Jonathan Stapleton
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Articles by Jonathan Stapleton
Four key Covid-19 actions for DC trustees
The disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has also had a major impact on defined contribution schemes. In this article, XPS Pensions Group recommends trustees take four urgent steps to protect schemes and members.
TPR issues updated coronavirus guidance for trustees
The Pensions Regulator has published updated guidance for those it regulates and has also suspended all its regulatory initiatives.
Ten questions to check DC scheme coronavirus resilience
Aon has compiled ten questions to help the trustees of DC plans check the resilience of their schemes.
Fiduciary management: Looking for a long-term partner
Professional Pensions’ expert panel discusses key considerations for trustees tendering for a fiduciary manager.
Interview: How the BT Pension Scheme is focussing on quality service
BT Pension Scheme Management's chief executive Morten Nilsson speaks to Jonathan Stapleton about his scheme's focus on member experience.
Coronavirus: What schemes and trustees should do now
Professional Pensions has assembled the latest advice and guidance on responding to the coronavirus pandemic from The Pensions Regulator, consultants and legal advisers. Read the updates here…
Treasury confirms increase in NI threshold
The government has confirmed it has increased the National Insurance (NI) threshold from £8,632 to £9,500 from April.
Government launches review into UK funds regime; consults on overseas fund rules
The government has launched a review into the UK funds regime in a bid to ensure the ongoing competitiveness and sustainability of the sector.
Eight industry bodies go public with clause 107 drafting concerns
Trustees and their advisers could be “criminalised for doing the right thing” and left “fearful of acting” if Pension Schemes Bill wording is not amended, the Joint Industry Forum (JIF) says.
List: The biggest professional trustee firms in the UK
Professional Pensions is compiling a list of professional trustee firms and is looking for your help...
UPDATED: PMI launches accreditation regime for professional trustees
The Pensions Management Institute (PMI) has launched an alternative accreditation programme for professional trustees.
Trustees face jail threat under 'extraordinary' pension bill provisions
PTL managing director Richard Butcher has warned trustees could face jail under proposed pension schemes bill additions to the Pensions Act 2004.
Women in Pensions Awards 2020: Nominate now!
Nominations for the third annual PP Women in Pensions Awards - which celebrate the achievements of women working in pensions or acting as a trustee - have now opened. Find out how to nominate here…
MNOPF completes £1.6bn buy-in with PIC
The trustees of the £3bn Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund (MNOPF) have secured £1.6bn of members’ pension benefits through a buy-in transaction with Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC).
Redressing the balance in retirement
Rising life expectancy and falling fertility rates are leading to ageing populations. Jonathan Stapleton considers latest research assessing how this trend is impacting pension systems around the world.
Despite Brexit, the pensions world goes on...
The UK formally left the EU on 31st January. But, as Jonathan Stapleton says, the world goes on, especially in pensions.
Why size matters when it comes to DC investment
Jonathan Stapleton explains why the growing scale of DC providers is likely to herald rapid innovation in the market.
Seven multi-billion deals account for two-thirds of 2019 bulk annuity volumes
A significant increase in so-called ‘mega-transactions’ accounted for around two-thirds of the record-breaking bulk-annuity transfer volumes for 2019, Hymans Robertson analysis reveals.
Nest surpasses £10bn in AUM; appoints two external members to investment committee
Nest has announced it has reached £10bn of assets under management (AuM) and has also appointed two external additions to its investment committee.
PMI launches mentoring and development programme
The Pensions Management Institute (PMI) has launched a mentoring and development programme, which it will deliver in conjunction with the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM).
New Year's honour for Hermes IM chief executive Saker Nusseibeh
Hermes Investment Management Saker Nusseibeh has been awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the New Year’s Honours list.
Mark Carney issues climate change warning to schemes
Mark Carney says the financial sector must take more urgent action on climate change.
The reality of retired life
Michael Buerk’s latest TV show – Britain’s Great Pension Crisis, the first episode of which was broadcast at the beginning of the month – revealed just how poor the average person’s understanding of pensions is.
