All Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) articles – Page 39

  • Opinion

    Steps to take to equalise your guaranteed minimum pensions

    2013-09-03T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • Opinion

    Editorial: Freedom from want

    2013-08-23T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • Axa (Getty)
    News

    Axa ups benefit in final deal on DB scheme closure

    2013-08-16T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • News

    Pressure grows for improved default fund standards

    2013-08-15T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • Scottish flag (Getty)
    News

    Scottish state pension 'triple whammy' fears

    2013-08-08T00:00:00Z

    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. 

  • Opinion

    Editorial: The metaphysics of quality

    2013-07-08T00:00:00Z

    Last week, the government issued a call for evidence on quality standards in defined contribution schemes.

  • Getty
    News

    Industry to meet ministers over impact of UK split

    2013-07-04T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • News

    How auto-enrolment exceptions help your scheme

    2013-07-03T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • News

    APPT: changes needed to combat liberation fraud

    2013-06-28T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • News

    Royal Mail annuity broking gets almost total member take-up

    2013-06-26T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • News

    CDC working group studies Dutch and Swedish schemes

    2013-06-20T00:00:00Z

    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. 

  • News

    SPC: Pot-follows-member a 'breeding ground' for fraud

    2013-06-14T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • Opinion

    Why 'healthy' life expectancy matters to members

    2013-06-13T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • News

    Aviva plans GPP committee to boost governance

    2013-05-23T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • News

    DWP: Avoid contract v trust governance debate

    2013-05-16T00:00:00Z

    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.  

  • News

    Consultancy charging ban set to hit SMEs

    2013-05-14T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • iStock
    Opinion

    Ensuring quality in your auto-enrolment scheme

    2013-05-07T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • News

    Government considers added layer of AE legislation

    2013-05-03T00:00:00Z

    Pension professionals have welcomed plans for the government to legislate on further minimum standards for auto-enrolment to ensure schemes meet quality benchmarks.

  • News

    United Utilities takes action to lessen state pension impact

    2013-05-02T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • Features

    Tesco consults with unions to reduce costs

    2012-12-26T00:00:00Z

    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.