All Office for National Statistics articles – Page 4
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News
Pensions fail to convince savers but attitudes are expected to change
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.
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News
Increase caps add to rules lottery amid inflation spike
The consumer price index spiked by almost half a per cent in the year to December 2016, narrowing the ‘rules lottery’ gap between the official inflation measure and the retail price index.
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News
Industry divided over CPIH
The Office for National Statistics has recently said it will make the consumer price index including owner-occupiers’ housing costs its preferred measure for gauging inflation next year, so should the government follow suit for pension indexation and revaluation?
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OpinionSelf-employed underdogs?
Editorial: If you ask Uber drivers why they work for the app, they generally reply that while the pay per client is less, there is no downtime between customers and they are free to choose when they want to work.
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News
CPI and RPI gap at largest for five years as schemes eye law change
The retail price index and consumer price index were the farthest apart they have been for five years in last month’s inflation figures, prompting debate that legislation could level the playing field for schemes using RPI for benefit increases.
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News
Altmann slams PPF cap change delays
If Baroness Ros Altmann was less outspoken on issues of reform during her stint as pensions minister, she is certainly making up for lost time, launching her fourth attack on government policy in almost as many days.
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OpinionWhat a move to CPIH could mean for UK pension schemes
Analysis: A letter from the Office for National Statistics recently cast ripples of doubt over the future shape of UK consumer inflation statistics; a move to consumer price inflation including housing, or even a household inflation index could have far-reaching effects on UK pension fund benefits and liabilities.
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News
Voluntary saving is vital to avert poor pension outcomes
Data Analysis: Auto-enrolment and voluntary pension saving are critical to ensure good outcomes for UK retirees, a report looking at international replacement rates has this week has warned.
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OpinionWhat difference can switching to CPI make?
What difference does a percentage point in inflation make? The difference between a deficit and no deficit, argues Broadstone’s John Broome Saunders, who compares the RPI and CPI measures.
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OpinionSafe as houses?
Editorial: How individuals assess risk and reward is extremely complex. Data from the Office for National Statistics this week showed people would prefer to take a punt on property over pensions to deliver a retirement income.
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Opinion
Nanny state necessary? What the ONS data says on the need to nudge
From the blog: Every morning and evening, I have to convince my three-year-old to brush her teeth. I try to make it as fun as possible, but really we both know it’s not a fun task – for either of us – it’s just something that has to be done.
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News
New peak for pension saving, focus turns to adequacy
Data analysis: Scheme membership has reached fresh highs among the UK population but industry experts are calling for greater government intervention to boost contributions and to stop individuals falling through the cracks.
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OpinionMinded to make the money last?
From the blog: So, only around one in eight over-40s plans to cash in more than half of their pension pot.
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News
Just months left to tackle contracting-out costs, consultants say
Consultants have urged defined benefit scheme trustees and sponsors to take action as the one-year countdown to the end of contracting-out approaches.
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Opinion
Schemes make record gilts investment, and three other key ONS charts
Schemes invested heavily in fixed income assets – including government, corporate and overseas bonds – last quarter. Anticipated rate rises, schemes derisking out of equities and even switching from synthetic to real gilt holdings have all been investment drivers.
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Opinion
Webb: tide finally turning on retirement saving
Figures released last week from the Office for National Statistics indicate that after decades of decline, the tide is finally turning and people are embracing pension saving.
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News
The Cut – Four lessons from the latest ONS pensions data
The Office for National Statistics revealed last week auto-enrolment has so far boosted the proportion of employees that belong to a workplace pension to 50 per cent from 47 per cent.
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News
Micro scheme membership slumps as market consolidates
Data analysis: The total membership of small schemes with between two and 11 members has fallen by two-thirds over recent years as the market consolidates and auto-enrolment beds in.
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NewsInvestment peaks as schemes buy cheaper gilts
News analysis: UK pension funds hit a record of £17bn of net investments during the second quarter, largely as a result of schemes taking advantage of lower bond prices, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.
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NewsPension contributions illustrate DB/DC divide
Data analysis: Employer contribution rates are on the rise in defined contribution schemes but are still significantly lower than defined benefit employer contributions, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.