Holly Roach
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Articles by Holly Roach
ACA calls for key policy measures to be included in pensions bill
The Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA) has called for five key policy measures to be included in the upcoming pensions bill.
Opperman: Pensions bill is 'sat on my desk' and 'completely ready to go'
A pensions bill is completely ready to go and waiting for a Queen’s Speech, according to pensions and financial inclusion minister Guy Opperman.
UK investors recognise increasing importance of ESG
Responsible investing has dramatically grown in importance to investors over the last year, according to research by Aon.
Greencoat announces £120m pension investment in low-carbon greenhouses
Greencoat Capital has announced it will manage a £120m investment from major UK pension funds to construct two large, low-carbon greenhouses.
TPR begins crackdown on poor record-keeping
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has ordered the trustee boards of 400 schemes to urgently conduct a data review as part of its crackdown on poor scheme record-keeping.
Royal London and LCP call for wider access to partial DB transfers
There needs to be wider access to partial transfers out of defined benefit (DB) schemes, according to a joint paper published by Royal London and Lane Clark & Peacock (LCP).
Thérèse Coffey reaffirms government pension plans at Tory conference
Work and pensions secretary Thérèse Coffey has reaffirmed the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) pension commitments just over three weeks after taking office.
FCA fines Prudential £23.9m for non-advised annuity sale failures
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fined Prudential £23.9m for failures relating to non-advised sales of annuities.
Why changes to SIPs will be positive but not radical
From October, trustees need to show how they are factoring ESG issues into investment decisions. Holly Roach explores why the changes may not be radical but could boost member engagement.
Is NEST setting a benchmark for other DC schemes?
NEST has allocated 5% of assets to private credit and announced its two fund managers for this area. Holly Roach looks at how the provider is leading the way for other schemes
Caroline Eastwood: Take risks and have confidence
Skipton Building Society pensions manager Caroline Eastwood scooped the Pensions Manager of the Year accolade at PP’s Women in Pensions Awards. She tells Holly Roach about her success.
Industry generally positive over TPR guidance on investment governance
As The Pensions Regulator’s consultation on investment governance guidance closes, Holly Roach looks at the industry’s response.
Investors concerned by slow progress in energy sector
Investors have expressed concern over the volume of fossil fuel giants still ignoring the Paris Agreement climate pledges.
No consensus on the best political party for pensions
This week's Pensions Buzz respondents were split over which political party would be best for pensions.
Emma Douglas: Work hard but have fun
Holly Roach talks to LGIM’s Emma Douglas, who scooped the Pensions Woman of the Year award and the Lifetime Achievement accolade at PP’s Women in Pensions Awards
AXA IM partners with AMX platform; launches $1bn long-term credit fund
AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) has partnered with the Asset Management Exchange (AMX) platform, adding an initial long-term credit fund with more than $1bn (£806m) of assets in the fund.
Five stories you may have missed this week
This week’s top stories included The Pensions Regulator launching a prosecution against the director of a professional trustee firm, and the regulator approving five master trusts.
NEST allocates 5% to private credit; announces two fund manager hires
NEST has selected two fund managers it will use to invest in private credit, enabling its members to benefit from the private markets investments.
Pension Awareness Day: Industry's top tips for boosting engagement
Experts have called on the industry to personalise pension communications and expand auto-enrolment (AE) to all workers ahead of the fifth Pension Awareness Day on Sunday.
L&G agrees £35m buyout with Edwards Wildman Palmer scheme
Legal & General (L&G) has entered into an agreement with US law firm Locke Lord for a £35m buyout of UK-based Edward Wildman Palmer pension scheme.
Rothesay Life secures record year with £3.7bn bulk annuity deals in H2
Rothesay Life has completed £3.7bn of bulk annuity transactions so far in the second half of this year, according to its latest trading update.
Retirement confidence on the rise, finds Aegon
Retirement confidence is on the rise, with more than half of savers yet to retire feeling they will be able to do so comfortably, according to research by Aegon.
Exclusive: 90% of DB schemes have set a long-term funding target
Almost all UK defined benefit (DB) schemes (92%) have set clear long-term funding targets, with most focused on buyout or self-sufficiency, according to Aon.
