Smart Pension
DWP taskforce sets out actions to enable large-scale consolidation of deferred small pots
The small pots working group has made a number of recommendations on how to tackle the growth of deferred members with small pension pots within the AE pensions market – urging the government and industry to take action to enable large-scale mass transfers....
DWP proposes hiked general levy over three years; DB costs to more than double
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a consultation on the future of the general levy, seeking to close a potential £230m funding gap if rates remain unchanged.
Covid pushes tech up the agenda but drags on pensions
The pensions industry still trails behind others with its use of technology, writes Holly Roach.
Smart launches retirement product
Smart has launched a retirement product in a bid to help guide members and bridge the advice gap.
Smart launches in the US as Secure Act widens access to pensions
Smart has formally entered the American pensions market ahead of the launch of a record-keeping solution for pension equity plans in 2021.
PP Rising Star Awards - The Winners
Here they are – the winners of the second annual Professional Pensions Rising Star Awards...
Government confirms pension freedoms age hike to 57
The government has confirmed the minimum pension age will rise from 55 to 57 by 2028 to coincide with the rise in the state pension age to 67.
WorkLife partners with Smart Pension to offer SME employees workplace pensions
Employee benefits service WorkLife has partnered with Smart Pension to add workplace pensions to its digital platform.
WPC asks industry for ideas to solve small pots problem
The Work and Pensions Committee (WPC) has asked the industry for “workable solutions” to address the problem of problem of proliferating small pension pots.
Dashboard data call for input launched as schemes urged to get 'on the front foot'
The Pensions Dashboards Programme (PDP) has launched a formal call for input, seeking industry views on data standards for the initial dashboards.
Darren Philp: Covid-19 will give the industry the 'kick up the backside' it needs to move to modernity
Beer and brainfood: How Smart Pension has coped with a crisis
Natixis makes strategic equity investment in Smart
Natixis Investment Managers has made a strategic investment in Smart, the technology platform behind the Smart Pension master trust.
Tapered allowance thresholds confirmed to rise by £90,000
The government will raise the two tapered annual allowance thresholds by £90,000 in a bid to reduce the tax impact on high-earning NHS staff.
Smart Pension to consolidate Welplan Pensions Master Trust
Smart Pension is set to take on all members and employers of the Welplan Pensions Master Trust, following its closure last year.
Dashboards must learn from open banking
Lessons must be learned from open banking in order to make the pensions dashboard a success for the modern saver, says Darren Philp.
Stop, look, listen, think: What the DWP should do for the general levy
Government plans to increase the general levy will disproportionately hit members who have been auto-enrolled, says Darren Philp
General levy increase gets broadly negative response from industry
The Department for Work and Pensions’ consultation on increasing the general levy has closed. Holly Roach looks at the industry’s response to its proposals
DWP annual benefit statement consultation questions voluntary adoption
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a consultation setting out proposals for the adoption and launch of simpler annual benefit statements. Holly Roach reports
Milestone for Star Initiative as it reaches 50 participants
The government-backed Star Initiative has reached 50 signatories, surpassing its initial target of 30. Holly Roach looks at the project’s progress.
The hopes and concerns for the future of trusteeship
TPR’s consultation on the future of trusteeship closed last week, but there are mixed views on its proposals. Kim Kaveh looks at the industry’s responses.
Governance and investment innovation in DC
Improvements in governance are leading to increasing investment innovation in DC. In this roundtable, panellists discuss charges, alternative investments and how schemes are approaching ESG
Poor governance just as bad for DC funds as high costs
Low member engagement, poor scheme governance, and multiple pots can be equally as detrimental to defined contribution (DC) funds as opaque charges and high costs, research finds.
Ten schemes publicly back Cost Transparency Initiative
Ten pension schemes representing over 19 million members and more than £150bn in assets under management have written a joint public letter endorsing the Cost Transparency Initiative (CTI).
Smart Pension and Lewis master trust authorised
Smart Pension and The Lewis Workplace Pension Trust have been authorised by The Pensions Regulator (TPR), taking the total number of approved schemes to 22.
