Tag Archives: Investment

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 , , , , | 11 Comments

Simplifying pensions with AgeWage

Posted on October 13, 2018 by

A number of people have asked about “AgeWage”, so I thought to write an article introducing it and why I and our management team are so excited about what it will do. A good business plan should start with a … Continue reading →

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Investing can now be “free” – here’s how.

Posted on August 4, 2018 by

I was sitting in a room of a leading asset manager yesterday listening to the yada yada. I’d needlessly put myself under a non-disclosure agreement but it was clear that there was no real news, so I thought I’d mention … Continue reading →

Posted in pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

CMA investment probe shock; the big three breathe again!

Posted on July 19, 2018 by

It shows the distance between the consumer and the investment consultant that all but a handful of readers will know what this headline refers to. To the general public, the Competition and Markets Authority’s probe into the opaque world of … Continue reading →

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We need to simplify our pension affairs

Posted on June 16, 2018 by

We are told that pensions are complex. We are told that we need advice to manage our retirement finances. We are warned hat we could be scammed if we don’t. Is it any wonder that people look at their retirement … Continue reading →

Posted in advice gap, pensions | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

How we get our pension pots invested responsibly.

Posted on May 5, 2018 by

Victoria Derbyshire’s father taught her when she made contributed to a pension, she wasn’t saving but “spending on her retirement”. The distinction is helpful in differentiating a risk-driven action- “saving” from one that promises deferred gratification- “spending”. For most people … Continue reading →

Posted in pensions | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Investment aspects of CDC – Con Keating

Posted on April 16, 2018 by

One of the less discussed aspects of CDC is the management of the investment fund. This differs from traditional DC where the asset management objective is to maximise asset values at all times. It is intrinsically short-term. Incidentally this conflicts … Continue reading →

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Life’s a beach for the BlackRock IGC

Posted on April 12, 2018 by

It’s a sure fine of things to come when an IGC report is promoted by a stock photo. This couple appear on most of the IGC reports I have read, I suspect they were scammed out of their pension and … Continue reading →

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

What I’ll ask the Pensions Minister today (if I can find him).

Posted on October 3, 2017 by

Calling Guy Opperman MP,  Minister for pensions and inclusion, “are you out there?” I’m on my way up to Manchester clutching an email from your office saying you want to meet me, I will be at (y)our conference for the … Continue reading →

Posted in #WASPI, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Time for the master-trusts to show their investment mettle.

Posted on September 2, 2017 by

I have a problem with the accountability of master trusts for their investment outcomes. To my knowledge, only NEST (in Mark Fawcett) has an appointed individual responsible for the member’s investment outcomes. Other master trusts may have internal accountabilities, but … Continue reading →

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