Latest articles from Benjamin Mercer

Employers call for UCU backing over USS governance review

News on the go

On the go: Universities UK, the group representing 340 Universities Superannuation Scheme employers, has called for the backing of the University and College Union over the scheme's governance review.

DWP’s consultation on DB funding regulations expected in July

News on the go

On the go: A long-awaited Department for Work and Pensions consultation into regulations underpinning the new defined benefit funding code is expected towards the end of July, putting the code on track to launch in late 2023, according to a spokesperson from the Pensions Regulator.

Aon and Mercer issue ‘urgent’ call to action over LDI strategies

John Sibley/Reuters

Consultancies Aon and Mercer have urged pension schemes, trustees and sponsors to prepare to intervene to protect their schemes, as bond market volatility puts strain on liability-driven investment strategies.

PensionBee reports providers to DWP alleging transfer rules abuse

EtiAmmos/iStock

PensionBee has reported a number of providers to the Department for Work and Pensions, accusing them of exploiting regulatory loopholes to obstruct and delay transfers.

HMRC clarifies tax treatment of GMP arrears

News on the go

On the go: HM Revenue & Customs has set out the tax treatment for arrears and interest when equalising for guaranteed minimum pension, explaining the circumstances under which there is an obligation to deduct tax.

Origo launches pensions dashboard connector

News on the go

On the go: Fintech company Origo is to launch its own pensions dashboard connector in September, giving providers an interface with the dashboards that enables them to respond to user requests and provide pensions data.

Schemes will have a tough job weighing up discretionary increases

Podcasts

Podcast: Aon partner Lynda Whitney and Pensions Management Institute director of policy and external affairs Tim Middleton discuss the impact of inflation on schemes’ discretionary increases, the progress of the McCloud remedy and schemes’ dashboard readiness.

LGPS escapes McCloud cost-cap breach

News on the go

On the go: The Local Government Pension Scheme in England and Wales, alongside its Scottish and Northern Irish equivalents, has avoided the cost-cap breach suffered by a number of other public sector schemes resulting from the impact of the McCloud remedy cost on their 2016 valuations.

Weekly Roundup: Our time is running out

Calendar (teaser)

This week – Industry slams the DWP’s dashboards launch date proposals, more calls for clarity over TPR’s new enforcement powers, the BMA pushes for the expedition of the McCloud remedy and the introduction of pension recycling, and B&CE and a building company given a ticking off from the ombudsman.

Trustees urged to include ESG factors in covenant assessment

News on the go

On the go: Accounting for Sustainability and the Employer Covenant Practitioners Association have teamed up to launch a ‘top tips’ guide for considering environmental, social and governance risk in the employer covenant process, hailed by the Pensions Regulator chair Sarah Smart as “an important first port of call for trustees”.