Latest articles from Tom Higgins

Budget 2021: Missed opportunity to tackle pensions ‘ticking time-bomb’

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Following a Budget speech light on pensions policy announcements, the industry has been weighing in on what has been revealed, including a consultation on the charge cap and a new tax relief for low earners in net pay schemes, while others say that the chancellor has not done enough to address industry concerns.

Budget 2021: Government announces net pay tax relief top-up

HM treasury logo (teaser)

Individuals making pension contributions to net pay schemes from 2024-25 will be eligible to claim a top-up, the government has confirmed, while a £71m investment has been earmarked for modernising pensions tax relief administration.

Schemes enable more CO2 than entire UK carbon footprint

ESG spotlight

ESG spotlight: A roundup of the latest news on environmental, social and governance initiatives, including analysis showing the UK’s pensions market would be in the top 20 global carbon emitters if it was a country, and a study concluding that less than 1 per cent of fund assets are Paris-aligned.

Public sector pensions cost £57bn more than declared, report finds

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The government is misleading parliament and the public over the cost to the taxpayer of public sector pensions, a report from the Institute of Economic Affairs has claimed, while raising further questions around the visibility of these pension schemes.

Regulators to push forward with preparations for dashboards

News on the go

On the go: The Pensions Dashboards Programme has confirmed that its partner organisations, including the Financial Conduct Authority and the Pensions Regulator, are set to begin work on progressing the dashboards programme.

UK must take lessons from abroad to successfully integrate CDC

News on the go

On the go: The UK must look to the international experience of collectivised pension schemes and prioritise effective member communications, the Work and Pensions Committee has heard.

Cushon launches new private markets investment strategy

News on the go

On the go: Master trust Cushon has launched a new investment strategy that will see a 15 per cent allocation to private markets, in an attempt to “reduce investment risk”.

FCA pushes ahead with new illiquids fund for DC schemes

FCA

Pension funds will have access to a Long-Term Asset Fund regime following changes made by the Financial Conduct Authority, with special flexibility afforded to defined contribution schemes to invest in illiquid assets.

Trustee body calls for FCA action on manager voting policies

News on the go

On the go: The Association of Member Nominated Trustees has called for regulatory action from the Financial Conduct Authority after a review found that a majority of fund managers “promise no meaningful action” in their climate change voting policies.

Estate agents bring legal action against Purplebricks in pensions row

News on the go

On the go: Online estate agency Purplebricks is facing legal action from more than 100 of its self-employed estate agents, who claim they are entitled to a workplace pension, contributions and holiday pay.