Barnett Waddingham and ARC Pensions Law comment on the The Pensions Regulator publishing its guidance on Section 37 issues arising from Virgin Media Ltd vs NTL Pension Trustee II Ltd.
Comprehensive car insurance premiums have fallen by 9% (£66) during the last 12 months1 with UK motorists now paying £711 on average, according to the latest Confused.com Car Insurance Price Index in association with WTW.
Schroders, examines how concern is growing that an energy shock triggered by the Iran war will lead to a period of stagflation - something that may make investors wary. But history suggests stocks in an environment of low growth and high inflation may not perform as poorly as investors fear. On the back of soaring energy prices, fears are once again rising that the global economy could be heading in a stagflationary direction – one where economic growth is weak and inflation high.
Stocks, bonds, and gold all fell yesterday as markets want action, not words. Higher bond yields put pressure on finding a swift resolution in Iran. UK markets react to retail sales and consumer confidence data. US market sell-off showcases the benefits of diversification
Regulations made under section 37 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 restricted certain alterations to the rules of an occupational pension scheme contracted-out on the salary-related basis.
Almost one-in-three (28%) people who have attempted to switch pension providers in the last three years have found the process “difficult”. Worryingly, one-in-ten people said the process took three to six months, with the same proportion simply giving up on moving their retirement pot entirely.
See how early adopters are using AI to elevate human judgment and creativity. As AI adoption expands globally, board members and senior leaders are defining how to manage and govern the human + AI partnership to maximize their return on investment. They report key learnings. As early as 2019, Professor Mark Kennedy of Imperial College London distinguished between the role of AI in automation (replacing human tasks with technology), augmentation (improving human outcomes through technology) and addition (finding new sources of value).
A growing ‘protection gap' among UK motorists is becoming more apparent as consumers try to manage costs, according to new research from Close Brothers Motor Finance.
FTSE 100 dips after two days of gains. Gold slides below $4,500. US markets: Initial jobless claims in focus, 211k expected. Brent Crude heading towards $105. US natural gas storage figures later. Year-to-date prices -6.5% vs +90% for EU contracts. Memory stocks face their DeepSeek moment
Bond markets offering income levels not seen for a decade as yields reset after years of rising rates. Risk-adjusted returns from fixed income have strengthened, creating a rare window of opportunity for longer-term investors. Next year’s IHT changes are reshaping wealth planning, particularly how investors balance capital versus income when passing on assets. Tax year end is prompting investors to secure current yield levels.
More people could access financial advice, under proposals set out by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA is consulting on how to make it easier for firms to give more simplified forms of individualised financial advice to consumers.
The Consumer Prices Index rose by 3.0% in the 12 months to February 2026, unchanged from the 12 months to January. Clothing made the largest upward contribution to the monthly change, while motor fuels made the largest, offsetting, downward contribution. Core CPI (CPI excluding energy, food, alcohol and tobacco) rose by 3.2% in the 12 months to February 2026, up from 3.1% in the 12 months to January. Oil and gas prices remain highly elevated despite President Trump’s claims of progress in negotiations and a partial reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Standard Life and IG comment as CPI holds at 3% for February, broadly in line with expectations. However, conflict-related rising energy and cost pressures are expected to push inflation higher in the months ahead
Inflation announced as 3% for the 12-month period to February 2026.This is the last inflation figure released before the state pension increases by 4.8% from 6 April, indicating an above-inflation boost for pensioner purchasing power.Aegon calls for clarity on the government’s long-term plans, with the state pension set to sit just £23 under the £12,570 income tax threshold.
TPR CEO calls for industry to align behind a shared vision of generating a sustainable income for retirement savers. The Pensions Regulator (TPR) Chief Executive has challenged the pensions market to innovate to help deliver a modern system providing long-term value for savers and a secure income at retirement. In a speech to the JP Morgan Pensions and Savings Symposium, Chief Executive Nausicaa Delfas stressed that the UK pensions system is entering a new era with the current Pension Schemes Bill and work of the Pensions Commission.
Standard Life modelling shows that if the nil-rate band had risen in line with inflation since the beginning of its freeze, it would now be around £200,000 higher than its current level. 9 in 10 (89%) UK adults have little or no awareness of the upcoming inheritance tax (IHT) pension changes. Just one in seven Gen X understand how IHT works, despite being the generation most likely to currently be dealing with inheritance issues. 30% of UK adults think their estate will exceed the IHT threshold
M&G plc (“M&G”) today announces a £140 million bulk purchase annuity (BPA), securing the pension benefits of around 650 members of the Panasonic UK Pension Plan for Panasonic Europe, which through its subsidiaries is a leading supplier of consumer and business-related electronics products.
Stock markets initially rallied as President Trump delays targeting Iran’s power supply in favour of truce talks. Iran denied talks have begun, causing whipsaw in markets. Brent initially fell below $100, but has subsequently risen – though at lower level than the beginning of the week. Gilt yields started Monday at GFC highs, but fell through the day – lower UK inflation due tomorrow expected to dampen yields further
Elevated oil prices and rising inflation expectations from the Middle East conflict instinctively invite a parallel with 2022, when a supply shock met excess fiscal stimulus, causing breakevens to surge and developed market central banks to tighten aggressively.
Canada Life has secured the future benefits for more than 145 pensioners and 80 deferred members of the Phoenix Medical Supplies Pension Scheme by delivering a £30 million full-scheme buy-in transaction.
New Guided Retirement requirements proposed in the Pension Schemes Bill mean trustees of defined contribution (DC) pension schemes will need to select a "default pension benefit solution" for their members at retirement. The chosen solution has to provide an individual with a regular income throughout retirement and will become the default choice for any member who doesn't actively choose another solution at retirement.
The US–Israel war with Iran is destabilizing much of the surrounding Middle East, with businesses such as hotels, data centers, and pipelines facing heightened risk of damage. Rising geopolitical tensions are set to drive a rapid increase in demand for political risk insurance, according to GlobalData.
This week is the most popular week of the year for people to top up their pensionsStandard Life shares tips on how to get the most out of your pension each tax year