Tag Archives: annuities
So you think that your pension was bought out by a gilt-edged insurer?
All year I have been writing about the security of buy-ins and buy-outs of occupational pensions in the UK by insurers. I am talking in particular about our insurers that are shipping off assets and liabilities to the USA and … Continue reading
Claire Altman of Standard Life – serious about VFM as delivering pensions!
This week’s VFM podcast did not go as expected for Nico and Darren as it featured Claire Altmann as Standard Life’s Managing Director: BPA & Individual Retirement I have a very high regard for Claire. She is familiarly Clara and … Continue reading
Not that much “reassurance” about shifting my pension to an insurer.
I am not surprised that , ahead of publishing the numbers of the 11 insurers n the UK annuity market, the PRA has reassured us that none are currently in trouble or likely to be trouble from the risks we … Continue reading
How offshore insurers manage British pensioner money
Let’s kick off with the institutional takeover of your company pension by offshore insurers Let’s follow up with the offshore insurer’s move on the “wealthy’s wealth”. Both stories are from this weekend’s FT , the first from camilla.palladino@ft.com and the … Continue reading
A good idea is a good idea wherever it’s from. SA from Aus!
I have complained a lot about the takeover of British Insurers (most especially about Just and PIC but also Upmost) by American private equity houses, Apollo and Brookfield But that doesn’t mean that the life companies can’t do good … Continue reading
The difference between gilts and swap prices and what it can mean to your pension
I was pulled up by Con Keating in a comment on a recent article on bulk annuities. Con reprimanded me after I’d said that annuities were priced against gilts (what I was told to say when I was selling “lifestyle” … Continue reading
How does value get measured for money at retirement?
Let us imagine a conversion rate from pot to pension for everyone at a certain time of their lives – let’s call that the date of the state pension to simplify decision making on what we measure decumulation decisions … Continue reading
We don’t have to have a gilt-less pension system – give collective DC and DB half a chance!
The people I hang out with are bifurcated between the DC people (consumer facing) and those who deal (institutionally) with funding. Put Richard Smith among the consumerists and you get Jo Cumbo writing for him, put Con Keating at the … Continue reading
PIC ask their annuitants what they want. Do pensioners want annuities?
There is a lot to be said for asking your customers what they want and Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC) make it clear that they have good reason to feel happy that people getting paid annuities by them are happy with … Continue reading
Pension Commission? Be careful what the industry asks for!
Doesn’t the pensions industry already have a very strong consensus that people should give them more of their money to manage? Political parties already seem largely on board, so I’m not sure what a commission would be expected to do … Continue reading