Category Archives: pensions

So you want to pay your own pension costs do you?

Posted on September 25, 2017 by

A new twist to the Pension Transfer Debate has been introduced by Willis Towers Watson (WTW) at a seminar last Tuesday at their London offices. At the event, consultants reported a ripple effect caused by the surge in members transferring out. WTW … Continue reading →

Posted in pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

AA and LTA – a small price for the rich to pay.

Posted on September 24, 2017 by

  The Telegraph have unearthed some research that suggests that the average extra tax paid by the pension super-rich is £46,332. HMRC’s figures show that the total amount of tax paid by people whose pension savings rise above the lifetime … Continue reading →

Posted in pensions | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

I wonder about schools rugby.

Posted on September 24, 2017 by

As I wondered around my old school – Bryanston – I felt nostalgia for the late 70s (when I was a pupil), wonder for the educational business I was being shown and fright at the conclusions I was drawing with … Continue reading →

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

Merryn is right, we should expect more from workplace pensions.

Posted on September 23, 2017 by

This blog is a sharp rap across the knuckles to the providers of workplace pensions whose “member propositions” are woeful. Coward that I am, I have to ride shotgun on the coach and horses driven by Merryn Somerset-Webb in the … Continue reading →

Posted in pensions | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Over 55 and still paying commission on your pension?!*!

Posted on September 22, 2017 by

It may surprise you, but I am still paying commission to Allied Dunbar on a pension I took out in 1986 and stopped paying into in 1989. That commission works out as a 3.5% pa charge on the units I … Continue reading →

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

Helping older people with money

Posted on September 22, 2017 by

  I’m pleased to see the FCA publishing a paper on the particular problems older people  have with financial services, I haven’t read it all , only the summary (which I can summarise as the paper does)! The summary rightly … Continue reading →

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

A battle won – not yet the war; FCA demands cost disclosure.

Posted on September 21, 2017 by

    I get worried by premature announcements of victory. The battle to get proper cost disclosure is a long one , hostilities commenced properly with the OFT report on workplace pensions in 2014. This reminded Government that we know … Continue reading →

Posted in auto-enrolment, pensions | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

It’s not “advice v guidance”; it’s “advice v selling”.

Posted on September 20, 2017 by

  I have in my hand a little A5 leaflet from the Pensions Advisory Service , entitled Advice and Guidance ; Recognising the difference. I will try to get an electronic link to it but for now you’ll have to … Continue reading →

Posted in advice gap, alvin hall, annuity, pensions | 3 Comments

FCA -If you’re looking for innovation….get real!

Posted on September 19, 2017 by

The FCA says it has found precious little evidence of innovation from its Retirement Outcome Review. I am not surprised, judging by the people who it invites to its “workshops”, it is looking in the wrong places. It is necessary to … Continue reading →

Posted in pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Would a shift from bonds to growth assets keep the USS afloat? – Mike Otsuka

Posted on September 19, 2017 by

  Michael Otsuka is Professor of Philosophy at the London School of Economics. He has also served as the pensions officer for the LSE’s UCU branch. This article originally appeared on Wonkhe.com, the home of higher education policy, people and … Continue reading →

Posted in pensions | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment