Law and Regulation
Why employers should feel comfortable when changing benefit rules
Two Court of Appeal judgments have allowed schemes to introduce a pensionable pay cap. James Phillips explains the reasons why and what to be aware of
Have your say: Is TPR's new definition of professional trustee correct?
This week we want to know if it is correct to define professional trustees as those who promote themselves as having expertise in trustee matters to schemes they have no connection with.
Pickering: Pensions policy is going in the wrong direction
Chairman of BESTrustees Alan Pickering speaks to Stephanie Baxter about the toxic effect of knee-jerk legislation over the past 20 years, and why he wants a national pensions authority
TPR and PPF agree RAA proposal for British Steel scheme
The regulator and lifeboat fund have agreed plans to sever the £15bn British Steel Pension Scheme from Tata Steel UK after months of negotiations with the trustee and sponsor.
TPR's professional trustee definition welcomed but penalty policy has 'sting in the tail'
The industry has welcomed The Pensions Regulator's (TPR) revised definition of professional trustee, but has warned all trustees to be aware of the updated monetary penalty policy.
TPR issues 65 fines in Q2 over failure to do 'basic' duties; Names schemes for first time
Between April and June the pensions watchdog it fined 45 trustees for not submitting scheme returns, and 20 trustees for not preparing a chair's annual statement.
TPR sets out new definition of professional trustee; boosts fines
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has revised its definition of a 'professional trustee' as it moves to improve standards and introduce accreditation of the role.
Occupational pensions worst for transfer delays yet failing to help find solutions
Occupational schemes and their administrators are lagging behind in their involvement in an industry-wide discussion on slashing transfer delays, Tom McPhail has said.
Confusion prevails over cold calling ban; govt 'to consult again'
The government's plans to ban pensions cold calling could be subject to further delays amid speculation that yet another consultation is on the cards.
Minister announces Data Protection Bill to bring GDPR into UK law
The government will introduce a new bill to implement the European Union's (EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) into British law, it has announced.
IBM members 'will not appeal' ruling to Supreme Court
The landmark Court of Appeal judgment which allowed IBM to impose a cap on increases in pensionable pay will not be appealed to the Supreme Court, according to a members' forum.
Ombudsman backs Halcrow over indexation reduction following RAA
The Pensions Ombudsman (TPO) has backed the Halcrow Pension Scheme (HPS) trustees after they reduced the level of indexation for transferred-in benefits when members were transferred to another scheme.
IBM wins appeal over pensionable pay cap
The Court of Appeal has sided with IBM Holdings in a battle over the closure of its defined benefit (DB) schemes and a cap on increases in pensionable pay.
FRC broadens probe into Coats Group schemes' conduct
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has extended the scope of its investigation into the conduct of individuals who oversaw the three Coats Group defined benefit (DB) schemes.
TPR interventions soar 468% in AE compliance cases
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) used its formal powers 50,068 times in just 12 months to ensure high levels of compliance with the auto-enrolment regime.
Hammond considers cutting higher-rate tax relief
A cut in higher-rate pension tax relief could be on the cards for the November Budget, according to Treasury insiders.
Court of Appeal sides with BBC over cap on pensionable pay
The BBC has won a landmark pensions case in the Court of Appeal, allowing the broadcaster to impose a cap on increases in pensionable pay.
What latest money laundering rules mean for schemes
Michael Klimes examines what additional obligations money laundering rules introduced in June may put on schemes
TPR fines Barnet Council for scheme return failures
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has fined London Borough of Barnet Council £1,000 for failing to submit a 2016 scheme return for the London Borough of Barnet Pension Fund.
QROPS transfers down for second year in succession
Transfers to Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes (QROPS) are down for the second tax year in a row - to 9,700 transfers worth £1.22bn in 2016/17 - according to HM Revenue & Customs data.
European regulator consults on streamlining pensions data
The European pensions regulator has set out plans to standardise and streamline occupational pension schemes data provided by national regulators.
FCA proposes duty on asset managers to act in investors' interests
Asset managers will face a duty to act in the best interests of investors under plans unveiled by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) today.
PLSA backs CMA investigation of investment consultants
The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) has urged the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to refer the investment consulting market for a competition investigation.
So much for the master trust assurance framework
Henry Tapper says the MAF has failed as a reliable kite mark for scheme quality in selection
