The DWP has published its action plan into State Pension age communications, establishing a new strategy for effective, timely and modern communications on the State Pension.
CDC pensions explained: Answers to the most common questions on benefits, income, risks and how CDC schemes work. With growing focus on improving retirement outcomes in defined contribution (DC) schemes, the pensions industry and UK Government are increasingly aligned on the need for better retirement income solutions. Upcoming "Guided Retirement" requirements are expected to accelerate this shift. Collective Defined Contribution (CDC) schemes are an important part of this evolution.
Pension Insurance Corporation plc (“PIC”), a specialist insurer of defined benefit pension funds, has concluded a £35 million buy-in with the Royal Institute of British Architects 1974 Staff Pension Scheme (“the Scheme”), securing the benefits of 168 Scheme members.
The emergence of 10-15 megafunds by 2035 will drive better outcomes and facilitate increase in private market allocations. A more value-focused system could boost retirement savings pots by up to 20% while unlocking up to £115 billion in GDP and supporting 330,000 jobs across the UK from infrastructure investment alone. Calls for clearer implementation of reforms, with a shift from cost to value, supported by a clear and consistent regulatory framework. Eight key principles set out how the industry and policymakers can deliver these outcomes in practice
Brent crude sinks to $72 a barrel as supplies surge through the Strait of Hormuz. One energy shock replaces another for Europe as extreme heat sees wholesale peak electricity prices spike. Tech surges in Asia and on Wall Street after Micron results spark a fresh rally. South Korean memory chip maker SK Hynix plans to list in New York to capitalise on its heady $1 trillion valuation.
Comprehensive car insurance premiums have increased by 1% (£8) during the last three months1 with UK motorists now paying £719 on average, according to the latest Confused.com Car Insurance Price Index in association with WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company.
Mark Campbell, Head of Wealth Planning at Isio Wealth Management, comments on HMRC's publication of the detailed rules underpinning the new ISA regime from April 2027.
The Bank of England’s latest decision to hold rates at 3.75% may bring some stability, but many homeowners nearing the end of fixed deals still face significantly higher borrowing costs. Average five-year fixed mortgage rates have risen from 4.91% at the start of the year to 5.63%, meaning those rolling off older - 2.5% deals could see monthly repayments jump by around £866. Standard Life analysis shows that redirecting this extra £866 into a pension over 25 years from age 34 could add around £268,000 to retirement savings
The Wason selection task is a logic puzzle from the 1960s. It goes like this: You have 4 cards. Each card has a letter on one side, and a number on the other. You see 4 cards face up, showing A, G, 7, and 8. The question is then which cards do you need to turn over to test whether any card with an A on one side has a 7 on the other? If you get it wrong, you’re in good company- or at least in plenty of company.
Global tech rout takes a pause, but investors remain skittish. SpaceX comes down to Earth with a bump, burning off much of its post-launch steam. Investors remain wary about chipmaker valuations. Brent crude falls towards pre-war levels, as tanker traffic rises in Strait of Hormuz. Nasdaq set to open slightly higher, but nervousness remains, especially with the hike in interest rates from the Fed increasingly priced in. Pound dips as dollar strengthens but is also being kept lower due to speculation about UK economic policy. Wes Streeting is the front-runner to replace Rachel Reeves, but any new Chancellor is likely to initially focus on stability to try and reassure bond investors.
Every single trustee surveyed agrees there is increasing government pressure to use surpluses in ways that might conflict with fiduciary duties. Nearly two-thirds (62%) would be more likely to consider run-on strategies under the proposed Pension Schemes Bill. More than four in five (82%) believe low dependency is now a more appropriate long-term funding target than buy-out
It is being reported today that an announcement from the Treasury, confirming that interest from cash held in Stocks & Shares ISAs will face a 22% tax rate, is imminent.
New Defaqto analysis shows travel insurance prices have remained relatively stable since March, despite geopolitical tensions, with 5 Star cover still available at a modest premium to lower-rated policies.
9-in-10 (88%) trustees have not yet had the opportunity to decide about how new health innovations could affect scheme liabilities. Over two-thirds (69%) have not yet considered the impact of weight-loss drugs on longevity and benefit payments. Uncertainty over pace of future improvements raises questions over whether schemes may be underestimating future liabilities.
Steven Cameron, Pensions Director at Aegon, has urged politicians to address the long-term sustainability of the State Pension triple lock, warning that the next Prime Minister cannot continue to sidestep the issue.
The FCA has set out plans to drive greater consistency of standards in self-invested pensions (SIPPs), while maintaining the flexibility and broad investment choice they offer.
After a period of stabilising inflation, UK personal lines insurers are once again facing a more uncertain outlook. The recent conflict in Iran may not have fed directly into claims experience yet, but it has reopened questions around energy prices, supply chain costs and broader inflation expectations. Against that backdrop, three themes have been central for insurers in 2026 so far: inflation, pricing and claim frequency.
Nearly a third of UK adults (29%) aren't confident their family would cope if something happened to them unexpectedly, up from 23% last year. 45 to 54-year-olds in the ‘sandwich generation’ are the least assured of any age group, and are among those saving the least per month
Commenting, Charlotte Kennedy, Chartered Financial Planner at Rathbones, says: “A departing prime minister rarely changes your finances overnight, but political upheaval can create uncertainty that affects markets, confidence and expectations.
For the first time, investors and market participants can access a single, real-time source of prices and trading activity across the UK bond market, following the launch of its bond consolidated tape, operated by ETS Connect UK.
UK assets remain under pressure at the start of a week dominated by political speculation. Sir Keir Starmer is expected to step down as PM to make way for Andy Burnham. Chop and change in Westminster has made investors nervous about the direction of economic policy. Brent crude dips as hopes are revived about a path to peace in the Middle East. Private equity firm Castlelake doubles down on its takeover bid for easyJet.
Even the most advanced pricing strategies fail without execution at scale. Discover how insurers can operationalize insight through collaboration, cloud technology, automation, and AI. Think big and scale smarter. In today’s competitive insurance market, having a winning pricing strategy is only half the battle. The true differentiator? Execution at scale. As the old management consulting maxim says: “Strategy is a commodity; execution is an art.”
Utmost comments as HMRC’s latest Capital Gains Tax (CGT) data shows receipts of £168m for May 2026, the second month of the new 2026 / 2027 tax year, compared to the £232 million recorded in May 2025. This follows receipts of £162 million in April 2026. Inheritance Tax (IHT) receipts in May 2026, the second month of the new 2026 / 2027 tax year, totalled £730 million, compared to the £701 million recorded in May 2025. This follows receipts of £715 million in April 2026 - the first month of the new 2026 / 2027 tax year.
Lloyd’s welcomes the launch of a new Lloyd’s market consortium designed to provide additional marine war risk insurance capacity for vessels and cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Chubb will serve as lead underwriter, supported by participating Lloyd’s syndicates and specialist market partners. The consortium brings together leading underwriting expertise with additional Lloyd’s market capacity to support brokers and clients operating in a complex and fast-moving environment.
In 2026, two influential industry groups, the Investment Consultants Sustainability Working Group (ICSWG) and the Trustee Sustainability Working Group (TSWG), have committed to closer collaboration to accelerate progress on sustainability across the UK pensions and investment ecosystem.