Tag Archives: Transfer

Transparency as disinfectant

Posted on September 8, 2017 by

Wherever possible – organisations should aspire to be transparent in their dealings, sharing information with all stakeholders. Bank wins by being straight with customers Making information difficult to access causes problems. My friends at Quietroom tell the story of how, … Continue reading →

Posted in accountants, actuaries, advice gap, pensions | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Why some transfer values may be just TOO HIGH!

Posted on September 7, 2017 by

Earlier this year I wrote a blog “why some transfers are ridiculously high” which set out to explain how DB transfer values are calculated and why they are at present at historical highs. My friend and colleague Alan Smith presented the … Continue reading →

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

“Pot follows member”? Who are you kidding? Pension Bee blows the lid on DC transfers.

Posted on August 9, 2017 by

We’ve had fuss about how hard it is to move your bank account, we’ve had fuss about how hard it is to switch utility supplier, but how hard is it to merge your pension accounts so that your pot follows … Continue reading →

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

Why we’re forever blowing (transfer) bubbles!

Posted on April 28, 2017 by

    It’s a shame that Alistair Cunningham’s thought-piece on behavioural bias’ encouraging herds of us to “cash-out” our DB pensions, is behind a pay-wall. If you are an FT subscriber you can use the link at the end of … Continue reading →

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

A note on transfer values and “reverse transfer risk”.

Posted on March 30, 2017 by

James Greer of Old Mutual is reminding financial advisors that there’s a risk of advising clients to stay put and not take a DB Transfer Value. Our data suggests that only about 15% of transfer values applied for are taken … Continue reading →

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

FCA calls on advisers to take a fiduciary role on transfers.

Posted on January 25, 2017 by

The FCA has published a very scary note intended for advisers recommending transfers from Defined Benefit schemes . In its statement published on Tuesday, the FCA revealed further failings in the pension transfer advice market, the regulator said some advisors … Continue reading →

Posted in pensions | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Con Keating on the real cost of pension transfers

Posted on January 3, 2017 by

  Imagine buying a bond at par, say a ten-year, ten-percent coupon issue; then let five years pass, when market interest rates decline to one percent. At this time, the bond is trading in the market at £143.68 percent. Now, … Continue reading →

Posted in Pension Freedoms, pensions, Retirement, trustee | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

“The pension transfer lottery” – thoughts from a PlayPen lunch.

Posted on December 6, 2016 by

At a consumer level, the absurdity of pension deficit volatility, seemed to me abstract and notional. But yesterday’s Pension Play Pen lunch changed that.  One of our party reported that the value of his cash equivalent transfer value (CETV) changed … Continue reading →

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

The curse of the transfer value!

Posted on December 3, 2016 by

There is a curse to having money that was bequeathed us by the later Chancellor. It is called “freedom” and it applies to the rights that  baby boomers have in final salary schemes. It’s not just those in their fifties, many … Continue reading →

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

A tragic tale of a split pension.

Posted on August 26, 2016 by

    This is the sad story of how someone, intent on running her finances independently of her “ex”, destroyed her personal financial security. It relates to a former member of my family and I am desperately sorry for her, … Continue reading →

Posted in advice gap, annuity, pensions, Pensions Regulator | Tagged , , , , , , , | 13 Comments