Consumer Prices Index
A post-war approach to inflation?
Supply will need to be rebuilt following the forced shutdown, potentially pushing up inflation and reasserting the need for adequate hedges, writes James Phillips
Recovery plans fall by 2.2 years as schemes expect target within ten years
The average recovery plan length for schemes in deficit has fallen by 2.2 years compared to three years ago, according to an Aon study.
RPI reform to cost schemes and investors up to £130bn
Potential changes to the way the Retail Prices Index (RPI) is calculated and reported could cause assets to fall by between £60bn and £130bn, according to various estimates.
Univar ruling: High Court allows rectification of mistaken RPI hardwiring
The Univar Company Pension Scheme has been granted court permission to change its indexation protection from the Retail Prices Index (RPI) to the Consumer Prices Index (CPI).
PPF compensation cap deemed age discriminatory
The compensation caps applied by the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) have been deemed age discriminatory by the High Court in another slap down of the lifeboat regime.
Negative inflation from Covid-19 'could see the end of the triple lock'
A slump in inflation caused by economic damage from the coronavirus could pave the way for the abolition of the state pension ‘triple lock’, according to Lane Clark & Peacock (LCP).
Unknown territory: Pensions impacts of negative yields and interest rates
Nigel Sillis looks at how UK pension schemes could fare in a market environment with negative yields and interest rates.
FTSE 100 schemes in 'best position' for 20 years before onset of Covid-19
Almost three-quarters of FTSE 100 defined benefit (DB) pension schemes were in surplus on an accounting basis as the coronavirus crisis hit, according to Lane Clark & Peacock (LCP).
Treasury extends RPI consultation period
The Treasury has announced a four-month extension to its consultation on reforming the Retail Prices Index (RPI) in response to the Covid-19 crisis.
Could coronavirus infect the Consumer Prices Index?
Covid-19 has presented the ONS with significant problems calculating inflation during lockdown. Latest Institute for Fiscal Studies research examines the challenges faced.
Schemes could see 12% funding drop from RPI move
Potential changes to the Retail Prices Index (RPI) could land some schemes with a fall in their funding level as high as 12% according to Barnett Waddingham.
RPI reform is not just and equitable
The government is set to start consulting on how the Retail Prices Index (RPI) is calculated in its Budget on 11 March. Keith Webster warns the industry may currently be sleepwalking into this change.
Form a permanent pensions commission, urge Buzz peers
This week’s 102 Pensions Buzz respondents were in agreement that a permanent pensions commission should be formed.
RPI reform consultation delayed until March
HM Treasury has confirmed the launch date of the upcoming joint consultation on changes to the Retail Prices Index (RPI) will be pushed back until Budget day.
Ten pensions predictions for 2020
2019 was a busy year on many fronts, and pensions was no exception. Paul Kitson gives his top ten predictions for the pensions industry in 2020.
Lifetime allowance to rise to £1.073m as inflation falls to 1.7%
The lifetime allowance will rise to £1,073,000 from next April as inflation in the year to September stands at 1.7%.
Switching inflation indices: How aligning RPI with CPIH will affect schemes
The Treasury will soon consult on moving the calculations behind RPI to match another index. James Phillips looks at the proposal and its potential impact on pension schemes.
UK inflation rises to 2.1%
UK inflation unexpectedly rose above target in July to 2.1%, just 24 hours after wage growth hit an 11-year high of 3.9% and the employment rate reached a fresh record.
BT blocked from third attempt to swap pensions index
BT will not be able to swap the index used to uprate part of its pension scheme after the Supreme Court denied permission to appeal, closing all legal avenues.
UK inflation hits 2.1% but monetary policy remains slave to Brexit
A rise in UK inflation back above the Bank of England's 2% target rate will not change the thinking of its Monetary Policy Committee with regards to interest rates, experts have said.
UK inflation remains below target at 1.9% in March
UK inflation unexpectedly remained below target for the third month in a row in March, as higher fuel prices were offset by the falling prices of food and computer games.
Inflation edges up to 1.9% on higher food prices
Inflation in the UK rose slightly in February to 1.9% on the back of higher food prices, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Interserve scheme surges into surplus after indexation swap
The Interserve Pension Scheme has recognised a £70.6m reduction in liabilities after swapping the index used to uprate benefits.
