezed middle”.

Posted on January 5, 2012 by henry tapper

There are three distinct streams among those old enough to work and young enough not to, Stream One is for  those who can look forward to retirement with a degree of confidence because their employer is guaranteeing it. They are primarily … Continue reading →

Posted in annuity, Bankers, corporate governance, dc pensions, de-risking, EU Solvency II, Fiduciary Management, FSA, Henry Tapper blog, Liability Driven Investment, Martin Lewis, NEST, pensions, Personal Accounts, Retail Distribution Review, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

What’s in store for UK pensions in 2012?

Posted on December 19, 2011 by henry tapper

Artificially depressed interest rates drive up DB deficits and depress annuities but the pressure on life companies and pension schemes to adopt Solvency II recedes as the UK  distances itself from Brussels. The price of the settlement on public sector pensions is … Continue reading →

Posted in annuity, corporate governance, dc pensions, EU Solvency II, NEST, OECD | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

What will Europe do to our pensions?

Posted on December 13, 2011 by henry tapper

Europe will, given half a chance, screw up our pensions. I don’t want that to happen. Well done Cameron for digging in your heels.

Continue reading →

Posted in EU Solvency II, mallowstreet | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

DC Risk sharing aux etats de Jersey

Posted on October 21, 2011 by henry tapper

  A year ago I wrote of the NAPF 2010 gig as our train departed Lime Street. I’m writing as my train pulls out of Piccadilly-Joanne may be aboard. I hope she’s not bought another first class ticket as this train has been … Continue reading →

Posted in annuity, EU Solvency II, mallowstreet, pension playpen, Retirement, Salford Quays, Treasury | Tagged , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Small businesses wanting to avoid small pensions

Posted on October 17, 2011 by henry tapper

In September we sent out 80,000 e-mails to companies in the UK with between 5 and 100 staff, the sort of companies that will be obliged to auto-enrol their staff  between 2014 and 2015 and are today obliged to offer their staff a … Continue reading →

Posted in annuity, corporate governance, dc pensions, EU Solvency II, Facebook, NEST, Retirement, social media, Treasury | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Insurers find comfort in Boardroom Benefits

Posted on October 9, 2011 by henry tapper

Earlier in the week I mentioned I was highly sceptical about corporate wrap platforms. They have become the holy grail for a magic circle of insurance companies whose business models are increasingly focusing on pandering to the boardrooms of fellow corporate … Continue reading →

Posted in corporate governance, dc pensions, de-risking, EU Solvency II, Martin Lewis, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

IFEs not IFAs

Posted on August 31, 2011 by henry tapper

If you’ve followed my posts over the past few days, you’ll l know I’ve referred to a debate between advisers, insurers, pension managers and trustees which started out discussing the ethics of incentivizing  enhanced transfer values and has moved toi discussing how and when advice … Continue reading →

Posted in annuity, corporate governance, dc pensions, de-risking, EU Solvency II, Liability Driven Investment, pensions, Retail Distribution Review, Retirement, Treasury | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments