Tag Archives: IFA

IFAs are living the life of Woodford

Posted on October 15, 2019 by

Having spent nearly 24 hours somewhere in a field hotel in Hampshire, I am seriously worried about the complacency of IFAs. Indulged beyond measure, flattered by the fund managers that pay their bills seem oblivious to the conflicts of interests … Continue reading →

Posted in advice gap, age wage, pensions | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Is your pension due an upgrade?

Posted on September 22, 2019 by

In the relentless pursuit of new business, insurance companies and other financial institutions involved in the commercial marketing of pensions , have focussed on the new customer or the existing customer increasing his or her savings. It’s not hard to … Continue reading →

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The choices Hobson gives us at retirement

Posted on July 28, 2019 by

  I’ve been thinking about my options with my DC pension pot. Do I continue to want my money exposed to market risk , do I take an annuity rate depressed by quantitative easing or do I sit on a … Continue reading →

Posted in pensions | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Towards a new pension funding code

Posted on May 13, 2019 by

  On Thursday, David Fairs, head of policy at the Pensions Regulator delivered a keynote speech to 200 or so delegates at the First Actuarial client conference. He did so a couple of hours after publishing a blog which has … Continue reading →

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Royal London IGC – the regal treatment!

Posted on April 9, 2019 by

  The 2019 IGC report – a good read I haven’t given much thought to IGC production values, but they’re the first thing you notice when you scroll through the Royal London IGC report. Someone has spent some time and money … Continue reading →

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

Contingent charging – “commission” by another name?

Posted on December 8, 2018 by

Along with Al Rush, Jo Cumbo , Michelle Cracknell – I was interviewed yesterday by the BBC Moneybox team for a Christmas special on pension transfers. It’s always good doing these things as it forces you to say what you … Continue reading →

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

Now that’s what I call financial advice.

Posted on November 23, 2018 by

I’m quoting Al Rush from the Facebook post he made yesterday evening following the meetings of steelworkers with MPs and Regulators yesterday.  Al’s message to the steelmen Sometimes, in my line of work, it can be dispiriting to work for … Continue reading →

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

Are you and your savings “retirement ready”?

Posted on September 22, 2018 by

I’m getting fit, which is a long way off saying “I’m fit” in any sense of the words. But just getting rid of the first few pounds has put me in a much better frame of mind. Many of us … Continue reading →

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Do pension customers get value for money from financial advisers?

Posted on August 9, 2018 by

This is the last of eight blogs I’ve written in response to the Work and Pensions Select Committee’s inquiry into Pension Transparency. Today’s exam question is “Do pension customers get value for money from financial advisers?” and the quick answer … Continue reading →

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Lessons from Port Talbot – webinar – 26th June

Posted on June 14, 2018 by

Transfer values from DB schemes tripled in 2017 to £34.2bn. Transfer values are fundamentally changing the cashflow profile of many defined benefit schemes and bringing new challenges for trustees and employers. Last year, the highest profile transfer value activity was … Continue reading →

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