All articles by Benjamin Mercer – Page 22
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NewsIndustry welcomes govt’s new green gilts
The government is to press ahead with “at least two” green gilt issuances later this year totalling around £15bn, and on Wednesday published its Green Financing Framework setting out its climate and environmental agenda in more detail.
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NewsPASA unveils counter-fraud guidance
On the go: The Pensions Administration Standards Association has unveiled its latest counter-fraud guidance, taking aim at scammers and looking to provide pension schemes with the tools used to counter an increase in criminal acts following the introduction of pension freedoms.
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NewsGovt issues response to consultation on strengthening TPR’s powers
The UK government has issued its response to the Pensions Regulator’s contribution notices and information-gathering powers regulations consultation.
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NewsBrunel’s Faith Ward wins environmental finance award
On the go: Faith Ward, chief responsible investment officer at Brunel Pension Partnership, has been named environmental finance personality of the year by news and analysis service Environmental Finance for her work making Brunel a “sustainability leader”.
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NewsTapping DC schemes for growth fund raises industry concern
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is reportedly hoping to draft defined contribution schemes into propping up the government’s proposed Long-Term Assets Fund, though experts have raised concerns about its practicality.
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NewsGovt to reform discount rate and cost-control mechanism
The government has proposed aligning the discount rate review periods with the valuation cycles of public service pension schemes, and is taking forward reforms to the cost-cap mechanism first proposed by the government actuary.
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PodcastsPodcast: Treasury ‘ignored advice’ in public sector pension reforms
Podcast: A report from the Public Accounts Committee about the public sector pensions reform has showed that Treasury ignored advice that could have prevented the McCloud case, argues Ian Neale, co-founder of Aries Insight. He is joined by Sackers partner Claire Carey, in an episode also covering industry consultation fatigue and the new Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures reporting requirements.
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NewsHigh Court clarifies rules over pension back payment arrears
The High Court has further clarified the procedure for paying arrears when a member has not claimed a back payment within the usual six-year period, confirming that scheme rules will determine whether trustees have discretion as to whether those benefits have been forfeited.
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NewsRushing DC consolidation could hurt member outcomes
The Department for Work and Pensions wants to speed up consolidation among schemes with less than £5bn in assets. Although the initiative was broadly welcomed, experts have warned that rushing its implementation could worsen member outcomes.
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NewsIndustry warns against Treasury ‘tax raid’
Experts from across the pensions industry have warned against a rumoured “tax raid” in the autumn budget.
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NewsIndustry focus shifts toward the ‘S’ in ESG
Three quarters of Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association members intend to review their social policy in the coming year, according to its response to the government’s consultation focusing on social risks and opportunities for occupational pension schemes.
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NewsMP tables bill to clarify rules around GMP conversion
On the go: A private members’ bill has been tabled in the House of Commons that aims to amend and clarify existing rules around guaranteed minimum pension conversion.
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NewsBespoke funding route could save charities 65% in cash contributions
On the go: Charities could cut their defined benefit cash contributions by between 35 and 65 per cent if they opt for the bespoke option over the fast-track route in the new DB funding code, according to analysis by Hymans Robertson.
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NewsMore advice needed on ‘fiendishly complicated’ pension freedoms
Pension freedoms have presented members with “fiendishly complicated” choices and providers are being stymied by the blurred line between guidance and advice, a hearing of the Work and Pensions Committee has heard.
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NewsACA warns of inadvertent damage to pensions advice market
On the go: The Association of Consulting Actuaries has warned HM Revenue & Customs against causing accidental damage to the pensions advice market.
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NewsUniversities back alternative proposals to reform USS
Employers representing 95 per cent of the Universities Superannuation Scheme membership have backed measures proposed by Universities UK, including enhanced employer covenant provision, in a bid to end the impasse over the scheme’s 2020 valuation.
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NewsGovernment actuary proposes cost control mechanism reform
Martin Clarke, the government actuary, has proposed changing the cost-control mechanism used in the reformed public service pension schemes in a bid to tackle the “perverse outcome” of the 2016 valuation.
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NewsOmbudsman reports failing AE employer to the regulator
On the go: The Pensions Ombudsman has upheld a complaint against accounting company Berics over £678 in unpaid auto-enrolment contributions, reporting the employer to the Pensions Regulator.
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NewsTimms urges action on fraudsters posing as Dalriada trustees
Work and Pensions Committee chair Stephen Timms has written to the City of London Police asking why no urgent action has been taken against fraudsters masquerading as representatives of Dalriada.
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NewsCalls for NHS pension reform to tackle 'medical staffing crisis'
On the go: The British Medical Association has used a Public Accounts Committee report criticising the Treasury’s implementation of public sector pension reforms to call for further changes to the NHS Pension Scheme in order to tackle the medical staffing crisis.