Bob Scott
TPR must 'strike a balance' between tackling deficits and employer support
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) must “strike a balance between getting pension scheme deficits tackled swiftly and not pushing so hard as to jeopardise the long-term future of the employer”, according to Lane Clark & Peacock (LCP) senior partner Bob Scott....
TPR opens 'robust and lengthy debate' on future of DB funding
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has set out plans for twin-track defined benefit (DB) funding rules mixing clearer regulatory expectations with scheme-specific flexibility.
UK retirees outlive their savings by a decade, finds World Economic Forum
People retiring in the UK will on average outlive their pension savings by 10 years, according to research by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Exclusive: LCP appoints first CEO in management structure shake-up
Lane Clark and Peacock (LCP) has appointed Aaron Punwani as its first chief executive as the firm reshapes its management structure in a bid to support growth and innovation.
Bob Scott: My pension predictions for 2019
Bob Scott reviews the past year in pensions and makes some predictions for what the industry will see in 2019.
Do we need an Ofsted-style ratings regime for schemes?
Ofsted-style ratings regime for trust-based schemes would provide transparency for members, says Jonathan Stapleton.
TPR needs 'super trustees' to aid struggling schemes
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) could benefit from having a pool of "super trustees" that can be parachuted into schemes to fix problems when they arise, experts say.
Less than half of employers support gradual AE contribution increases, finds survey
Fewer than half (44%) of employers oppose increases in minimum automatic enrollment (AE) contributions above 8%, according to an Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA) study.
One in 20 members request DB transfers, finds research
Almost half (47%) of employers say defined benefit (DB) transfer requests exceed 5% of scheme members, an Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA) study has found.
DB costs hitting pay and intergenerational equity, employers say
Over half of employers believe the need to fund defined benefit (DB) schemes is affecting their ability to improve employee pay, a survey by the Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA) has found.
£150bn cash injection over past decade has barely dented FTSE 100 deficits
The accounting position of FTSE 100 defined benefit (DB) schemes has worsened from a £12bn surplus to a £17bn deficit over the last 10 years despite mammoth contributions.
Hung parliament leaves pension policy in doubt
The UK has awoken to shock news that the Conservative Party has failed to secure an overall majority, leaving the future government hanging somewhat in the balance.
A risk-sharing scheme for Royal Mail - will it catch on?
A union proposal for Royal Mail to create a risk sharing scheme has brought back the idea of defined ambition. Stephanie Baxter looks at how it would work and if it could set a blueprint for others
Superfunds: The answer to DB consolidation?
The PLSA's DB taskforce has suggested employers should be able to offload their DB scheme into merged 'superfunds'. James Phillips explores the idea.
ACA: AE to exclude 12 million people by mid-2018
Millions of low-paid earners and self-employed workers will be missing out on pensions unless the government expands the auto-enrolment (AE) programme, Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA) research finds.
TTF calls on MPs to launch costs inquiry
Members of the Work and Pensions Committee (WPC) have been urged to set up a broad inquiry into hidden costs and charges faced by pension schemes.
ACA reiterates call for independent pensions commission; criticises 'on the hoof' policymaking
The government should establish an independent pensions commission to promote the betterment of private retirement income provision and make recommendations on both state and public sector provision, the Association of Consulting Actuaries says.
Small businesses call for DB indexation override
Over 9 in 10 small businesses support a call for the government to introduce a statutory override for scheme indexation, a survey has found.
Change to statutory indexation and scheme valuation method needed, WPC told
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) needs a more preventative and flexible approach to protect the Pension Protection Fund (PPF), the Work and Pensions Committee (WPC) has been told.
ACA: Flexible state pension access for all is impractical
The Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA) has warned a system allowing all people within a certain age range to access the state pension flexibly would be unworkable.
DB contributions at highest level in any year since 2009
Sponsor contribution levels for the FTSE 100 defined benefit (DB) schemes are the highest since 2009 according to an LCP survey.
Speculation over DB transfer ban could lead to 'rush for the door'
Rumours about the government banning members from transferring their defined benefit (DB) pensions will only fuel the fire, the Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA) has warned.
BHS report must inspire hard thinking about DB sustainability
Fresh thinking is needed to make defined benefit (DB) schemes sustainable in wake of MPs' damning conclusions on British Home Stores (BHS), according to experts.
Should there be a statutory override converting RPI to CPI?
The debate over whether schemes should be able to change statutory pension increases from RPI to CPI continues with calls for a statutory override to be put in place. Kristian Brunt-Seymour considers its feasibility