Latest articles from Benjamin Mercer

COP26 sees 12% uptick in net zero commitments

Michaela Rehle/Reuters

More than half (52 per cent) of insurers and 50 per cent of pension funds have committed to making their portfolios net zero by 2050, up 12 per cent from last year, according to a new report from Aviva Investors.

Weekly Roundup: DWP cancels Jack Bauer

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This week — UK government considers doing away with ECJ’s Bauer ruling, 58 universities set to face strike action in early December, BMA threatens the government with legal action over McCloud remedy costs, and Mitchells & Butlers trustees win “significant” inflation court case.

McCloud costs dispute could damage members’ morale

Podcasts

Podcast: Hymans Robertson partner Michael Ambery and Quietroom co-founder Mark Scantlebury discuss McCloud, the statements season, and the evolution of member communications.

Government considers overturning PPF’s Bauer ruling

Reuters

The government is looking to remove the effects of the Bauer ruling, impacting the Pension Protection Fund, from UK law and will introduce primary legislation in the near future, according to a letter sent to various industry stakeholders.

BMA joins firefighters in threatening McCloud legal action

Getty Images

The British Medical Association is the latest public sector body to threaten legal action should the government persist with plans to make its members pay for the cost of the McCloud remedy.

Could CDC solve the USS crisis?

Peter Summers/Reuters

Collective defined contribution has been touted as a possible long-term solution to the problems of the Universities Superannuation Scheme, but experts and unions are not convinced of its suitability.

Nine in 10 unsure of their pension entitlements

News on the go

On the go: Nine in 10 people are unsure of what pension they are entitled to or whether they are receiving any pension contributions, according to new research from financial services comparison site Money.

Rodda keen to expand AE but remains silent on pensions tax

Fotoware

Shadow pensions minister Matt Rodda has said he is keen on expanding auto-enrolment and called for a negotiated settlement between unions and the Universities Superannuation Scheme, but he would not be drawn on Labour’s plans for pensions taxation during a talk with the Society of Pension Professionals.

£450bn of inflation-linked liabilities remains unmatched

News on the go

On the go: Some £450bn of inflation-linked liabilities belonging to defined benefit schemes remains unmatched due to a shortage of long-dated gilts, according to analysis by Alpha Real Capital.

Weekly Roundup: Even more USS misery

AP Photo

This week – Universities UK tries to dispel 2020 valuation myths, the statements season triggers a war of words, calls for more policy direction on net zero targets, and DWP’s flat fee charging limit is dubbed a nice gesture.