Pensions Expert - News, analysis and comment on UK workplace pension schemes

Vodafone scheme completes CWW merger with £325m employer payment

Emma Powell | July 29, 2014

Vodafone has contributed £325m to its defined benefit scheme as it completes the transfer of the Cable & Wireless Worldwide Retirement Plan, after purchasing the rival telecoms company in 2012.

BBC plan sees slight deficit improvement as contributions bed in

Tom Dines | July 28, 2014

The BBC has seen a small improvement in its accounting pension deficit as it embarks upon a 12-year plan of additional contributions to boost its scheme funding.

NESPF beefs up governance to prep for Scottish LGPS reform

Emma Powell | July 28, 2014

North East Scotland Pension Fund plans to establish a dedicated governance team – incorporating communication responsibilities – to deal with the increased workload produced by local government pension scheme reforms.

ETV exercises to rise as government accepts DB-to-DC transfers

Eirlys Goss | July 25, 2014

Industry experts have predicted the use of enhanced transfer value exercises could increase as employers look to encourage switches out of defined benefit plans in light of the Budget changes, but trustees have been urged to ensure members receive adequate advice.

Civil service employers face increased contributions after discount rate cut

Emma Powell | July 24, 2014

Participating employers of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme will face an increase in their pension costs, due to a reduced discount rate, following government efforts to control public spending.

PPI: Small employers may seek pay cuts to make up auto-enrolment cost

Angus Peters | July 23, 2014

A report released last week found smaller employers may consider decreasing basic pay to implement auto-enrolment, while experts said implementing the reform will lead to a focus on benefit structure.

Comment & Analysis

Which process provides the best trustees: election or selection?

Lisa Botter | July 29, 2014

Any other business: Low voter turnout has plagued many elections. As the famous apocryphal quote from US politics runs, “A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls”.

Regulator: We're stepping up the fight against scams that have shattered lives

Andrew Warwick-Thompson | July 24, 2014

Talking head: The regulator's Andrew Warwick-Thompson sets out the detail of the watchdog's renewed push against pension liberation scams, which he reveals have resulted in one scheme member taking his own life when a promised lump sum did not materialise.

Snowdon: 'unseen army' of non-IFAs could deliver guidance guarantee

Margaret Snowdon | July 23, 2014

In this edition of Informed Comment, PASA's Margaret Snowdon argues the guidance guarantee should be brought in for all major benefit choices, such as joining or leaving a pension scheme, and delivery need not be restricted to regulated advisers.

Video

The Review: UKSIF calls on schemes to reconsider sustainable investment policies

Tom Dines | July 9, 2014

Video: Simon Howard, chief executive at sustainable investment trade body UKSIF, and Ralph McClelland, senior associate at Sackers, discuss the Law Commission's report on fiduciary duty, including the impact of its distinction between financial and non-financial factors (5:37).

How Nest will respond to Budget changes

Emma Powell | June 25, 2014

Video: Mark Fawcett, chief investment officer at Nest, discusses the state-sponsored mastertrust's forthcoming consultation on how its investment strategy should change in light of the Budget reforms (5:03).

CBI lays out employer reform concerns

Emma Powell | June 10, 2014

Video: Neil Carberry, director for employment and skills at the CBI, gives the employer's view on this year's historic pension changes, from the at-retirement flexibility bestowed by the Budget to the government's plans on defined ambition (5:38).