Jon Yarker
Jon is a freelance journalist and occasional contributor to Pensions Expert.
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NewsMarkets sanguine after drama-filled Budget day
UK equity and government bond prices have risen slightly in the immediate aftermath of chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget speech, despite a turbulent day in parliament.
NewsIndustry calls for government to address pre-Budget speculation ‘mania’
Speculation around this week’s Budget has drawn criticism from the pensions industry, with several commentators warning that widespread rumours had prompted people to make irreversible financial decisions.
NewsPensions and IHT: Rule tweak welcomed but industry warns on complexity
Personal representatives will be able to direct pension administrators to withhold 50% of taxable death benefits in order to pay inheritance tax, according to a note in the Budget speech.
NewsGovernment to introduce pre-97 indexation for PPF and FAS members
The chancellor has pledged to allow the Pension Protection Fund to share its reserves with members whose benefits do not automatically increase in line with inflation.
NewsBritish Coal pensioners to share in £2.3bn investment reserve
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that the investment reserve would be transferred to British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme members, following a similar decision last year affecting the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme.
NewsSalary sacrifice cap confirmed after OBR accidentally publishes report early [updated]
A £2,000 cap was widely rumoured beforehand, and confirmed after the Office for Budget Responsibility inadvertently published its report before Rachel Reeves began her speech.
FeaturesPension funds, venture capital, and the government’s drive for growth
Despite a big push from the government to encourage greater pension investment into UK alternatives, there seems to be little initial activity from pension funds in relation to venture capital investing.
NewsLawyers call for more guidance on Virgin Media ruling effects
Speakers at an SPP webinar say additional guidance on section 37 cases is needed despite the government’s pledge to mitigate the effects of the Virgin Media ruling through amendments to the Pension Schemes Bill.
NewsMajority of DB schemes ‘need covenant work’ before surplus can be released
Covenant experts say pension fund trustee boards must ensure their sponsor covenant information reflects their surplus position and is appropriate to support any future surplus release decisions.
NewsNext ‘value for money’ consultation to come later this year, FCA says
The Financial Conduct Authority, the Pensions Regulator, and the Department for Work and Pensions are planning a further consultation on the Value for Money framework later this year.
FeaturesHow pension funds are handling US equity concentration risk
With more of the US market’s fate tied up in a handful of enormous technology stocks, investment teams are having to reconsider their exposure, as Jon Yarker reports.
NewsHow pension schemes have reassured members through the ‘taper tantrum’
Equity markets have endured significant volatility over the past two weeks since the US introduced international trade tariffs on most of its trading partners. Jon Yarker looks at how pension schemes have reacted and helped their members understand the situation.
NewsOutlook 2025: The pensions industry’s wishlist for the new year
Pensions Expert spoke to six major industry groups to find out what they want to see happen in 2025, from the Pensions Review and the Pension Schemes Bill to trustee powers and improvements to member outcomes.
FeaturesOutlook 2025: DC investors hunt out private markets opportunities
Could 2025 be the year that defined contribution (DC) pension schemes finally break into private markets?
NewsThe importance of trust for dashboard success
Greater engagement between the British public and their retirement provisions is essential to the successful rollout of pension dashboards, according to panellists at an industry event.
NewsDashboards: ‘All systems go’ as deadlines approach
The development of the pensions dashboards ecosystem is on track to be ready for the first connection deadlines in April 2025.
FeaturesHow LDI managers are getting ready for the rest of 2024
Following recent warnings about a potential return of deflation, the onus is on LDI managers to ensure their portfolios are prepared.
NewsSchemes relying on dashboard rollout face data ‘nightmare’
Trustees and pension managers should not rely on the dashboard system to fix their data problems for them, according to panellists at a Pensions Dashboards Week event.
NewsPMI predicts compulsory auto-enrolment by 2045
Higher contribution rates and compulsory participation should be the future of the UK’s auto-enrolment regime, according to panellists at an industry event.
FeaturesCDC: Making progress towards a collective goal
This year may finally see the first collective defined contribution (CDC) pension go live in the UK, but doubts remain over how the structure could benefit the wider pension landscape.