Category Archives: NEST

Is there a future for defined benefit pensions?

The TUC has published a working paper written by my colleague Hilary Salt entitled “the future of defined benefit pensions provision” which is a very good read. You can reach it here. The wags among you may consider that you could … Continue reading

Posted in dc pensions, de-risking, defined aspiration, Fiduciary Management, Financial Education, First Actuarial, NEST, pensions, Public sector pensions, Retirement, Trades Union Congress | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

More cobblers from investment experts on DC pensions

I am afraid I have to report yet more moronic thinking from the investment community showing their  disconnect with the ways and means of everyday folk. Example one is from Lyxor, who used to be called Societe Generale until they screwed … Continue reading

Posted in auto-enrolment, Bankers, club pension, Consolation, dc pensions, defined aspiration, happiness, Liability Driven Investment, mallowstreet, NEST, pension playpen, pensions, Personal Accounts, Public sector pensions, with-profits | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Why we need to say “NO” to pension guarantees!

On Monday the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries delivered a paper stating that it would be able to deliver a system of lock-in guarantees at a price of less than 1% pa of the fund that could be used by … Continue reading

Posted in actuaries, annuity, auto-enrolment, Bankers, club pension, corporate governance, customer service, David Pitt-Watson, dc pensions, defined aspiration, EU Solvency II, FSA, happiness, Liability Driven Investment, NEST, pension playpen, pensions, Personal Accounts, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

What do we mean by good?

Spending time in Liverpool this week has given me the chance of spending time with clients, fellow advisers and those who market the products our clients use. The NAPF Conference is a time when you can look at what you are doing , compare … Continue reading

Posted in actuaries, corporate governance, dc pensions, de-risking, napf, NEST, Payroll, pension playpen, pensions, Popcorn Pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

NAPF Conference Report (from our man not on the spot)

My attempt to create a one man fringe event at the NAPF was short-lived and I spent the majority of the past 48 hours ensconced in various coffee shops and bars listening to Conference Reports from playpen cronies. The feedback … Continue reading

Posted in auto-enrolment, dc pensions, de-risking, napf, NEST | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The public sector needs a low cost pension alternative

This blog is about public sector pensions and the problems that they will face with Auto-Enrolment. It will be of interest to people concerned with pension reform, fairness, inclusivity and with bringing DC up to the standards of DB. The question … Continue reading

Posted in auto-enrolment, doctors, Financial Education, mallowstreet, NEST, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

How will employers chose their pension plans?

As everyone should now know, employers are going to have to provide a pension plan and some  money to fund their staff’s retirement. The rules and guidance are complex but the idea is simple – “you’re in”. But “in” to what. … Continue reading

Posted in actuaries, annuity, auto-enrolment, dc pensions, Management, NEST, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Why I support Labour’s attack on pension charges

The reactions I’ve read to Ed Milliband‘s “all-out attack on pension charges” have been universally negative. They  range from Robert Burgon’s “open letter to Ed Milliband” condemning the lumping of good and bad together to the broadside from Otto Thorenson of the ABI (linked). All … Continue reading

Posted in annuity, auto-enrolment, Bankers, David Pitt-Watson, dc pensions, defined aspiration, leadership, NEST, pensions, Personal Accounts, Retail Distribution Review, Retirement | 7 Comments

Abusing the voice of the people – a call for better pensions

Evangelists of social media cite the wisdom of the crowd. But wisdom and gullibility are two sides of the same coin and  those who marvel at the capacity of groups to congregate around their chosen solutions, demonize their herd mentality when the crowd looks elsewhere. “Vox … Continue reading

Posted in annuity, auto-enrolment, Change, David Pitt-Watson, dc pensions, defined aspiration, Henry Tapper blog, leadership, NEST, pension playpen, pensions, Personal Accounts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Can pension saving really grow the economy?

Putting a stealth tax on an employer’s wage bill of 3% and frog-boiling millions to reduce their take home by up to 4% doesn’t fit comfortably with a growth strategy for the economy. Less money to spend. Many regard UK pension policy … Continue reading

Posted in auto-enrolment, dc pensions, de-risking, defined aspiration, happiness, Henry Tapper blog, NEST, Payroll, pension playpen, Popcorn Pensions, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments