Coronavirus
Knowa offers trustees free collaborative tools amid coronavirus crisis
Communications platform Knowa is offering trustee boards and professional trustees free access to its online collaborative tools amid the growing impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the rising number of staff working remotely.
Government withdraws 10% general levy increase
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has cancelled a planned rise to the general levy amid the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak.
PASA issues Covid-19 guidance for administrators
The Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) has issued special guidance for administrators as they grapple with the Covid-19 crisis.
TPR deficit contribution guidance welcomed but 'hidden implications' arise
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) is “pulling out all the stops” to help struggling employers during the Covid-19 crisis, although latest guidance may put trustees in a “challenging” position, the industry says.
Covenant most pressing issue amid Covid-19, say Buzz respondents
Any weakening of the sponsor covenant arising from the Covid-19 crisis is likely to have the most challenging impact for pension schemes, according to March's Pensions Buzz respondents.
A DC coronavirus checklist for trustees
In these unprecedented times, it is more important than ever that DC schemes have the right processes in place for governance, communications, and administration. Rona Train looks at what you need to be checking for.
Consider suspending DRCs for three months if necessary, TPR says
Defined benefit (DB) scheme trustees should be open to employer requests to reduce or suspend deficit recovery contributions (DRCs) if there is a good reason to do so, The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has said.
TPR extends late payment reporting deadlines
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has temporarily relaxed the timeframe for schemes which need to report late payments from employers for workplace pension schemes.
Coronavirus investment considerations for pension schemes
Susannah Young looks at how pension schemes should be reacting to impact of the coronavirus crisis on investment-related considerations and discusses steps trustees can take.
Coronavirus job retention scheme will cover AE contributions
Furloughed workers will continue to receive pension contributions under the government’s coronavirus job retention scheme, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has confirmed.
Bank of England holds rates at 0.1%; warns of 'sharp' UK downturn
The Bank of England has maintained the historic low 0.1% base rate and predicted a gloomy economic outlook for the UK in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Self-isolating pension professionals and their pets
Pension professionals show us their new 'work colleagues' as their turn their homes into offices.
Market volatility making bulk annuities more affordable
The fall in pricing of credit assets due to Covid-19 has made bulk annuities more affordable for schemes with significant gilt holdings, according to XPS Pensions.
Key issues for trustees and sponsors to consider amid coronavirus crisis
DLA Piper has set out a list of key issues for occupational pension scheme trustees and sponsors to consider in light on the Covid-19 pandemic.
UPDATED - Working from home, keeping connected: 19 video conferencing and collaboration tools to consider
Ensuring remote working colleagues and board members can keep in touch is suddenly more important than ever. We look at 19 video-enabled collaboration tools that could help bridge the communications gap.
Mercer calls for deficit contribution halt to help struggling pensions system
The continuation of pension deficit contributions is unattainable during the Covid-19 pandemic, Mercer has told The Pensions Regulator (TPR).
Covid-19: Dealing with a contributions crisis
As the Covid-19 crisis sees employers seeking changes or suspensions to deficit contributions, Richard Knight looks at how schemes should respond to such requests.
De-risking in a crisis: What you can do during the coronavirus pandemic
While market conditions may have put a dent in your de-risking plans, there is still plenty of preparation you can do and opportunities to take advantage of, says Michael Abramson.
TPR issues updated coronavirus guidance for trustees
The Pensions Regulator has published updated guidance for those it regulates and has also suspended all its regulatory initiatives.
PIRC urges executive pay restraint during coronavirus crisis
Pensions & Investment Research Consultants (PIRC) has urged companies to restrict executive pay in response to the coronavirus crisis.
Updated: The contingency plans activated by administrators during the coronavirus outbreak
In the face of the coronavirus outbreak, Holly Roach looks at the contingency plans activated by key pensions administrators to ensure business continuity.
TPR urged to take pragmatic approach for looming valuations
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) must adopt a “pragmatic” approach to the 15% of UK schemes that have valuation dates within the next three weeks, Aon has said.
Isolation does not mean we are alone
As the UK's workforce works from home, Andy Lewis looks at how the pensions industry can respond together to Covid-19.
How coronavirus could change our working lives (and the climate)
Tools that can reduce business travel have long been available. The coronavirus is forcing us to use them, and the climate could benefit, says Simon Webber.
