All Professional trustees 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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NewsElectricity pensioners launch campaign amid inflation fears
The Association of Electricity Supply Pensioners has launched a campaign to protect the benefits of more than 100,000 members of the Electricity Supply Pension Scheme, amid fears that pension increases that do not match inflation could amount to significant losses.
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NewsTimms backs members amid ‘slow’ Norton resolution
Stephen Timms, chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, has written to the Pensions Regulator to describe the “frustratingly slow” process facing members of the schemes of which funds were invested in Norton Motorcycles, as well as complaints about communications from the trustee, Dalriada.
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NewsTPR funding statement flags uncertainty impact for valuations
High levels of uncertainty surrounding inflation, interest rates, mortality, energy prices and economic growth will put additional pressure on trustees completing their tranche 17 valuations this year, according to the Pensions Regulator’s annual funding statement.
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NewsContribution notice of £3.6mn hints at ‘new era’ of TPR powers
Legal commentators have hailed what could be the start of a “new era” in the Pensions Regulator’s enforcement powers after its determinations panel handed down a contribution notice for more than £3mn to two individuals connected with the Meghraj Group Pensions Scheme.
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NewsProfessional trustee market expected to grow and consolidate
Data crunch: The professional trustee market is expected to grow further over the next five years as up to 90 per cent of schemes make appointments, but the number of large companies is expected to almost halve, according to new research.
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NewsUSS and University of Southampton make AVC blunder
On the go: The Pensions Ombudsman has partially upheld a complaint against the University of Southampton and the Universities Superannuation Scheme trustee after a communication lapse saw a member continue to make annual voluntary contributions after her policy had ended.
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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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NewsCharge cap proposals criticised as govt launches illiquids consultation
The government has said it will “take time to consider” industry concerns around its proposals to exclude performance fees from the charge cap, and has launched a combined consultation into other ways in which to encourage defined contribution schemes to invest in illiquid assets.
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NewsRegulator's notifiable events regime could be delayed
On the go: Industry commentators are asking whether the Pensions Regulator’s new notifiable events regime might be delayed, as the government has yet to respond to last year’s consultation into the expansion of the regulator’s powers.
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NewsPASA covers crossovers, tax and death benefits in GMP guidance
On the go: The Pensions Administration and Standards Association has launched guidance tacking frequently asked questions around guaranteed minimum pension equalisation, including tax implications, death benefits, commutation, and the ‘look-back’ approach for crossover members.
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NewsRegulator’s CDC plans risk strangling the sector at its birth
The Pensions Regulator’s draft code of practice for collective defined contribution schemes is unnecessarily strict and risks severely hampering growth in the sector, industry bodies have warned.
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NewsPlumbing Pensions to use member funds to fight section 75 claims
The Court of Session in Edinburgh has granted Plumbing Pensions permission to use member funds to defend against legal claims from employers over its pursuit of section 75 liabilities.
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NewsTPR’s web-based scheme return questions cause industry mayhem
Actuaries, trustees and consultants are disappointed with a new method introduced by the Pensions Regulator for scheme returns, pointing out that a web-based form with additional questions implemented this year has increased the risk of providing wrong information.
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NewsTPR not ruling out ‘value for money’ league tables
On the go: The Pensions Regulator is considering league tables as a way of implementing a new value for money framework for pension schemes, though it is not “leaning towards” them at present.
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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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NewsOpperman promises GMP conversion tax fix
On the go: Pensions minister Guy Opperman has clarified some of the provisions in a bill regarding guaranteed minimum pensions conversion, and pledged to work with HM Revenue & Customs on the tax implications.
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NewsHigh Court resolves Merchant Navy ill-health pensions conundrum
The High Court has approved a settlement over ill-health benefits in the Merchant Navy Ratings Pension Fund, which will see members compensated via lump sum arrears and increased pensions to those who had not been treated in accordance with scheme rules.
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NewsCornish pension scheme agrees £11mn buyout with L&G
On the go: The circa £11mn Cornish Mutual Assurance Company Staff Pension Scheme has agreed a buyout with Legal & General Assurance Society.
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NewsPrivate schools offer olive branch over teachers’ pension strikes
The Girl’s Day School Trust has made a new offer to teachers striking over plans to withdraw from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, but unions have branded the proposal “very disappointing”.