Tag Archives: first actuarial

Is the USS really in crisis?

Posted on November 25, 2017 by henry tapper

Professor Dennis Leech is Emeritus Professor of Economics at Warwick University. This week has seen the University Employers threaten to withdraw sponsorship for future DB accrual, the University Union announce intended strike action and the DWP Select Committee ask fundamental questions about … Continue reading →

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First Actuarial warns on knee-jerk reactions to the interest rate rise

Posted on November 2, 2017 by henry tapper

With the Bank of England doubling interest rates, First Actuarial predicts a flurry of good and bad pension headlines, but warns of misguided optimism on funding and a rush for the door fuelled by pessimism about transfer values. Good news … Continue reading →

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First Actuarial- proud to work for you!

Posted on September 30, 2017 by henry tapper

  I had a nice surprise over breakfast; whizzing through my emails I found that while I’ve gone on holiday, they’ve issued a FAB press release! 50:50 claim by PLSA is “dangerously misleading” says First Actuarial First Actuarial chastises the … Continue reading →

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Labour adopts CDC for good retirement outcomes

Posted on September 27, 2017 by henry tapper

  This week , the Labour Party’s list of policies became one longer when shadow pension minister Alex Cunningham announced that reviving the mothballed secondary legislation to enable collective defined contribution schemes would happen under a future Labour Government. A few … Continue reading →

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Workplace Pension winners and losers- Punter Southall Aspire do the numbers (Now with added NEST!)

Posted on September 13, 2017 by henry tapper

Employers selecting DC default investment funds for their workforce pensions assume they’re making a wise investment choice. However, a new report, ‘Who’s performing well?’ from Punter Southall Aspire, which examined nine major DC pension providers’ default pension funds in their … Continue reading →

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What future – if we cannot rely on universities in twenty years time?

Posted on September 4, 2017 by henry tapper

When I wrote my blog yesterday, I had not read the USS consultation document which contains the basis of the triennial valuation it has just completed. I was writing “over” the FT article written by Jo Cumbo which (as usual) presented … Continue reading →

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“Going halves on DB” – the argument for (and against) partial transfers.

Posted on August 29, 2017 by henry tapper

(Rival) consultancy LCP and insurer Royal London have joined up to produce a paper calling for it to be mandatory for trustees to provide members with the option to take part of their DB pension as pension and part as … Continue reading →

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Deficit – what deficit?

Posted on August 22, 2017 by henry tapper

  “Deficit – What deficit?” asks First Actuarial as the FAB Index climbs for the third month in a row     First Actuarial’s Best estimate (FAB) Index improved for the third month in a row, showing a month-end surplus … Continue reading →

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Social Housing? Pensions? Read this!

Posted on July 11, 2017 by henry tapper

    This is from my main man, Neal Thompson. Neal is sh*t off a shovel when it comes to this stuff. Much the most knowledgeable fellow I’ve ever met on social housing and pensions. Devonshires are one of those … Continue reading →

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Start out as you mean to go on – come work with us!

Posted on July 7, 2017 by henry tapper

We’re looking for someone who’s spent a year + in pensions and wants to work in a proper consultancy. Continue reading →

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