Muse Advisory appoints CEO and chair in management shake-up
Muse Advisory has refreshed its management structure with four senior promotions.
Scottish Widows launches standard annuity onto open market
Scottish Widows has launched its standard annuity onto the open market to sit alongside its existing enhanced annuity.
Life expectancy improvements slow as think-tank suggests faster state pension age rise
The Centre for Social Justice has proposed raising the state pension age to 75 by 2035, despite a slowdown in mortality improvements. Holly Roach reports
Wind of Change: Trustees and their functions and responsibilities
Faced with greater regulatory requirements, trustees must truly get to grips with all of their responsibilities, argues David Harris.
Just Group exploring DB de-risking partnership while bulk annuity deals fall
Just Group is exploring a defined benefit (DB) de-risking partnering approach as part of the development of a capital light fee business, according to its half-year results.
NHS Employers publishes pension tax guidance
NHS Employers has published guidance for employers to support staff affected by the pension taxation issues.
Most schemes targeting self-sufficiency over buyout
The majority of pension schemes that are using a long-term funding target are focused on self-sufficiency, Aon research has revealed.
TPR to prosecute businessman over failure to provide company documents
A businessman is to be prosecuted by The Pensions Regulator (TPR) for failing to reveal information about companies he owns or runs.
Mid-life support is 'crucial' for both employers and employees
Mid-life support for employees can be a win-win scenario for both employees and employers, according to the Centre for Ageing Better.
Armed forces hit by annual allowance issue
Nearly 4,000 members of the Armed Forces Pension Schemes breached their annual tax-free pensions savings limit in 2017/2018, a freedom of information (FOI) request has revealed.
USS strike edging closer following pensions dispute
The University and College Union (UCU) has rejected a call from university employers that would have forced the union to ban strike ballots over pensions for two years.
Boris Johnson will create pension tax relief 'losers' with mooted income tax reforms
Boris Johnson's mooted income tax reforms would create a double-edged sword whereby income tax winners would become pension tax relief losers, according to research by Aegon.
Five stories you may have missed this week
The top stories this week were the High Court's decision to block the £12bn annuity transfer from Prudential to Rothesay Life, and a separate court ruling that 'raises the bar' for pension rectification exercises.
GMP equalisation now top priority for schemes
Guaranteed minimum pension (GMP) equalisation has soared to the top of pension schemes' to-do lists, with 58% stating it is a priority project, research from Equiniti has revealed.
Defined Contribution Conference: Register now
Professional Pensions is holding its defined contribution (DC) conference on 4 September.
Fifth of DB schemes graded weak by TPR
One in five defined benefit (DB) schemes are in The Pension Regulator's (TPR) weakest two categories, analysis by Hymans Robertson has revealed.
AMX appoints SSGA as first passive funds provider
State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) has been selected as the first index manager for the Asset Management Exchange's (AMX) passive funds.
Nine million mid-life employees 'sleep-walking' into retirement
Nearly nine million employees aged 45 and over are "sleep-walking" into retirement, unaware of how much they need to save, according to research from Aviva.
XPS appointed as adviser for the Greene King Pension Scheme
The Greene King Pension Scheme has appointed XPS Pensions as its actuarial and investment adviser following a competitive tender process.
NEST joins Star Initiative as Opperman urges other to follow suit
NEST has signed up to the government-backed Star Initiative, taking all of its 8 million members' pension pots with it.
Investment fraud reports surge to more than 8,000 so far this year
More than 8,000 investment fraud reports have been made so far this year, more than double the amount in the same period last year, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.
Active equity fees fall by 11% in two years, while corporate bond fees rise
LCP research reveals global active equity fees have fallen for yet another year, while corporate bond fees are on the rise. Holly Roach looks at the findings.
Pension administration needs to be taken more seriously
KGC Associates' administration survey revealed the industry thinks administration is not taken seriously. Holly Roach looks at the survey findings.
How to improve gender diversity in pensions
More women are working in the industry but there is still a way to go, particularly at the senior level. In this roundtable, panellists discuss how to achieve a better gender balance
Industry in agreement on banning contingent charging
The majority of this week's Pensions Buzz respondents agreed with the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) proposal to ban contingent charging on defined benefit (DB) transfer advice.