Quantum Advisory is encouraging employers to go ‘back to basics’ with their Group Income Protection (GIP) arrangements - particularly when reviewing the additional support services often included as part of these schemes.
Half of adults (50%) don’t know how much they’ll receive in their state pension, with almost a third (32%) unaware of the age they’ll receive it. With the state pension rising to £11,973 per year this month, Standard Life answers important questions around how it works
Speech by Therese Chambers, joint executive director of enforcement and market oversight, delivered at the Spring Conference of NYU’s Program on Corporate Compliance and Enforcement.
For years, pension savers have faced frustrating delays and unexpected tax bills when accessing their defined contribution (DC) pensions – often due to HMRC’s use of emergency tax codes. As we enter the 2025/26 tax year, HMRC has announced changes designed to reduce the need for tax reclaims by updating codes more efficiently. While this is a step forward, questions remain about whether the reform goes far enough to truly solve the problem.
The FCA has published further proposals to support the new regime for Consumer Composite Investments (CCIs), following an initial consultation at the end of 2024.
CPI inflation fell to 2.6% in March – down from 2.8% in February and 3% in January. This is what the markets had been expecting. On a monthly basis it was 0.3% (compared with 0.6% a year earlier). Core CPI (excluding energy, food, alcohol and tobacco) was 3.4% (down slightly from 3.5% in February) and services inflation was down at 4.7% (5% in February). What it means for rates, savings, annuities and mortgages.
Embedded insurance is rapidly emerging as the most promising distribution model for personal lines, outpacing traditional channels. By integrating coverage seamlessly at the point of sale, it enhances customer convenience and boosts conversion rates.
The FCA’s Sustainability Disclosure Regulations (SDR) might be voluntary for institutional investors, but the new rules have arrived at a crucial moment. Pension schemes are under increasing pressure to invest in a way that supports the transition to a more sustainable economy, while continuing to maximise members’ financial outcomes. Could understanding potential implications of the regime help them navigate the evolving sustainable investment landscape while meeting their fiduciary duties?
New research from PensionBee reveals that UK savers are highly cautious when it comes to their retirement savings, with just 8% willing to invest in high-risk assets.
Standard Life, My Pension Expert and Wealth Club comment as last month’s welcome fall continues but ‘Awful April’ price rises impact still to be felt. May rate cut by Bank of England looks likely, but cautious approach will be taken with inflation holding way above the 2% target
Schroders have announced it has been appointed by Scottish Friendly as its new investment management partner for a £2.1 billion multi-asset and insurance mandate.
New freedom of information data from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), obtained by Quilter, the financial adviser and wealth manager, reveals the freeze on income tax thresholds will result in 17.9 million Brits being dragged into paying the basic rate of income tax by 2027/28.
National Living Wage increased this month from £11.44 to £12.21 per hour. Employer National Insurance (NI) has also risen and the threshold at which employers begin paying NI for employees dropped from £9,100 to £5,000. For a business employing someone on average UK earnings of £37,430, the NI changes mean they will pay an extra £955 in NI each year. Switching to salary sacrifice for pension contributions can help businesses keep NI costs down.
Aon has said that 2025 is a key year for UK pension schemes and has formed the UK Endgame Strategy team to help schemes with the decision-making process as they review their endgames.
While dashboards may encourage individuals to consolidate their pension pots, consolidation of pension schemes and default funds are high on the Government’s agenda. Plans include the consolidation of the Local Government Pension Scheme as well as defined contribution pension schemes and defaults, delivering the majority of pensions for the private sector. The Minister for Pensions made it clear during the PLSA Investment Conference that measures to encourage consolidation will continue to be pursued.
What is something that we all have in common? The answer is planning for the future - and securing your financial future is key to having control of that. It's no surprise, then, that ISAs and pensions are so popular - 12.7 million people had private pensions in 2023/2024, and 26% adults intend to open an ISA this tax year.
Sole trustees have embraced the General Code and are using it as an opportunity to innovate their in-house governance approaches and ensure they can be held to the highest account for governance, according to a survey by Hymans Robertson.
Technology and AI governance remains a top concern for corporate directors and executives in 2025 relative to safeguarding data, managing new technologies and ensuring the necessary skills in the boardroom and across the organization. Effective board members understand the importance of technology for their businesses and their role in governing it. According to the National Association of Corporate Directors 2025 Trends and Priorities Survey, three of the 10 Director's Top Trends for 2025 involve technology governance.
Secures the benefits of around 700 pensioner and dependent members and almost 300 deferred members. Second transaction to complete objective of guaranteeing all member benefits, including more complex non-standard benefits.
PwC’s Buyout Index continued to record a surplus position, slightly increasing to £95bn in March 2025, demonstrating that the UK’s 5,000 corporate defined benefit (DB) pensions schemes continue to have, on average, sufficient assets to ‘buyout’ their pension promises.