Shock unravelling of gold and silver prices has continued. Fed chair pick sparked the sell-off but easing geopolitical tensions exacerbate falls. FTSE 100 opens in the red and Wall Street is set for a slide. Mining, energy and tech set to be under pressure as risk appetite is dampened
Almost three-quarters of UK defined contribution (DC) pension schemes (69%) are planning to access private markets through Long-Term Asset Funds (LTAFs), new research from Schroders in association with Longview Networks, can reveal.
Sheldon is leading a long-term review into AI and retail financial services, reporting to the FCA Board in the summer with recommendations to help the FCA continue to play a leading role in shaping AI-enabled financial services.AI is already shaping financial services, but its longer-term effects may be more far-reaching. This review will consider how emerging uses of AI could influence consumers, markets and firms, looking towards 2030 and beyond.
Only one in three UK pension schemes using fiduciary management currently has formal, independent oversight in place, despite clear expectations from regulators, according to data compiled by XPS
ABI Board and member group governance refresh to elevate and align decision-makingNew pension group to focus on the Bulk Purchase Annuity market and investmentChairs confirmed across the four lead groups
Footsie set to end the week flat, after stocks slip back Stateside. Gold retreats from record highs as investors take profits after its glittering run up. Brent Crude edges back lower but is still set to sharpest weekly gain in two years. Wall Street set to trade lower as speculation swirls about the next chair of the Federal Reserve. Worries rise about huge AI spend not delivering on expectations. Apple’s softly-softly approach to AI appears to be reaping rewards.
More than £46 million was reclaimed in overtaxation on pension withdrawals in October, November and December 2025, the latest HMRC figures reveal. During the quarter there were 13,652 reclaim forms processed, with an average reclaim of £3,388. Over £1.5 billion has now been reclaimed by people overtaxed on pension withdrawals since 2015. How taking a small withdrawal when you first access your pension could ease overtaxation pain. Alternatively, savers can fill out one of three HMRC forms and get their money back within 30 days
Next rate cut not expected until June and President clearly anxious over state of the economy ahead of Congressional elections. Ghost of Arthur Burns, who trigged a wave of inflation in the 1970s, still haunts the Fed, says Rathbones’ Head of Market Analysis. Weak dollar represents portfolio headwinds for sterling-based investors
ONS data on the ownership of UK quoted shares demonstrates the radical fall in the proportion of shares held by UK insurers and pension companies over the past two decades.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has called on the insurance industry to help more consumers access products that support them and their families if they become critically ill or die.
Proposed changes to the Lifetime ISA (LISA) may simplify support for first-time buyers - but risk abandoning thousands of savers who have used the LISA to save or supplement their retirement, PensionBee warns.
Crude prices surge as an attack on Iran appears imminent given US military build up. Gold and silver head even higher amid intense safe haven demand. Meta shares take off as results exceed expectations, as it intensifies its artificial intelligence push. Microsoft’s mismatch between soaring AI spend and slower cloud growth unnerves investors. S&P 500 set for another move into record-breaking territory.
New qualitative study explores psychological biases, decision-making processes, and lived experiences during the transition from saving to spending in retirement. Findings highlight complexity and emotional uncertainty, with people valuing flexibility and control but struggling with jargon and decision-making. Implications for bridging the advice gap: People’s experiences are far from uniform, creating both challenges and opportunities for Targeted Support, Simplified Advice and Guided Retirement as they move into the spotlight in 2026.
The Prudential Regulatory Authority (PRA) has confirmed that the Dynamic General Insurance Stress Test (DyGIST) will start in May 2026. This isn’t the first stress test the PRA has carried out, but this time the difference is clear in the name – it will be dynamic. Firms will deal with a 'live' exercise spanning three weeks, requiring insurers to react as they would in real life, dealing with an evolving event and responding to queries from the regulator in real time. Equally, the PRA is using this exercise as an opportunity to test its own processes in dealing with a stress event.
S&P 500 hits 7,000 for the first time. Forecast beating tech results put fire under chip stocks. Fed expected to keep rates on hold later, but bets are on for cuts this year.
Almost 42,000 people claimed a delayed State Pension in 2023/24 according to figures obtained by Royal London. People who delay claiming their State Pension for a year are entitled to higher payments. Delaying claiming the State Pension by a year means an extra 5.8% is added to your pension
The Managing General Agents’ Association (MGAA) today outlined its priorities for 2026 at its Annual General Meeting (AGM), alongside announcing updates to its Board. Against a backdrop of continued regulatory scrutiny and sustained growth in the MGA sector, the MGAA said its focus for the year ahead will be on expanding member value, enhancing its technical training programme, deepening market engagement and strengthening the voice of delegated underwriting across the UK and Ireland.
LGPS Funds should take the mandatory reporting of Gender Pensions Gap as an opportunity to support women, and work with employers toward reducing the difference in pension savings between men and women, says Hymans Robertson.
The dollar fell to 2022 levels as US President, Donald Trump, commented that the recent weakness was “great” Gold continued its climb, hitting yet another record. Big day for Big Tech as the market awaits earnings from Meta, Microsoft and Tesla today, Apple tomorrow – with ASML starting strong. Fed decision day, widely expected that the bank will hold rates at 3.75%, but Chair Powell’s statement may trigger volatility. Derren Nathan, head of equity research, unpacks the impact of the Defra consultation on CVS Group
The Standard Life Annuity Rates Tracker rose 5.48% in 2025. Rise worth an extra £7,000 – £9,000 in lifetime income for a healthy 65-year-old man/woman. £100,000 pension pot now delivers up to £7,510 a year
Over one in 10 businesses that don’t currently provide PMI benefits to employees say they definitely plan to introduce PMI in next 3 years, with a further fifth actively considering itABI data reveals record PMI claims and workplace insurance coverage
As we step into a new year, many of us are setting fresh objectives – both personal and professional. For those operating in the Construction Professional Indemnity (PI) space, this is an ideal moment to sharpen your approach to contractual risk management. Why? Because robust risk controls don’t just protect your business – they can also help secure better insurance terms and demonstrate to clients that you’re serious about governance.