Latest articles from Maria Espadinha

PPF includes levy adjustment for GMP equalisation

The Pension Protection Fund will allow companies moving from a profit to a loss – due to the impact of guaranteed minimum pensions equalisation – to request an adjustment in their levy calculations.

ESAB Group scheme completes £255m buy-in

On the go: The ESAB Group Limited Pension & Life Assurance Scheme has completed a £255m buy-in with Rothesay Life.

Top civil servants with pensions worth more than £1m

On the go: The UK’s permanent secretaries – 23 individuals who head up government departments – had an average defined benefit pension worth £1.1m in 2018-19, according to new research from the TaxPayers’ Alliance.

DB schemes still fit for purpose

When Michelle Ostermann came to the UK to work for RPMI Railpen, in the beginning of 2019, she was surprised by the number of closed corporate defined benefit schemes in the UK.

Accounting rules change could see charities leave multi-employer DB

On the go: Charities participating in multi-employer defined benefit schemes will have to disclose their individual liabilities, which could lead to these organisations opting to leave and setting up their own final salary plan, an expert warned.

Time to get creative with member communication

Maria Espadinha

Trustees should find new ways of engaging with members about pension scams, writes deputy editor Maria Espadinha

When doing the right thing can get you stung

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How trustees can avoid maladministration claims over pension transfer scams.

Master trusts forced to up reserves due to levy increase

Master trusts will be hit twice by a general levy increase, since in addition to a cost hike these schemes will also have to boost their reserves in case of a wind-up, and face added scrutiny from the regulator as a revised business plan could be expected.

Third of schemes facilitating financial advice to members

On the go: One-third (34 per cent) of defined benefit scheme trustees are facilitating financial advice for their members as they approach retirement, new research found.

Calls for next government to revive multi-employer schemes bill

On the go: The boss of a small Scottish plumbing company who was hit with a £1.2m pensions bill is calling for the next government to revive a 2018 proposal, which would end the current issues affecting sponsors of the Plumbing and Mechanical Services Industry Pension Scheme.