Latest articles from Benjamin Mercer

Can UK councils rent their own streets to fund pensions?

UK houses

Several US public schemes have embraced unusual means of securing funding, including renting property to themselves. Although these tactics cannot be used across the Atlantic, the post-Covid landscape could see a variety of new strategies being deployed in the UK.

Post-Brexit Solvency II reform an opportunity to free up capital

On the go: Brexit affords the UK an opportunity to revisit and reform Solvency II legislation, freeing up capital that can then be used to further the post-Covid economic recovery.

BA agrees deal with trustees to defer £450m deficit contributions

On the go: British Airways has announced an agreement with its New Airways Pension Scheme to defer £450m of pension deficit contributions.

Weekly Roundup: Make a U-turn where possible

U-turn

This week – the government’s U-turn on public sector exit payments, a timely boost for Arcadia schemes, yet more concerns over Pension Schemes Act implications, and a plea to HMRC to solve GMP tax issues.

Timms calls for pension transfer rules change

Twitter podcast logo

Podcast: The current law governing transfers is not fit for purpose and there are too many bodies involved in handling pension scams, according to Work and Pensions Committee chair Stephen Timms.

Calls for DWP to change chair’s statement rules

On the go: The Department for Work and Pensions is to publish a review of the effectiveness of defined contribution chair’s statements in April, which has prompted some specialists to call for a major rethink.

Schemes’ industry investments lag behind climate targets

On the go: Pension schemes with investments in heavy industry like steel, cement, aluminium and paper are likely to find them lagging behind the Paris agreement’s targets, with 86 per cent failing to align with a pathway to “2C or below by 2050”.

Most savers unaware of schemes’ climate change endeavours

On the go: Three-fifths of workplace pension members do not know if their scheme is taking any action to combat climate change, according to a survey by the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association.

Opinion split on Pension Schemes Act implications

Big Ben, parliament

A survey carried out as part of a webinar by law firm Sackers has laid bare a deep divide in the industry over powers afforded by the Pension Schemes Act.

Arcadia schemes could have enough assets to survive outside PPF

On the go: Arcadia pension scheme members could receive a greater portion of their savings after a string of property and infrastructure sales raised enough capital to bring them out of the Pension Protection Fund.