Election result gives markets 'Boris bounce' but uncertainty remains
The Conservative Party’s election success has delivered a rally for UK equity markets and sterling but uncertainty over a future trade deal with the EU remains.
MJ Hudson lists on AIM in £31.4m placing
MJ Hudson has listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange, raising a total of £31.4m from investors.
Pensions - it's a numbers game
Jonathan Stapleton explains his fascination with numbers...
The importance of manifesto pledges on pensions
This year’s election marks the seventh time I have been able to cast my vote at a general election but I can honestly say it is the one I am looking forward to least. I can hardly wait until it is all over.
Mobius Life launches specialist alternative fund range
Mobius Life has launched a specialist fund range in a bid to make alternative investment strategies available to more defined benefit (DB) schemes.
NHS England confirms emergency action on pension tax
NHS England has confirmed it will take urgent action on to ensure NHS workers who exceed their annual allowance during this financial year will be able to take on additional work without being left out of pocket.
G30 Turner report urges 'early action' to fix looming pensions crisis
Individuals must work longer, save more or spend less in retirement to avoid a global pensions crisis, a report by a Group of Thirty (G30) working group says.
PP Rising Star Awards 2020: Initial nominee list revealed!
Here it is… The list of all the individuals, teams and organisations that have been nominated so far for the PP Rising Star Awards 2020.
Brunel launches emerging markets sub-fund with three managers
The Brunel Pension Partnership has launched an emerging markets sub-fund following the appointment of Genesis Investment Management, Wellington Management and Investec Asset Management as investment managers.
ITV reports deficit fall and sells contingent asset for £150m
ITV has reported the net deficit of its defined benefit pension scheme has fallen from £105m on 30 June to just £2m on 30 September.
FRC launches revised stewardship code
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has launched a revised stewardship code – significantly raising its expectations on how money is invested.
Do we need to engage people with their pensions?
The industry has had little success engaging members with pensions over the past 20 years. Jonathan Stapleton says two initiatives currently underway may change this in the future.
How TPR's relationship supervision regime is working
The Pensions Regulator’s relationship supervision regime was launched a year ago. Jonathan Stapleton hears from Dianne Morgan about how it is working in practice.
Pension schemes bill has low chance of quick resolution
With the spectre of Brexit looming over parliament, Jonathan Stapleton has some scepticism that the pension schemes bill will be enacted any time soon.
How good is your investment decision making? Take this survey to find out...
Leeds Business School and City University of London are conducting research on institutional investor decision-making in association with the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries – and they are looking for your help.
B&CE enters consultation over job cuts
B&CE has launched a redundancy consultation with staff as part of a plan to reduce costs and become more efficient.
Buy now while stocks last: Risk reduction ramps up
As the risk reduction market gets busier and busier, Jonathan Stapleton says preparations must become more comprehensive for schemes to gain a foothold.
Gallagher buys AHC
Arthur J. Gallagher has bought Anthony Hodges Consulting (AHC) in a bid to become a major global employee communications company.
ACA: Pension coverage remains patchy and employee saving still insufficient
The government must take action to build on the successes of auto-enrolment (AE) and ensure coverage and contribution rates are increased, the Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA) says.
DC and ESG: The two key issues for our time
Across the industry, two key discussions are dominating the landscape: ESG and DC investment. Getting the approach to both of these right is vital, says Jonathan Stapleton.
IFoA launches actuarial monitoring scheme
The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) has launched a monitoring scheme in a bid to improve the effectiveness of actuarial regulation and promote ongoing improvement across the profession.
Setting a benchmark for DC investment
With NEST announcing plans to invest 5% of assets in private credit, Jonathan Stapleton queries whether other schemes should be following in its footsteps
PPI Future Book: Consolidation, contribution hikes and investment strategy key to boosting DC pension pots
The consolidation of smaller, higher-charging schemes, increased contribution rates and a move away from investment lifestyling towards DGFs and real assets could significantly boost the size of DC pots, latest analysis by the Pensions Policy Institute...
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.