All pension reform articles – Page 3
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PodcastsPodcast: Uncertainty around inflation leads to ‘casino pensions’
Podcast: High levels of volatility around inflation will force trustees to “take a bet” on the future, as it is very difficult — absent a crystal ball — to predict inflationary pressure and its impact on scheme liabilities, says Pension Playpen chief executive Steve Goddard. He is joined by Cardano managing director Emily Goodridge to discuss inflation, technology in pensions, and the future of environmental, social and governance disclosure.
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NewsMcCloud remedy causes three of four schemes to breach cost cap
The Government Actuary’s Department has published the cost cap valuations of four public sector schemes, confirming that the cost of implementing the McCloud remedy has led to a breach of the cost control mechanism, cancelling previously-agreed benefits increases.
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NewsGMP guidance ‘helpful’ but ‘could have gone further’ on conversion
The government’s supplementary guidance on guaranteed minimum pensions equalisation was broadly welcomed by the industry as it could save trustees “time and money”, but some have cautioned that the section on conversion will make little difference without legislation.
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NewsOpperman calls for industry input on CDC expansion
On the go: Pensions minister Guy Opperman has called on the industry to work with government on expanding the nascent collective defined contribution market, though experts have previously warned that draft regulations are too strict to allow for real growth in the sector.
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NewsGovt to consult on McCloud tax legislation this summer
On the go: The government has committed to provide tax-free compensation to members who choose reformed scheme as opposed to legacy scheme benefits under the McCloud remedy, and will consult on the necessary legislation in the summer.
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NewsGovt allocates £425mn for teachers’ remedy back payments
On the go: The government has allocated £425mn for back payments to members of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, and others within scope of the Goodwin ruling from 2020.
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NewsPublic sector scheme members get retirement calculator
On the go: The Government Actuary’s Department has released an online tool designed to help public sector scheme members better understand their options for benefits and retirement.
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NewsTeachers accept GDST pensions offer but union remains concerned
Further industrial action at the Girls’ Day School Trust has been averted after teachers accepted an updated pensions and pay offer from the trust, though the National Education Union has refused to endorse it.
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NewsUSS discourages use of alternative benefits modellers
On the go: The Universities Superannuation Scheme has discouraged members from using alternative benefits modellers to work out how they will fare following the conclusion of the scheme’s 2020 valuation, warning that they operate on very different assumptions to those agreed by employers and the trustee.
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NewsGovt’s dashboard proposals cause widespread industry concerns
The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association has recommended three thresholds that must be met before pensions dashboards are launched to the public, but there is widespread industry concern around liability for incorrect or misinterpreted information, and significant doubts whether its launch is achievable by the government’s preferred dates.
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NewsGovt to compensate judges for additional McCloud tax bills
The Ministry of Justice has announced it will compensate judges who incur additional tax liabilities as a result of the immediate choice they will take later this year, while other departments left their proposals largely unchanged following consultations on phase one of the McCloud remedy.
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NewsStrike suspended as schools and unions meet over teachers’ pensions
On the go: Unions have suspended plans for more strike action at 23 private schools to allow talks to take place over planned changes to teachers’ pensions.
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NewsMcCloud legislation on track for April
On the go: Secondary legislation necessary for the implementation of the McCloud remedy is on track to be published by April 1, and another round of consultations is due before October, the government has confirmed.
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NewsSurvivors must wait for McCloud remedy for pensions clarity
Survivors of deceased public sector scheme members may have to wait for the McCloud remedy to be implemented before discovering whether they are entitled to any of their spouse’s pension, a government minister has said.
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NewsCommuters face travel chaos as TfL workers strike over pension cuts
Commuters on the London Underground face two days of travel chaos as Transport for London staff strike over planned pension cuts.
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NewsGovt proposes ‘find and view’ dashboards amid public sector delay
The government will be moving forward with the ‘find and view’ functionality on pensions dashboards from launch day, despite industry concerns about the size of the task ahead, while it acknowledged that public sector schemes will only be onboarded in 2024 due to the “considerable work” caused by the McCloud remedy.
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NewsOpperman declines to give timetable for auto-enrolment expansion
Industry experts have expressed disappointment at the lack of a timetable for expanding auto-enrolment, following a debate on the topic in Westminster Hall.
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NewsTPR to accept CDC applications from August
The Pensions Regulator has published its draft code of practice governing authorisation for collective defined contribution schemes, and is set to begin accepting applications from August.
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NewsPolice officers reiterate McCloud criticisms in consultation response
A campaign group representing police officers dissatisfied with the government’s handling of the 2015 public sector pension reforms have reiterated their complaints in response to the McCloud consultation, calling for the changes to be reversed.
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NewsSolvency II reform could unlock ‘tens of billions’ in investments
On the go: The reform of the EU’s Solvency II requirements would unlock a “Brexit bonus” amounting to “tens of billions” of pounds in long-term infrastructure investment, according to a new report from the Pension Insurance Corporation.