Brexit
Modernising the SPP
The Society of Pension Professionals is looking to make dynamic changes in a bid to stand out from the growing number of trade bodies catering for a dwindling audience.
SPP names Fred Emden as chief executive
The Society of Pension Professionals (SPP) has named Fred Emden as its first chief executive.
Ian Scott: A cautious and flexible investment approach
PPF head of investment strategy Ian Scott tells James Phillips about the fund’s in-sourcing programme, recruitment, and investment risk management.
DB funding - January 2020: Gilt yield drop pushes up deficit by £64bn
Every month, several firms issue trackers of the aggregate defined benefit (DB) scheme funding position. See here for the January 2020 estimates on the various measures…
Chair's statement rules are too harsh, say Buzz peers
This week's 104 Pensions Buzz respondents agreed that the regulations surrounding chair's statements are too harsh.
Getting Brexit done: What next for schemes?
The UK will leave the EU on 31 January, Professional Pensions’ expert advisory panel tells James Phillips what pension schemes should now be thinking about.
Pensions commission would create durable policy
As both centre-left and centre-right political think tanks agree on the need for a pensions commission, Gregg McClymont says this could provide a refreshed model for future pensions policy.
Government must usher in decade of AE renewal
The government must take advantage of its majority to push through further reforms to auto-enrolment, says James Phillips.
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.
Tories win landslide majority in 'disappointing' election for Labour
After a tumultuous few weeks of campaigning, the Conservative party won their largest majority since Margaret Thatcher's 1987 victory in last night’s general election, while Labour is facing its worst defeat since 1935.
General Election 2019: The pensions manifesto pledges
All of the major political parties have now unveiled their policies on pensions ahead of the general election. Professional Pensions looks at what they have promised.
2019 has been frustrating for pensions but will next year be any better?
While the pension schemes bill was said to command cross-party support, Brexit and acrimonious parliamentary debates are leaving its success in doubt, says Malcolm McLean.
General election 2019: the pensions manifesto the industry wants to see
With political parties drawing up their manifestos for next month’s general election, Kim Kaveh explores the industry’s ambitions for future pensions policy.
UK CPI inflation falls to lowest level in two years at 1.5%
The UK’s consumer prices index (CPI) has fallen to its lowest level since November 2016, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
DB funding - October 2019: PPF 7800 index sees liabilities fall as gilt yields increase
Every month, several firms issue trackers of the aggregate defined benefit (DB) scheme funding position. See here for the October 2019 estimates on the various measures…
Interest rates held ahead of general election
The Bank of England’s monetary policy committee (MPC) has voted by a majority of 7-2 to maintain the interest rate at 0.75%.
Europe 'unloved and under-owned' as equity markets struggle
Increased certainty around Brexit deadlines and eventual terms could remove major overhang for European equity market investments, NN Investment Partners finds.
Pensions bill derailed again as general election called
The pension schemes bill will face yet another delay as the UK seems set to have its third general election in five years on 12 December.
November Budget cancelled to 'get Brexit done', chancellor says
The government has scrapped plans to go ahead with an Autumn Budget on 6 November as prime minister Boris Johnson continues to push for a general election before the end of the year.
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.
Government confirms November Budget
HM Treasury has announced that the government’s next Budget will take place on 6 November, although this depends on the outcome of the Brexit negotiations.
PLSA: Majority of schemes have taken action to mitigate Brexit
Pension schemes have considerably stepped up their preparations for Brexit over the last year, despite the outcome still not being known, the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) has found.
Most schemes neglecting Brexit contingency planning
The majority of schemes have claimed political and economic uncertainty has led them to disregard contingency planning for the range of potential Brexit outcomes.
Pension savers concerned over Brexit impact on pot values
Some 42% of pension savers think their funds will fall in value as a result of Brexit, with younger savers showing the most concern, according to Aegon.
