All Policy articles – Page 8
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NewsBudget 2021: Sunak announces further changes to DC charge cap
Chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak announced on Wednesday that the government will consult “within the next month” on further changes to the charge cap intended to encourage more investment in illiquid assets by defined contribution schemes. But experts have said this is “missing the point”.
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NewsGreen finance roadmap still missing key details
The government has published its “roadmap to sustainable investing”, laying out a number of new reporting requirements. However, some experts have warned that the plan does not go far enough to make a real difference.
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NewsExperts warn against major pension tax changes this autumn
The government’s attempts to source billions of pounds in spending by altering pensions taxation are unlikely to be successful, although the Autumn Budget is unlikely to produce major announcements in this area, experts have said.
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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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PodcastsPodcast: 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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NewsCD&R called to reassure MPs over Morrisons takeover
On the go: Labour and Liberal Democrats MPs have warned Clayton, Dubilier & Rice that it must make guarantees to workers and rule out asset-stripping as it looks set to complete its £7.1bn Morrisons takeover.
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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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NewsGuidance ‘stronger nudge’ still poses more questions than answers
Regulators are unclear about how the take-up levels of pensions guidance should look like as a result of the “stronger nudge”, since parts of the proposal have yet to be tested, the Work and Pensions Committee has heard.
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NewsCalls for climate reporting harmony as FCA and DWP rules diverge
The Financial Conduct Authority’s climate-related disclosure rules for asset managers, life insurers and its regulated pension providers should be brought into line with Department for Work and Pensions regulations to give greater clarity and consistency, the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association has said.
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NewsIndustry fears another missed dashboards deadline
On the go: The pensions industry doubts whether the pensions dashboards will be delivered on time, as more than three-quarters of respondents to a Pensions Management Institute survey said they thought the project would still not be operational by 2023.
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NewsTPR to amend single code as industry slates new requirements
The Pensions Regulator’s combined code of practice has been dealt a blow after widespread industry criticism forced it to scrap new rules on unregulated investments, while the fate of its proposed “own risk assessment” remains uncertain.
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NewsActuaries propose changes to public sector pension increases
The Association of Consulting Actuaries is calling on the government to change the way it calculates pension increases for unfunded public sector schemes, proposing that these are based on economic growth rather than inflation, as this would be “fairer” for future generations of taxpayers.
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NewsPPI to launch pensions framework report by 2022
On the go: The Pensions Policy Institute will be launching its first report providing a picture of trends, issues and outcomes of the UK pensions system in 2022.
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NewsDWP sets up working group to explore ‘statements season’
On the go: The Department for Work and Pensions has established a working group looking at options to develop the ‘statements season’ proposed in its recent simpler annual benefit statements consultation.
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NewsDIY strategies are ‘better and cheaper way’ to do ESG investing
Customisation of index strategies and direct ownership of equities is a more efficient and cost-effective way of investing sustainably than using ‘off-the-shelf’ index products, according to SigTech, which offers quant technologies to investors.
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OpinionWhat should industry know about tomorrow’s pensioners?
As working lives are becoming increasingly heterogeneous and pension contribution levels are directly linked with housing conditions, Pensions Policy Institute head of policy research Daniela Silcock looks at potential solutions that could improve today’s savers retirement options.
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NewsDWP’s ‘vision’ for superfunds to be published later this year
On the go: The Department for Work and Pensions intends to set out its “vision” for the future regulation of superfunds in autumn/winter this year, according to its annual report published on Thursday.
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NewsDB schemes’ ESG policies misaligned with trustees’ intentions
On the go: Only 40 per cent of defined benefit pension scheme trustees believe that their scheme’s environmental, social and governance policy reflects their preferred approach in this area, new research has revealed.
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NewsPension tax change proposals branded ‘tragic’ and ‘crazy’
On the go: Rumours that the Treasury is planning to raid pensions have been branded “tragic” and “crazy” by speakers at a Hymans Robertson webinar, who warned that any reforms harming incentives to save could undo the work put in to boost retirement standards.
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PodcastsPodcast: Tapping DC for Long-Term Assets Fund requires ‘rigorous’ scrutiny
Podcast: HM Treasury’s proposals to tap defined contribution schemes for its new Long-Term Assets Fund is not a bad idea, but problems with daily dealing remain, and it requires the kind of “rigorous” scrutiny applied to other new asset classes. PensionBee chief executive Romi Savova and Jonathan Parker, head of DC and financial wellbeing at Redington, discuss the LTAF, rumours of a tax raid, and the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association’s new Responsible Investment Quality Mark.