Financial Conduct Authority
Charles Counsell: 2020 will be a year of positive change
Changes are afoot in the pensions regulatory landscape in a bid to boost both security and outcomes for members. Charles Counsell reveals what you can expect from the regulator this year.
The tide turns for DC and alternatives
DC schemes are increasingly looking at investing in alternatives but face a number of challenges. Charlotte Moore takes a look at the issues they face.
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.
DB trustees urged to engage with advisers to avoid 'reputational damage'
Pension scheme trustees should actively engage financial advisers if members are looking to transfer out of their defined benefit arrangements and washing their hands of the process does not eliminate risk, a study has found.
L&G launches annuity comparison service
Legal & General (L&G) has launched an online annuity searching tool, allowing consumers to compare rates across six leading providers.
Time to get serious on defeating scams
With the law not adequately protecting savers from scams, the pensions industry must be more direct with members about the risks of transfers, says Margaret Snowdon.
Sailing the Strait of Hormuz
Without proper support from pension professionals, savers are left vulnerable to attacks on all sides, says Henry Tapper.
Pension freedom withdrawals reach £30bn
Over £30bn has been withdrawn from pension pots since Freedom and Choice was introduced in 2015 for those aged over 55, according to latest data from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Revamped wake-up packs 'still not enough' for savers
Simplified, one-page pension wake-up packs launched last week, but the industry does not agree that they will make much difference to members’ saving attitudes. Holly Roach reports
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.
Aegon debuts animated video summaries for members
Aegon has launched personalised animated video summaries for its members, in a bid to boost engagement.
LEBC valuation slashed by a third after withdrawal from transfer market
LEBC’s majority shareholder B.P. Marsh & Partners has reduced the valuation of its holding in the group by 33%, following its withdrawal from the defined benefit (DB) transfer market.
Business raided for pensions cold calling in ICO's first move since ban
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has searched an unnamed business premises in Chichester as part of an investigation of the firm suspected of making nuisance pensions calls.
FCA fines Prudential £23.9m for non-advised annuity sale failures
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fined Prudential £23.9m for failures relating to non-advised sales of annuities.
Is NEST setting a benchmark for other DC schemes?
NEST has allocated 5% of assets to private credit and announced its two fund managers for this area. Holly Roach looks at how the provider is leading the way for other schemes
Should there be a single definition of value for money?
An agreed definition of value for money would make it easier for members to compare pensions, but it could be difficult as schemes are so different, writes Kim Kaveh.
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.
Insticube analysis reveals fewer than one in five institutional investors positive about asset managers
Just 18% of institutional investors feel positive about the service they receive from the asset managers, analysis from independent data platform Insticube finds.
Star: Defining and demonstrating transfer excellence
Schemes already face a legislative requirement to carry out transfers promptly and efficiently, so they should voluntarily get on board with the industry-developed solution, says Tom McPhail
Reaction: FCA contingent charging ban proposal welcomed by industry but challenges remain
The industry has broadly praised the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) proposal to ban contingent charging on defined benefit (DB) transfer advice as a move towards improving retirement outcomes.
FCA to implement compulsory investment pathways for non-advised drawdown
Defined contribution (DC) drawdown providers will have to offer non-advised consumers investment pathways from August 2020, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) says.
FCA weighs up U-turn to ban contingent charging on DB transfers
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is consulting on plans to ban contingent charging on defined benefit (DB) transfer advice for the second time in less than a year.
FCA fines Standard Life Assurance £31m for non-advised annuity sales failures
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fined Standard Life Assurance (SLA) nearly £31m after its practices led to conflicts of interest and SLA employees putting their financial needs above those of the firm's customers.
FCA Pension Plan slashes deficit by 28%
The deficit in the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) defined benefit (DB) scheme fell by £32.3m over the course of the year to 31 March this year, the watchdog has revealed.
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