Pensions Management Institute

Maggie Williams looks at whether chair's statements are having the desired effects, and what lies in their future.

The Money and Pensions Service (Maps) has published its first full report on progress on the pensions dashboard so far and has flagged “significant” delivery challenges in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

Jonathan Stapleton speaks to eight senior professional trustees about accreditation, diversity and the issues they face in their roles.

Voluntary accreditation of professional trustees will act as a quality mark and drive up scheme governance standards, argues Lesley Carline.

The industry has rejected the need for multiple professional trustee accreditation regimes after the Pensions Management Institute and Association of Professional Pension Trustees launched rival frameworks.

Trustees and their advisers could be “criminalised for doing the right thing” and left “fearful of acting” if Pension Schemes Bill wording is not amended, the Joint Industry Forum (JIF) says.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says it will press ahead with a 10% increase to the general levy from 1 April, despite a severe industry backlash to a consultation on the issue.

The launch of two accreditation regimes for professional trustees into the industry at the same time is both unnecessary and confusing, says Dalriada Trustees.

This week’s top stories included The Pensions Regulator’s announcement of new measures around the appointment of professional trustees, and the £3bn Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund completing a £1.6bn buy-in with Pension Insurance Corporation.

The Association of Professional Pension Trustees (APPT) will open to applications for its professional trustee accreditation framework from the start of the 2020/21 financial year.