Latest articles from Benjamin Mercer

Govt allocates £425mn for teachers’ remedy back payments

News on the go

On the go: The government has allocated £425mn for back payments to members of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, and others within scope of the Goodwin ruling from 2020.

Govt to consult on McCloud tax legislation this summer

News on the go

On the go: The government has committed to provide tax-free compensation to members who choose reformed scheme as opposed to legacy scheme benefits under the McCloud remedy, and will consult on the necessary legislation in the summer.

Plumbing Pensions to use member funds to fight section 75 claims

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The Court of Session in Edinburgh has granted Plumbing Pensions permission to use member funds to defend against legal claims from employers over its pursuit of section 75 liabilities.

Pension schemes to tackle deforestation in climate push

Bloomberg

Pension schemes in the UK will be expected to do more to tackle deforestation as part of the government’s climate policies, pensions minister Guy Opperman has warned.

‘Build back better’ hits wall as trustees report trouble aligning

News on the go

On the go: Trustees and investment managers are struggling to bring their investment strategies into line with the government’s ‘build back better’ initiative, citing a lack of opportunities and long-term planning.

Another wave of strikes begins as USS valuation row escalates

News on the go

On the go: Staff at 40 universities have begun the next round of industrial action over the controversial conclusion of the Universities Superannuation Scheme’s 2020 consultation.

Weekly Roundup: Panic! At the dashboards

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This week – Industry getting increasingly nervous about dashboards’ staging dates, anger as new FCF levy set to cost master trusts £130mn, firefighters strike a memorandum of understanding with the government, and teachers accept GDST pensions offer.

Public sector scheme members get retirement calculator

News on the go

On the go: The Government Actuary’s Department has released an online tool designed to help public sector scheme members better understand their options for benefits and retirement.

Teachers accept GDST pensions offer but union remains concerned

Getty Images

Further industrial action at the Girls’ Day School Trust has been averted after teachers accepted an updated pensions and pay offer from the trust, though the National Education Union has refused to endorse it.

LGA calls for 2025 dashboards deadline amid capacity crunch fears

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The Local Government Association has called for the staging date by which the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme is to join the dashboards to be set back, arguing that it is not feasible to expect the scheme to join before 2025.