All Society of Pension Professionals articles – Page 2
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NewsOpperman has ‘zero sympathy’ for concerns over dashboards’ timeline
Pensions minister Guy Opperman has rebuffed concerns over the timescale of the Pensions Dashboards Programme, adding that the project would have moved at even greater speed if he had his way.
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NewsPensions dashboards standards need ‘extensive user testing’
Respondents to the pensions dashboards standards consultation have warned that user testing and experience will be required before a full assessment can be provided.
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NewsGovernment urged to allow Nest to offer drawdown
The government has been told to amend legislation to allow Nest members to drawdown their pension pot, as well as extending investment pathways to trust-based schemes — requests made as part of a response to its call for evidence on savers’ understanding of their pensions.
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NewsSPP warns of covenant ESG risk, Scottish Widows issues ultimatum
ESG spotlight: A roundup of the latest news on environmental, social and governance initiatives, including the Society of Pension Professionals’ new guide to ESG, and Scottish Widows’ stewardship demands of its asset managers.
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NewsNew SPP president targets DC outcomes
The Society of Pension Professionals’ new president, Steve Hitchiner, has demanded greater focus on outcomes for defined contribution scheme members.
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NewsDashboards timeline and guidance barriers concern industry bodies
Two of the pensions industry’s largest organisations have caveated their broad support for the pensions dashboards project with concerns about timing, consistency and red tape surrounding financial advice.
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NewsPension professionals demand dashboards and climate action
On the go: Pensions dashboards and climate change action ranked as the joint top priority for Society of Pension Professionals members, according to a new survey.
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OpinionSchemes need to consider illiquids in endgame scenarios
Natalie Winterfrost, investment committee member at the Society of Pension Professionals, explains how schemes targeting endgame plans can still invest in illiquid assets, as these provide additional yields and diversify the investment portfolio.
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NewsIndustry body launches new ESG guide for trustees
On the go: The Society of Pension Professionals has launched an environmental, social and governance guide for pension trustees, aimed at schemes that do not have size and resources to effectively manage its integration.
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NewsSPP warns dashboards figures will need to be illustrative
The Society of Pension Professionals has warned that pensions dashboards will have to provide illustrative figures to defined benefit members, as it will not be possible to have accurate quotations due to the complexity of current benefit structures.
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NewsState pension: Triple lock earnings link suspended for 1 year
On the go: The government has suspended the wages element of the pensions triple lock to avoid a disproportionate rise in the state pension following the pandemic.
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FeaturesGuidance ‘stronger nudge’ could lead to poor member experience
The proposed rules requiring trustees and scheme managers to “nudge” individuals to obtain guidance when accessing their pension will cause administration mayhem and could lead to poor member experience, industry experts have warned.
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PodcastsPodcast: Treasury ‘ignored advice’ in public sector pension reforms
Podcast: A report from the Public Accounts Committee about the public sector pensions reform has showed that Treasury ignored advice that could have prevented the McCloud case, argues Ian Neale, co-founder of Aries Insight. He is joined by Sackers partner Claire Carey, in an episode also covering industry consultation fatigue and the new Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures reporting requirements.
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NewsIndustry focus shifts toward the ‘S’ in ESG
Three quarters of Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association members intend to review their social policy in the coming year, according to its response to the government’s consultation focusing on social risks and opportunities for occupational pension schemes.
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NewsIndustry calls again for clarity as TPR criminal consultation closes
The pensions industry has once again united in its calls for clarity as a consultation into the scope and application of the Pensions Regulator’s new criminal powers comes to a close.
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Schemes to spend £1.5bn on GMP equalisation past transfer top-ups
New research from Buck suggests the bill for equalising guaranteed minimum pension benefits in past defined benefit scheme transfers continues to grow, with at least £1.5bn needed for schemes to top up these historic transactions.
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NewsPensions dashboards’ 2023 target ‘under threat’
The target date of 2023 for the introduction of the pensions dashboards is under threat from a lack of clarity in several key areas, the Society of Pension Professionals has warned.
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TPR pledges guidance after royal assent for Pension Schemes Act
On the go: The Pensions Regulator welcomed the Pension Schemes Act receiving royal assent on Thursday, with chief executive Charles Counsell looking forward to the “strong package of measures” it provides and pledging guidance for how they will be used.
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PodcastsPodcast: New powers in Pension Schemes Act could cause bankruptcies
Podcast: New criminal provisions in the Pension Schemes Act are so broadly drafted that they could strangle legitimate business activity, potentially resulting in unnecessary bankruptcies. So says Arc Pensions Law partner Jane Kola, who, along with Society of Pension Professionals president James Riley, warn about the potentially dire consequences and call for more clarity from the regulator. More cheerfully, this inauguration day episode also covers the future of actuaries, small pots, and Donald Trump’s pension.
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OpinionPension professionals yet to reach consensus on ESG monitoring best practice
The overall interest from pension schemes in tackling environmental, social and governance risks is up significantly from where it was just a year ago, writes Society of Pension Professionals president James Riley, but the industry is split on how to monitor and judge progress.