More Law & Regulation – Page 114

  • News

    Schemes urged to take action on data security

    2017-05-25T00:00:00Z

    Pension schemes must use the next 12 months to review and update data protection practices, industry experts have urged, ahead of new rules which could result in huge fines for trustees.

  • Getty Images
    News

    BA judgment shows value of diligent minute-taking

    2017-05-22T00:00:00Z

    British Airways has lost a legal battle against the Airways Pension Scheme involving the trustees' decision to introduce a 0.2 per cent discretionary increase, as experts have stressed the importance of carefully documenting all decision-making processes.

  • News

    Advice suitable but disclosure too complex, finds FCA

    2017-05-18T00:00:00Z

    The Financial Conduct Authority has published the findings from its review into the suitability of pensions and investment advice, but while the results are reassuring, experts say more needs to be done to make advice less convoluted. 

  • News

    Regulator zeroes in on dividends

    2017-05-17T00:00:00Z

    The Pensions Regulator has targeted employers who pay large dividends while underfunding defined benefit pension schemes in its latest annual funding statement, increasing the pressure on trustees to secure as much funding as possible.

  • Source: Bloomberg
    News

    Blockchain and bitcoin: Trustees urged to adapt to change

    2017-05-12T00:00:00Z

    Many are still unfamiliar with the concept of bitcoin and blockchain, but experts say the pensions industry must engage with technology and accept change to adapt to an increasingly digital world.

  • News

    Industry divided over retrospective changes to pensions

    2017-05-12T00:00:00Z

    Nearly half of pensions professionals and scheme representatives believe that retrospective changes to pensions promises should be allowed, according to a recent survey, suggesting growing concern over the level of defined benefit liabilities.

  • Bloomberg
    News

    Nortel inches closer to PPF-plus as £5bn lockbox opened

    2017-05-09T00:00:00Z

    The Nortel Networks UK Pension Plan is set to receive more than £1bn in assets from its insolvent sponsor Nortel in the coming months, after US and Canadian courts agreed to open a $7bn (£5.4bn) escrow ‘lockbox’.

  • News

    Small employers urged to plan ahead as more miss staging deadline

    2017-05-04T00:00:00Z

    A rising number of small employers are missing their auto-enrolment staging deadline, a new study has shown, as experts highlight the importance of being prepared and planning ahead to make sure employees benefit from a pension. 

  • Getty Images
    News

    MPs call for government to put brakes on 'free riding' gig economy firms

    2017-05-02T00:00:00Z

    The Work and Pensions Committee has called for employee and self-employed national insurance contributions to be equalised, arguing that following the introduction of the new state pension, the self-employed contribute far less.

  • News

    DWP hopes contracted-out transfers will smooth BHS deal

    2017-04-28T00:00:00Z

    The Department for Work and Pensions has published “urgent” regulations for struggling contracted-out schemes, in a bid to protect pensioners during deals such as the regulated apportionment arrangement of BHS.

  • News

    Annuity purchasers regret decision as confusion 'remains rife'

    2017-04-25T00:00:00Z

    Despite widespread confusion, most defined contribution savers are happy with the retirement choices they have made in light of the introduction of freedom and choice, with the exception of those who have purchased an annuity, a  survey has found.

  • News

    Government's s75 proposals are a 'missed opportunity'

    2017-04-24T00:00:00Z

    Experts have welcomed the government’s recent consultation proposing a new deferred debt arrangement for employers in multi-employer pension schemes, but concerns over complexity of employer debt regulation remain.

  • Source: Bloomberg
    News

    Election news sparks industry speculation

    2017-04-19T00:00:00Z

    Prime Minister Theresa May’s announcement of a snap general election on June 8 this year has left pension commentators divided over the effect this might have on pensions policy.

  • Bloomberg
    News

    Experts call for mandatory guidance as FCA targets advice take-up

    2017-04-19T00:00:00Z

    The Financial Conduct Authority will prioritise retirement income provision within pensions in 2017-18, addressing perceived problems with consumers who do not take regulated financial advice, as some argue schemes should organise Pension Wise sessions by default.

  • News

    Labour's pension pledge card comes in for industry cost scrutiny

    2017-04-13T00:00:00Z

    The Labour party has launched a pensioners’ pledge card, promising to extend the triple lock until 2025, compensate some of those affected by increases in women’s state pension age, and to protect the pensions of UK citizens overseas.

  • Bloomberg
    News

    No changes to Johnston Press equalisation despite missing documents

    2017-04-12T00:00:00Z

    A legal dispute involving trustees of the Johnston Press Pension Plan about the equalisation of retirement ages has been put to bed by the Scottish Court of Session, using a quirk of law known as the “presumption of regularity”.

  • News

    FAMR makes headway but experts say further progress is needed

    2017-04-12T00:00:00Z

    The Financial Conduct Authority has published a progress report on its Financial Advice Market Review, alongside a consultation that sets out proposed guidance, but reactions in the pensions industry show there is still a long way to go.

  • News

    Freedom and choice: Engagement improved but confusion remains

    2017-04-06T00:00:00Z

    Two years have passed since the government introduced the pension freedoms, and although the flexibilities have improved engagement to some extent, the increased complexity has also led to confusion.

  • High Court
    News

    Court of Appeal lessens burden on FDR in rule change dispute

    2017-04-05T00:00:00Z

    A High Court judgment on the method for increasing pension payments where a power of amendment was improperly applied has been overturned by the Court of Appeal, lessening the burden on the corporate sponsor.

  • 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.