All Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) articles – Page 39
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Opinion
Steps to take to equalise your guaranteed minimum pensions
The vexed question of how to equalise your guaranteed minimum pensions remains unanswered, but hopefully not for much longer. Pensions minister Steve Webb has indicated that guidance will be published in spring 2014.
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Opinion
Editorial: Freedom from want
The reaction to last week’s TUC report on state pension reform understandably focused on the results which, the union held, supported its claim that £144 a week would leave the “vast majority of people” worse off.
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News
Axa ups benefit in final deal on DB scheme closure
Axa has confirmed it will close its UK defined benefit scheme from next month following a review, with current members receiving additional pension payments under the final agreement.
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News
Pressure grows for improved default fund standards
News analysis: Focus on the design of default funds has sharpened following government and industry plans to explore new minimum standards, but the process presents challenges, industry experts have said.
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News
Scottish state pension 'triple whammy' fears
Shadow pensions minister Gregg McClymont has said Scotland’s state pension provision will be hit by a demographic “triple whammy” should the country vote for independence next September.
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Opinion
Editorial: The metaphysics of quality
Last week, the government issued a call for evidence on quality standards in defined contribution schemes.
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News
Industry to meet ministers over impact of UK split
News analysis: Industry figures will meet with ministers next month to flesh out how a split UK pensions system could work in the event of a yes vote for Scottish independence.
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News
How auto-enrolment exceptions help your scheme
News analysis: Exceptions to auto-enrolment regulations due next year will bring more flexibility to schemes, but may be too late to help those already enrolled.
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News
APPT: changes needed to combat liberation fraud
Changes to legislation could help prevent pension liberation fraud and take the burden off trustees, the Association of Professional Pension Trustees has said, as reports emerge of increased fraudulent activity.
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News
Royal Mail annuity broking gets almost total member take-up
Members of the Royal Mail Defined Contribution Plan have welcomed the scheme’s decision to default at retirement into an annuity broking service to maximise their retirement income.
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News
CDC working group studies Dutch and Swedish schemes
News analysis: The government’s collective defined contribution working group has studied European models to potentially bring to the UK, but pension professionals have questioned employer appetite for the benefit structure.
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News
SPC: Pot-follows-member a 'breeding ground' for fraud
The government’s pot-follows-member proposals threaten to “overstretch” the industry and expose members to greater risk of pension liberation fraud, if introduced at the peak of auto-enrolment in 2014, the Society of Pension Consultants has warned.
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Opinion
Why 'healthy' life expectancy matters to members
Longevity has rooted itself as a near-intractable problem for sponsors of defined benefit pension schemes while at the same time being an apparently good-news story for everyone else.
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News
Aviva plans GPP committee to boost governance
Aviva is the latest insurer considering a trustee-type governance committee for its group personal pension to drive up standards and make its operations more cohesive.
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News
DWP: Avoid contract v trust governance debate
The government has said a “black and white” debate about differences in governance standards at contract and trust-based schemes is an unwelcome distraction from ensuring high standards across all arrangements.
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News
Consultancy charging ban set to hit SMEs
The government’s decision to ban consultancy charges in all auto-enrolment schemes has been broadly welcomed, but the change is predicted to have a big impact on smaller employers.
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Opinion
Ensuring quality in your auto-enrolment scheme
In the absence of an official benchmark, this week’s In Depth looks at how employers are deciding which schemes are better for auto-enrolment, and how to promote them to staff.
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News
Government considers added layer of AE legislation
Pension professionals have welcomed plans for the government to legislate on further minimum standards for auto-enrolment to ensure schemes meet quality benchmarks.
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News
United Utilities takes action to lessen state pension impact
United Utilities has set up a special risk management group to deal with the impact of changes to the state pension due in 2016, and has warned schemes not to ignore the upcoming reform.
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Features
Tesco consults with unions to reduce costs
The retail giant's scheme is consulting with trade unions on changes to its retirement age and indexation, in an attempt to achieve member consent for these savings.