All Law & regulation articles – Page 123

  • Features

    John Menzies signs MoU ahead of sectionalisation

    2017-04-05T00:00:00Z

    A memorandum of understanding has been signed by John Menzies and trustees of its pension scheme as it has closed the scheme and plans to begin a sectionalisation process, but experts have highlighted that this sort of agreement is rarely legally binding.

  • Features

    Lisa still needs to find its place as launch date arrives

    2017-04-04T00:00:00Z

    The lifetime Isa launched on Thursday, so why are there not more providers offering the product straight away, and what is the likely uptake when it comes to using the vehicle for retirement saving?

  • News

    Lawyer survey highlights lack of clearance sought from regulator

    2017-04-03T00:00:00Z

    Just 21 per cent of pensions and restructuring lawyers normally suggest that clients go through the Pensions Regulator’s clearing process, reflecting a similar decrease in clearance applications submitted.

  • Getty Images
    News

    Arcadia agrees shorter recovery plans as Green feels pressure

    2017-04-03T00:00:00Z

    Arcadia Group has agreed to increase its scheduled contributions to its two pension schemes, a sign that public pressure and 'naming and shaming' may be having some impact.

  • Getty Images
    News

    Industry unconvinced by MPs' funder of last resort concerns

    2017-03-31T00:00:00Z

    Amendments to the pension schemes bill requiring member representation on mastertrust boards and a funder of last resort have been rejected by the House of Commons, amid concern from opposition politicians about a lack of oversight.

  • News

    TPR guidance: Welcome set of principles or waste of time?

    2017-03-30T00:00:00Z

    While some have welcomed the Pensions Regulator’s recently published and extensive collection of investment guidance for those running defined benefit pension schemes, there are some concerns over the effectiveness of the information for time-stretched or less diligent trustees.

  • News

    Dashboard prototype launch prompts next steps

    2017-03-30T00:00:00Z

    Plans to deliver a pensions dashboard prototype by March 2017 have been completed, despite the complex nature of technology infrastructure involved. But while experts think the progress is encouraging, they say more needs to be done to maintain this momentum.  

  • Opinion

    Industry reaps rewards of apprenticeship programmes, but challenges remain

    2017-03-29T00:00:00Z

    Any other business: Apprenticeships are on the rise in the pensions industry, and while they appeal to an increasing number of people as a debt-free alternative to university, the apprenticeship levy and the prospect of jumping straight into a full-time job are still hurdles to be overcome.

  • News

    IA consults on cost disclosure code amid data overload concerns

    2017-03-28T00:00:00Z

    The Investment Association is calling for views on a proposed industry code on disclosure of charges and transaction costs, as some have stressed the importance of making such data easy to interpret.

  • News

    Face-to-face comms can sweeten 'unpalatable' news

    2017-03-23T00:00:00Z

    With the world of pensions constantly changing, employers and trustees are investing more time, effort and resources into liaising with members, but face-to-face communication has been deemed particularly effective when it comes to bad news.

  • News

    CPS 'auto-protection' call reignites freedoms debate

    2017-03-23T00:00:00Z

    Thinktank the Centre for Policy Studies has highlighted the need to shield savers from financial risks in later life through the idea of “auto-protection”, with the introduction of auto-drawdown, followed by auto-annuitisation at age 80. 

  • News

    Lack of savings highlights importance of state pension

    2017-03-21T00:00:00Z

    The number of women retiring without a pension has dropped, new research shows, but nearly 14 per cent of people have not made provisions for their retirement, highlighting the significance of the state pension for savers.

  • Clive Weber
    Opinion

    A straitjacket for overseas transfers

    2017-03-20T00:00:00Z

    From the blog: Gone are the days of UK scheme members moving to sunnier climes and transferring pension benefits to wherever in the world best suited.

  • News

    CDC could refocus industry on purposeful finance

    2017-03-17T00:00:00Z

    Refocusing the industry on the purpose of finance could deliver huge benefits to UK pensions, a new academic paper has suggested, as calls were lodged for the resurrection of collective defined contribution.

  • News

    NICs U-turn puts pension tax back on the table

    2017-03-16T00:00:00Z

    Chancellor Philip Hammond has cancelled plans to increase class 4 national insurance contributions for the self-employed, creating a £2bn shortfall in the nation’s accounts between 2018 and 2022, which many fear will be plugged by changes to pension tax relief.

  • News

    Pensions fail to convince savers but attitudes are expected to change

    2017-03-16T00:00:00Z

    Fewer than half of people view workplace pensions as the most secure form of retirement savings, but experts have said attitudes towards saving for the future could change, driven by the current housing shortage, auto-enrolment developments and the demise of defined benefit pension funds.

  • Getty Images
    News

    How would Scottish independence impact schemes?

    2017-03-13T00:00:00Z

    Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon will seek a second referendum on Scottish independence, to be held by spring of 2019, triggering concerns about the challenges a Yes vote would pose to UK pensions.

  • News

    FCA throws cold water on IA input ambitions

    2017-03-09T00:00:00Z

    PLSA Investment Conference 2017: The Financial Conduct Authority’s director of strategy and competition Christopher Woolard has said he does not want to be bound by industry initiatives in making new rules for asset managers.

  • News

    AE review: Tension between engagement and inertia comes to the fore

    2017-03-09T00:00:00Z

    PLSA Investment Conference 2017: With the Department for Work and Pensions’ review of auto-enrolment underway, advisory groups are seeking views on engagement, contributions and coverage, but questions remain over the necessity of engagement and the pensions reality in other countries. 

  • Getty Images
    News

    Spring Budget focus on self-employed lets industry hope for more

    2017-03-08T00:00:00Z

    The chancellor’s focus on the self-employed could pave the way for bringing the group into the pension system, some experts have said, as the spring Budget brings no significant news on pensions.