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VfM: What the industry said about the government’s Value for Money plans
From concerns over forward-looking metrics to calls for the framework to be expanded into decumulation, there has been a huge amount of feedback on the latest Value for Money consultation. Pensions Expert distils the main talking points.
Value for Money: Industry flags concerns over forward-looking metrics
The Financial Conduct Authority’s consultation process closed this week, as it continues to develop the proposed Value for Money rulebook that the government hopes will strengthen and future-proof DC savings.
Government consults on plan to consolidate 13m small pension pots
The DWP is seeking to establish a “federated” system of consolidator schemes that can automatically combine deferred DC pots worth less than £1,000, where the saver has not done so themselves.
TPR data shows continued funding improvements as new regime looms
Data from the Pensions Regulator shows continued improvement in funding levels for defined benefit pension schemes, as trustees review endgame options amid an expanded menu of options.
Murray takes over as chair for Railways Pension Scheme
Richard Murray is taking over from Christine Kernoghan as chair of trustees for the £36bn multi-employer pension scheme for the railways sector.
Endgame latest: Trio of announcements from buy-in to wind-up
The latest updates on endgame activity span from Canada Life’s £52m buy-in to the full wind-up of a flavours and fragrances company’s defined benefit pension scheme.
Women nearing retirement have 46% less pension wealth than men, PPI finds
Gendered working patterns have the biggest impact on the divide, reducing the median pension wealth of women aged 55 to 59 by 39% relative to men.
Digital services increasingly important to retirees, Aptia reports
As Pension Awareness Week begins, new research from Aptia shows more and more people are relying on their pension provider’s digital services to make key decisions about their retirement.
Comment
Paul Maynard: The pensions minister's post-reshuffle plans and priorities
Former pensions minister Paul Maynard opines on Torsten Bell’s reappointment and what it means for the multi-faceted UK pension reform ‘roadmap’.
Prospect: Self-employed workers need more help to save for retirement
Steve Thomas, deputy general secretary of the trade union Prospect, says it is not enough just to encourage more saving among self-employed people – they need a sustainable, affordable way to do so.
Sharing is caring: making the right call in surplus release decisions
Maggie Rodger, co-chair of the Association of Member Nominated Trustees, explains her organisation’s response to the surplus release consultation and the crucial factors all parties need to consider.
Are AI tools fuelling an emerging pension complaints risk?
Generative AI can turn member dissatisfaction into a detailed complaint within minutes. Trustees should respond by strengthening the support provided before retirement decisions are made, writes Guiide’s Philip Hodges.
Latest features
VfM: What the industry said about the government’s Value for Money plans
From concerns over forward-looking metrics to calls for the framework to be expanded into decumulation, there has been a huge amount of feedback on the latest Value for Money consultation. Pensions Expert distils the main talking points.
In Depth: Pensions UK’s responses to crucial consultations as reform takes shape
With a trio of crucial consultations concluding this month, Nick Reeve explores what the pensions industry’s trade association is lobbying for and how it hopes to shape major reforms.
Sizing up the challenge: Managing the transition from buy-in to buyout
Insurers and consultants are confident about their ability to handle the high volume of bulk annuity deals, but juggling demand for resources as schemes transition from buy-in to buyout could be tricky, as Bradley Gerrard reports.
Climate, liquidity, AI: What investment committees should be thinking about
With two-thirds of 2026 behind us, Pensions Expert asks investment consultants for the key risks and opportunities that should be on trustees’ agendas going into the autumn.
Inside the deal: How collaboration helped Mercer’s master trust seal a triple buy-in
As the derisking options for small defined benefit pension schemes increase, experts from Stephenson Harwood and Mercer share insights on how pooled arrangements have been able to secure insurance deals for some of the smallest clients.
VfM: What the industry said about the government’s Value for Money plans
In Depth: Pensions UK’s responses to crucial consultations as reform takes shape
Sizing up the challenge: Managing the transition from buy-in to buyout
Climate, liquidity, AI: What investment committees should be thinking about
Inside the deal: How collaboration helped Mercer’s master trust seal a triple buy-in
Latest on Defined Benefit
TPR data shows continued funding improvements as new regime looms
Data from the Pensions Regulator shows continued improvement in funding levels for defined benefit pension schemes, as trustees review endgame options amid an expanded menu of options.
Murray takes over as chair for Railways Pension Scheme
Richard Murray is taking over from Christine Kernoghan as chair of trustees for the £36bn multi-employer pension scheme for the railways sector.
Endgame latest: Trio of announcements from buy-in to wind-up
The latest updates on endgame activity span from Canada Life’s £52m buy-in to the full wind-up of a flavours and fragrances company’s defined benefit pension scheme.
XPS urges fiduciary manager reviews as more DB schemes consider run-on
Improved funding levels and changing DB endgames are altering what schemes need from their fiduciary managers, according to XPS Group.
People news
Murray takes over as chair for Railways Pension Scheme
Richard Murray is taking over from Christine Kernoghan as chair of trustees for the £36bn multi-employer pension scheme for the railways sector.
Appointments: Canada Life, L&G, Dalriada, IGG, Hymans, Aon, Squire Patton Boggs
The latest hires, promotions and appointments for the week ending 11 September 2026.
Appointments: Cartwright boosts special projects team; new tech chief at Mobius
The latest hires, promotions and appointments for the week ending 4 September 2026.
Appointments: USS recruits senior PE expert; Fiera appoints ex-LGPS Central boss
The latest hires, promotions and appointments for the week ending 28 August 2026.
Latest videos from Pensions Expert
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Latest on Defined Contribution
VfM: What the industry said about the government’s Value for Money plans
From concerns over forward-looking metrics to calls for the framework to be expanded into decumulation, there has been a huge amount of feedback on the latest Value for Money consultation. Pensions Expert distils the main talking points.
Value for Money: Industry flags concerns over forward-looking metrics
The Financial Conduct Authority’s consultation process closed this week, as it continues to develop the proposed Value for Money rulebook that the government hopes will strengthen and future-proof DC savings.
Government consults on plan to consolidate 13m small pension pots
The DWP is seeking to establish a “federated” system of consolidator schemes that can automatically combine deferred DC pots worth less than £1,000, where the saver has not done so themselves.
Digital services increasingly important to retirees, Aptia reports
As Pension Awareness Week begins, new research from Aptia shows more and more people are relying on their pension provider’s digital services to make key decisions about their retirement.
Latest on Dashboards
Digital services increasingly important to retirees, Aptia reports
As Pension Awareness Week begins, new research from Aptia shows more and more people are relying on their pension provider’s digital services to make key decisions about their retirement.
‘Life moments’ are key engagement points for employers, says WTW
Trustees and scheme managers expect members to use dashboards primarily around retirement and job changes rather than checking them regularly, according to the consultancy giant.
Bell says dashboard ‘has improved data quality’ as launch confirmed for 2027
The DWP has confirmed that 85% of schemes have connected to the dashboard ecosystem, with all in-scope schemes expected to meet the 31 October statutory connection deadline.
Always A Pensions Angle: Fit for the Future, Dashboards, and Retirement Living Standards
This week sees the podcast team looking at the LGPS, which has a little more time to get Fit for the Future as some important deadlines have been extended. There are also updates on dashboards, AI, and Retirement Living Standards.
