All Policy articles – Page 4
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NewsGovt rejects appeal to make NHS scheme tax-unregistered
The government has rejected a petition to make the NHS pension scheme tax-unregistered, arguing that the loss of tax-relief and lump sums “would not benefit the vast majority of members”.
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NewsCalls for stewardship code to engage members as well as managers
On the go: The Financial Reporting Council’s stewardship code must “look both ways” and engage members as well as asset managers in developing guidance and standards, according to fintech company Tumelo.
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NewsPublic sector retirees face higher exit payment scrutiny
Substantial exit payments resulting from pension strain arrangements in the public sector will likely see people nearing retirement having their cases referred to HM Treasury, under a proposed new regime.
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NewsScams action group gets six-figure budget to tackle fraud
On the go: The Pension Scams Action Group, a renamed and revamped Project Bloom, is to get a six-figure budget to tackle scams across the next year, with the prospect of more to come.
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NewsGovt to consult on further LGPS McCloud regulations in 2023
On the go: The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is to consult on further regulations governing the application of the McCloud remedy to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
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NewsTruss hints at doctors’ pension fix
On the go: Conservative party leadership candidate Liz Truss has said she will “sort out” the problems with doctors’ pensions in a bid to tackle the staff retention crisis, though she has not yet said how she would go about doing this.
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NewsLGPS board presses new ministers on TCFD timetable
On the go: The Scheme Advisory Board of the Local Government Pension Scheme has written to two newly appointed government ministers urging them to commit to a timetable for scheme reform, as fears mount that important consultations could be delayed.
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NewsBW’s Sara Cook elected president of the Pensions Management Institute
On the go: The Pensions Management Institute has appointed Barnett Waddingham principal Sara Cook as its president.
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PodcastsPodcast: Providers delaying transfers are failing their customers
Podcast: The Department for Work and Pensions has been clear about the intent of regulations governing transfers, and providers continuing to delay them are doing their members a disservice, argues PensionBee founder Romi Savova. She is joined by Penfold co-founder Pete Hykin to discuss the ongoing transfer fight, the fallout from pensions minister Guy Opperman’s resignation that wasn’t, and employers misunderstanding auto-enrolment.
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NewsGovt writes off £483,000 as Aon completes Maxwell scheme wind-up
Aon has overseen the wind-up of the AGB Pension Scheme, the last of the so-called “Maxwell pension schemes” supported by Aon Trustees Limited, with the aid of a £483,294 write-off by the government.
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NewsGovernment resignations throw pensions into ‘turmoil’
Collapsing scenery in and around Downing Street has sparked fear in the pensions industry, as the resignation of pensions minister Guy Opperman brings important reforms to a halt.
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NewsOpperman rebuffs Timms’ FAS criticism
On the go: Prior to his resignation, pensions minister Guy Opperman rejected Work and Pensions Committee chair Sir Stephen Timms’ criticisms over the Financial Assistance Scheme compensation cap.
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NewsDWP fails to end transfer ‘war’ between PensionBee and providers
Attempts by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Pensions Regulator to clarify the intent behind rules governing pension transfers have failed to settle the matter between PensionBee and providers it accused of wrongdoing, as critics say intent does not trump law.
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NewsDWP’s consultation on DB funding regulations expected in July
On the go: A long-awaited Department for Work and Pensions consultation into regulations underpinning the new defined benefit funding code is expected towards the end of July, putting the code on track to launch in late 2023, according to a spokesperson from the Pensions Regulator.
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NewsPensionBee reports providers to DWP alleging transfer rules abuse
PensionBee has reported a number of providers to the Department for Work and Pensions, accusing them of exploiting regulatory loopholes to obstruct and delay transfers.
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PodcastsPodcast: Schemes will have a tough job weighing up discretionary increases
Podcast: A difficult balance must be struck where schemes are considering discretionary increases: alleviating the cost of living crisis for some members will have to be weighed against the needs of the current workforce. Aon partner Lynda Whitney is joined by Tim Middleton, director of policy and external affairs at the Pensions Management Institute, to discuss this dilemma, as well as the progress of the McCloud remedy and schemes’ dashboard readiness.
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NewsMP calls for inquiry into war pension claims process
An MP has called for an inquiry into alleged failings by the War Pension Scheme and the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, asking whether the claims process for injured veterans is fit for purpose.
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NewsIndustry calls for clarity on TPR’s enforcement powers
Industry experts, though broadly supportive of the Pensions Regulator’s approach to its new enforcement powers, have nonetheless called for additional clarity in how they will be used, with some concerned that outcomes could be determined in part by “luck”.
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PodcastsPodcast: LGPS faces affordability, engagement and policy challenges
Podcast: The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association’s 2022 local authority conference unearthed the challenges facing the Local Government Pension Scheme and its employer members, including affordability, engagement and policy reforms. Recorded from the conference floor, Pensions Expert was joined by PLSA’s head of defined benefit, LGPS and investment Tiffany Tsang and West Midlands Pension Fund’s director of pensions Rachel Brothwood to discuss new research into the LGPS and what can be done to help employers.
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News‘Broad dissatisfaction’ felt over govt’s pensions policy
On the go: Dissatisfaction has mounted over the government’s handling of pensions policy during the past year.