All Pinsent Masons articles – Page 4
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NewsField: Members should have first claim on assets
Work and Pensions Committee chair Frank Field wants pension scheme members to have first claim on any assets from bankrupt sponsors, a debate on scrapping limited liability, and hopes to start an independent action group to support trustees.
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News
PPF consultation on contingent assets will create 'winners and losers'
The Pension Protection Fund has responded to concerns about ambiguity in the wording of its contingent asset agreements, with the launch of a consultation to examine the role of such assets in calculating the PPF levy.
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NewsOrchestra votes for lower pay rise to up pensions
Members of the Royal Opera House orchestra have voted in favour of taking a lower pay rise to fund an improved pension scheme for new and future members, a decision that has struck a chord with experts.
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News
FCA sounds alarm over unsuitable DB transfer advice
Fewer than half of defined benefit transfer advice processes are “suitable”, according to analysis by the Financial Conduct Authority, raising concerns over the lack of communication between introducing companies and transfer specialists.
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NewsPension law slowly catches up with society on equal rights
The Supreme Court has overruled the Equalities Act 2010 in Walker v Innospec, meaning pension schemes can no longer refuse pensions to same-sex spouses for pre-2005 service, but has stopped short of giving equal pension rights to a part-time worker.
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NewsFCA transfer proposals welcomed but timeline draws criticism
The Financial Conduct Authority’s new proposals on pension transfers have been widely welcomed across the industry, but concerns around the 2018 implementation of the final rules remain.
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FeaturesHP sets up trustee company in simplification push
The Hewlett Packard Limited Retirement Benefits Plan has changed the structure of its trustee board to a trustee company, in a move to simplify processes while increasing scrutiny of trustee actions.
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News
Government's s75 proposals are a 'missed opportunity'
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.
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News
Government to appeal ruling on discrimination
The government is set to appeal the employment tribunal’s recent verdict that more than 200 judges suffered discrimination as a result of pension changes. Meanwhile, the Fire Brigades Union is planning to challenge the result of a similar discrimination case, which it lost this year.
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Opinion
What to look out for with age-based contribution structures
As defined contribution schemes are now often the sole pension scheme open to employees, DC scheme design, including the option of having age-related contributions, takes centre-stage. So what needs to be kept in mind to avoid age discrimination?
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FeaturesShipbuilding members can board public sector scheme
The Shipbuilding Industries Pension Scheme has given certain members of its Fleet Support section the choice to rejoin a public service pension scheme as part of the government’s 'new fair deal' policy, but experts say it might not all be plain sailing.
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NewsChancellor proposes ban on cold calling, refrains from pensions tax overhaul
In his first and last Autumn Statement, Chancellor Philip Hammond swapped the timing of the Budget and the Statement but had comparatively little to say about pensions for now; one of the larger measures – a consultation into pensions fraud – was welcomed by the industry.
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NewsDiageo’s Care scheme proposal highlights struggle over DB provision
Two unions are balloting members over industrial action in a pensions dispute with Diageo, as the UK-based multinational proposes replacing its final salary scheme with a career average arrangement.
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OpinionClosure cases: How trade unions are changing tack
It is not uncommon to hear of trade unions stepping in to protect defined benefit provision for members, as final salary schemes continue to close. But with a greater focus on defined contribution adequacy, union approaches to closure cases are evolving.
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FeaturesEdinburgh University proposes raft of changes to plug scheme deficit
The University of Edinburgh has proposed a number of changes to its defined benefit pension fund to make the scheme more affordable and sustainable, as its deficit has risen by a quarter.
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Features
Employers congregate to solve Baptist scheme deficit
The Baptist Union of Great Britain has established an employer group to develop a strategy for plugging the scheme’s increased deficit.
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OpinionFCA has fundamental part to play in regulating workplace pensions
There are many risks in regulated pensions waters, say Pinsent Masons’ Tom Barton and Tobin Ashby, so how can trustees and employers navigate them?
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News
Uptick in scams prompts call for tighter regulation
A recent increase in reports of suspected pension scams has been called “the tip of the iceberg”, as experts said tighter legislation would help schemes ensure their members do not lose hard-earned retirement savings.
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Opinion
Change in law is needed to stop scammers, experts say
Scam activity could be present in as much as 11 per cent of pension transfer requests, consultancy Xafinity has found. Trustees and lawyers say legal constraints prevent them from protecting individuals.
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News
Proposed early exit charge cap gets mixed response
The Financial Conduct Authority yesterday proposed capping exit charges at 1 per cent of pot value for existing contracts, while banning them altogether for future contracts.