What were some of the most read opinion pieces on Professional Pensions over the last 12 months? We look at some of the top articles from our commentators during the year.
1) Why pensions considerations are moving up the agenda
The collapse of Thomas Cook shows how company boards must give greater attention to how pay and dividends contrast to pension scheme contributions, says Stephen Richards.
2) Are we heading for a capacity crisis in admin - or are we already there?
With schemes facing more administration tasks than ever, it is important the industry attracts new talent to help with potential capacity problems, says Kim Gubler
3) David Fairs: Why we're pushing schemes out of the market
The regulator is looking to accelerate the consolidation of pension schemes. David Fairs explains why
4) How TPR is managing master trust exits
Master trust authorisation will see a significant number of schemes exit the market. Nicola Parish explains how TPR is overseeing this process
5) Woodford debacle is chance for pensions to shine
Trustees should seize the opportunity to engage and educate members about their investment choices, says Henry Tapper
6) Opperman: The SFGB will transform pensions and protect savers
The pensions minister says the new guidance body will help younger generations become the savvy savers of tomorrow
7) Remember, remember the 10th of December…
Trustees risk leaving their scheme ungovernable if they do not get in place strategic objectives for investment advisers, warns John Paterson
8) David Fairs: Can sole trustees govern pensions effectively?
TPR's David Fairs explores the role of sole trustees, outlines some of the regulator's concerns and calls for evidence from the industry
9) What GMP conversion guidance will mean for schemes
GMP conversion guidance is expected imminently, but what will it mean for schemes? Maurice Titley looks at the next steps for trustees
10) Insurers are letting down small DB schemes
Without specialist help, smaller DB schemes are being left behind in a bulk annuity market increasingly focused on mega-deals, says Rob Dales
11) Guy Opperman: The pension schemes bill will bring the industry into the 21st Century
With a raft of changes mapped out, pensions minister Guy Opperman says reforms will place customers at their core
12) Robin Ellison: Why we must ‘strenuously resist' TPR's demand for more cash
The volume of regulation and the cost of regulators has risen sharply over the past decade. Robin Ellison asks if it is time for a rethink
13) Plans for transfer rules undermine freedoms
Requiring pension freedoms users to transfer their funds into a workplace pension scheme could damage savings further, says Baroness Ros Altmann
14) Maybe ‘pot follows member' wasn't such a bad idea after all
It is time to reconsider this potential solution to the plethora of fragmented pots, says Sir Steve Webb
15) Brexit may turn out to be an oddly golden era for pensions
Robin Ellison says the one great advantage of the Brexit experience has been the inability of government to pass much new legislation affecting pensions
16) TPR: Why granting master trusts authorisation extensions makes good sense
The regulator has granted extensions to 11 master trusts. Kim Brown explains why this is a positive move
17) Demolishing the tax structure
Any changes to pensions taxation must be deliberate, planned and controlled, with a clear end objective in mind, says Richard Butcher
18) NHS pensions - diagnosis and treatment
Doctors suffering from pension tax ailments should consider seeking financial advice rather than self-treating symptoms, write Moira Warner, as she considers various ways to deal with the NHS pensions conundrum
19) Robin Ellison: The dangers of over-professionalising trusteeship
Robin Ellison explains why lay trustees continue to have an essential part to play in trusteeship, despite the regulatory drive towards professionalisation.
20) Retirement living standards will help savers picture their future
The retirement living standards must be widely adopted by schemes to help millions of savers truly understand how to achieve the retirement lifestyle they desire, says Nigel Peaple.
