Category Archives: Retail Distribution Review

Corporate wraps for the Sunny Uplands ?

Today I’m due to spend all day discovering what the corporate wrap has done for us. Currently I reckon I could sum it up in one word. NOTHING Of course it sounds better with a naughty word but that’ll do. … Continue reading

Posted in corporate governance, customer service, dc pensions, de-risking, pension playpen, Retail Distribution Review, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pension choices for smaller companies

Smaller companies– those with less than 50 employees are the beating heart of Britain’s economy. It is from among their number that the next Virgin or Tesco will come and though many of them will be toast in ten years … Continue reading

Posted in annuity, corporate governance, customer service, dc pensions, de-risking, pension playpen, pensions, Personal Accounts, Retail Distribution Review, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Champagne down the drain

Many thanks to those who came, and those who wanted to come but couldn’t – not the easiest of days to get about.

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Posted in annuity, dc pensions, de-risking, mallowstreet, Martin Lewis, Retail Distribution Review, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

IFEs not IFAs

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

Be aware – IFAs at work!

In order for employers to get value from their employee benefit plans they had better be absolutely sure that they are delivered by advisers that need carry no wealth warning!
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Posted in corporate governance, dc pensions, de-risking, Retail Distribution Review, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Scheme Pensions aren’t the magic bullet -yet

There seems to be irrational exuberance among some parts of the IFA community that a new solution is round the corner to what are seen to be the poor “at retirement” options presented by conventional annuities or the new drawdown (under … Continue reading

Posted in NEST, pensions, Retail Distribution Review | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Buy now while IFAs last?

Commission comes at a cost and a cost that is rarely counted Continue reading

Posted in corporate governance, Retail Distribution Review, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Could we find a truly independent financial adviser?

The Playpen met for lunch as they do every first Monday of the month to discuss a question posed to us by Paul Bradshaw- serial entrepreneur and the inventor (according to Alan Smith) of the £50,000 pa PEP. In attendance Bill … Continue reading

Posted in pension playpen, Retail Distribution Review | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

We can negotiate our DC charges (and it does matter!)

CHARGES ARE ABOUT THE ONLY FEATURE OF OUR PENSION PLAN DESIGN THAT WE CAN CONTROL.

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What we can and cannot do (to provide our staff with better DC pension outcomes)

The Pensions Regulator has challenged us to establish what can practically be done for staff with DC pensions.
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Posted in annuity, corporate governance, dc pensions, de-risking, NEST, pensions, Retail Distribution Review, Retirement, twitter | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments