Tag Archives: EU Solvency II

The sins of the past

We have concentrated our thinking on how the financial services industry will cope with the new business strain of auto-enrolment. For many providers the bigger issue will be the impact on its existing business. Continue reading

Posted in auto-enrolment, customer service, dc pensions, Popcorn Pensions, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Insurers find comfort in Boardroom Benefits

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

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

There are better ways to de-risk than ETVs

The only pension schemes which you cannot transfer out of are the Basic State Pension, State Second Pension and NEST (yes – odd that a DC plan is in that mix). Continue reading

Posted in corporate governance, customer service, dc pensions, de-risking, EU Solvency II, Liability Driven Investment, NEST, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Tell them the truth (a ridiculous notion)

However, it would lead to the kind of engagement between staff and retirement that is needed if we are to move forward from the current deadlock of distrust.

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Posted in EU Solvency II, NEST, pension playpen, Personal Accounts, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Con climbs up Pigsah

And he went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho.”. Deuteronomy 34:1

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Posted in dc pensions, EU Solvency II, NEST, pension playpen, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A massive failure of nerve – the sad state of our DC pensions

Last year 460,000 people bought annuities from their DC pensions, Two thirds of these people did not bother to get the best rate for their accumulated funds and as a result suffered on average a 10% lower pension than those who did. Continue reading

Posted in corporate governance, dc pensions, de-risking, EU Solvency II, Fiduciary Management, Liability Driven Investment, NEST, pensions, Personal Accounts, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

You don’t always know what you’ve got till it’s gone

So I’m 48, 15 months older and I’d be able to buy an annuity-but they’ve paved paradise and I’ll have to wait till 2016 which sucks Continue reading

Posted in annuity, dc pensions, EU Solvency II, Liability Driven Investment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“I have looked over the cliff and I have seen DC”

It may have taken ten years but the precipitous drop to DC is now no joke. 2010 is likely to be a tipping point for many workplace pension schemes. Here are my personal predictions for the year ahead. Continue reading

Posted in dc pensions, pensions, Personal Accounts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

I like annuities but I’m worried..

Imagine it- the prospect of a 15-20% pay cut for the rest of my life and all because the Government changed the rules. Continue reading

Posted in annuity, dc pensions, de-risking, EU Solvency II, pensions, Personal Accounts, Retirement, Treasury | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments