More Law & Regulation – Page 52
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NewsCalls for an inquiry over teachers’ 7-year contributions gap
Councillors have called for an independent inquiry to determine how 14 members of the Teachers’ Pension Agency found they were missing seven years’ pension contributions from their employer.
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NewsPublic sector schemes told to conclude 2016 valuations
The Government Actuary’s Department has agreed with HM Treasury that its amendments to the cost-control framework used in public sector schemes meet the government’s policy objectives, drawing a line under the troubled 2016 valuation process and allowing public sector schemes to complete these.
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NewsPodcast: Mandating net zero could ‘cut straight through’ fiduciary duties
Podcast: The government mandating default funds be aligned with ‘net zero’ would be a way around concerns about fiduciary responsibility, but there are questions about what this would mean in practice. Stuart O’Brien, partner at Sackers, and Gareth Stears, pensions technical consultant at Aries Insight, discuss environmental, social and governance issues, social housing, and the Pensions Regulator’s controversial criminal powers.
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NewsTPR may leave sponsors ‘guessing’ over potential enforcement action
Sponsors could be “left guessing” as to whether key decisions could lead to enforcement action under new guidelines from the Pensions Regulator, LCP has warned.
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NewsUSS sponsor claims members will be ‘priced out’ without reform
On the go: Universities UK, the group representing 340 Universities Superannuation Scheme employers, has warned that USS members will be priced out of the scheme if the union’s threats of strike action derail reform proposals.
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NewsOmbudsman finds NHS ‘negligent’ failings led to doctor's tax breach
The Pensions Ombudsman has upheld a complaint against the NHS Business Services Authority and Primary Care Support England after they “negligently” failed to provide a GP with tax information and delayed the handling of his pension contributions.
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NewsCMA to investigate Willis Towers Watson deal
On the go: The Competition and Markets Authority has announced an investigation into a planned merger between American insurance brokerage Arthur J Gallagher & Co and Willis Re, Willis Towers Watson’s treaty reinsurance business.
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NewsFCA opts for softer approach to charges comparison in DC schemes
The Financial Conduct Authority is taking a softer approach to cost and charges comparison requirements in defined contribution schemes after listening to industry feedback on its proposed rules.
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NewsTrustees on the hook as ‘high street’ advice market goes into free fall
Trustees are being saddled with the burden of sourcing financial advice for members as the high street advice market goes into free fall, halving in just three years, LCP has said.
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NewsGovt presses ahead on public sector schemes cost-control reform
The government has announced its intention to push ahead with reform of the cost-control mechanism used in public sector pensions, despite criticism from some in the industry.
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NewsPensions tax relief ‘cost’ hits £42bn
On the go: The ‘cost’ of pensions tax relief increased by £4.4bn to £41.3bn between 2017-18 and 2019-20, data from HM Revenue & Customs has shown.
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NewsGovernance burden does not translate into value, industry says
On the go: Pensions professionals have said the burden of the increased level of scheme governance is not worth the value it brings, a survey from XPS Pensions Group has found.
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NewsBritish Steel payouts reach £21.5m
On the go: The Financial Services Compensation Scheme has paid out £21.5m to members of the British Steel Pension Scheme who were wrongly advised to transfer their defined benefit pensions, after payment figures have doubled in the past few months.
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NewsTPR criminal powers policy spurs more industry concern
The Pensions Regulator has published its policy on how it intends to use upcoming criminal powers to prosecute those who fall foul of new legislation, following widespread industry concern into the scope and extent of the powers.
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NewsPPF levy to fall by £105m in 2022-23
On the go: The Pension Protection Fund has announced that it expects to collect £415m from its levy payers in 2022-23, a reduction of £105m from the previous year.
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NewsShould regulators take the lead on ESG in pensions?
The extent to which financial regulators should get involved in setting environmental, social and governance requirements is a hot topic, with some experts arguing that involvement could stifle innovation.
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NewsTPR urges schemes to get GMP equalisation done
On the go: The Pensions Regulator is urging schemes to engage with their administrators and complete guaranteed minimum pensions equalisation, as there is a sense of urgency for older members.
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NewsGuidance needed to boost DC access to illiquid opportunities
New guidance on fund-level liquidity management is required to bolster illiquid investing by defined contribution schemes, the Bank of England has said, despite stopping short of recommending an overhaul of daily dealing requirements.
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NewsPodcast: No way to avoid the indexation ‘rules lottery’ as inflation bites
Podcast: High inflation will spur more schemes to look to switch from the retail price index to the consumer price index, but there is still no way around the “rules lottery”. Eversheds Sutherland partner Stuart Earle and Aon partner Lynda Whitney discuss inflation, the botched attempt to raise the normal minimum pension age, and a new value for money framework.
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NewsTPR warns small schemes: Prove value or wind up
On the go: The Pensions Regulator has warned smaller defined contribution pension schemes they will need to demonstrate their value to members or wind up, as more stringent rules come into force next month.