Average DB transfer compensation remains low albeit compensation still due in many cases with each redress cases assessed on its own merits. CMCs shift focus to other areas where there has been ‘secret commission,’ including motor finance, AVCs and consumer credit Posted on Wednesday Jul 9
Consumers welcome Targeted Support’s potential to provide more relevant help with retirement income decisions, greater direction and the filtering out of information that isn’t relevant. Opportunity to reduce anxiety and sense of being overwhelmed when it comes to key retirement decisions. Acceptance that it’s possible to make suggestions for groups of consumers, that are relevant but not personal to them. Study participants recognise they are responsible for the decisions they take as a result of the service, and that they are being given suggestions based on their customer segment. Posted on Wednesday Jul 9
Comment form Jon Greer, head of retirement policy at Quilter on the OBR's fiscal risks and sustainability report and in particular its forecasts around the State Pension costs: Posted on Tuesday Jul 8
Standard Life, Broadtone and Gallagher comment on the Pension Protection Fund’s 7800 Index update for June 2025 on the latest estimated funding position for all PPF-eligible defined benefit pension schemes. The aggregate surplus of the 4,969 schemes in the PPF 7800 Index increased by £9.4 billion through June 2025, rising from £221.1 billion to £230.5 billion. The funding ratio rose by 0.6 percentage points to 126.2% and the number of schemes in surplus rose to 3,635 representing nearly three-quarters (73.2%) of all schemes in the universe. Posted on Tuesday Jul 8
This update provides the latest estimated funding position, based on adjusting the scheme valuation data supplied to The Pensions Regulator as part of the schemes’ annual scheme returns, on a section 179 (s179) basis, for the defined benefit pension schemes potentially eligible for entry to the Pension Protection Fund (PPF). Posted on Tuesday Jul 8
LGPS administering authorities may struggle to deliver the changes proposed in the LGPS Access and Fairness consultation, because they are already delivering other time-intensive changes such as the McCloud remedy and connection to the Pensions Dashboard, argues Hymans Robertson. Posted on Tuesday Jul 8
New research from Barnett Waddingham (BW), reveals a worrying gap between confidence and actual planning among SIPP savers, with nearly two-thirds expecting a comfortable retirement – despite few having set financial goals or used tools to model their income needs. The analysis highlights a ‘retirement mirage’ for thousands of savers and explores the role advice, dashboards, and better planning could play. Posted on Tuesday Jul 8
Morningstar DBRS published a commentary examining the rising demand for pension risk transfer (PRT) deals in light of growing retiree populations and longer life expectancy across the globe. Posted on Tuesday Jul 8
XPS Group estimates that the aggregate surplus of UK pension schemes against long-term funding targets remains extremely positive at ~£189bn, a fall of £2bn compared to the end of last month, up £26bn versus the end of June 2024. Aggregate scheme assets marginally increased over June 2025, as growth assets experienced positive returns, along with matching assets increasing in line with liabilities. Aggregate scheme liabilities increased slightly, driven by decreases in gilt yields. Posted on Monday Jul 7
A major survey of consulting actuaries, who will be key advisers to trustees in making decisions on the release of defined benefit (DB) pension surplus, has underscored that trustees should be at the heart of the decision process. The majority of respondents to the survey conducted in May by the Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA) also supported surplus release to be permitted at or marginally above low dependency compared to the current solvency-based level. Posted on Monday Jul 7
Spending time with friends and family and travel top list of Baby Boomers’ goals. Only 20% aged 60-78 said leaving an inheritance was a top-five retirement priority Posted on Monday Jul 7
Poll results from a recent LCP webinar on the pension risk transfer (PRT) market show that member experience is rising up the agenda for schemes when selecting an insurer. Posted on Friday Jul 4
Fully-hedged scheme sees funding position increase by 1.0 percentage point to 70.3% at the end of June. 50% hedged scheme sees smaller gain of 0.4 percentage point through June but increases by 2.8 percentage points through H1 2025 to 106.2%. H1 2025 characterised by significant market volatility in the wake of ‘Liberation Day’ with no guarantees of smoother H2. Posted on Friday Jul 4
The Financial Times reported overnight that the Chancellor will use her Mansion House speech to kickstart the pensions adequacy review via a commission and also to examine the state pension. Posted on Friday Jul 4
The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) has become Pensions UK as it launches an ambitious new strategy for the next decade and beyond. Posted on Wednesday Jul 2
Hymans Robertson has published a checklist to help sponsors of defined benefit (DB) pension schemes establish a plan for run-on as they face a constantly shifting regulatory landscape. Over half (52%) of attendees at a recent webinar hosted by the firm said that regulation posed the biggest risk to their run-on strategy. The checklist is designed to help them minimise this risk and navigate their way through the increasingly complex decisions. Posted on Wednesday Jul 2
Expected redress payments arising from Defined Benefit transfer advice remained broadly stable during the second quarter of 2025. First Actuarial’s Redress Tracker shows that the likely redress on a book of Defined Benefit transfer advice remains below 5% of the total transfer value, despite market volatility during the quarter. Posted on Tuesday Jul 1
Back in November 2024, Cartwright Pension Trusts announced its role in facilitating the first-ever UK DB pension trust investment in Bitcoin. With the small 3% allocation proving a success for the client, they estimate that bitcoin has a legitimate role for c500 DB trusts and the majority of DC trusts. However, they also recognise that bitcoin is a polarising topic, as is often the case with new innovations. Posted on Tuesday Jul 1
Male players in the English Premier League earn an average of more than £3 million per year, while their female counterparts average around £47,000. The gender pension gap in the UK is estimated to be more than double the gender pay gap - up to 40.5%. Women are 20% more likely than men to reduce pension contributions in times of financial pressure Posted on Tuesday Jul 1
Majority of adults aged 66+ say that Triple Lock is affordable and fair to older generations. Around one in seven rely on the State Pension to provide over 90% of retirement income Posted on Tuesday Jul 1
New analysis finds urgent need for improvements in contribution levels, investment performance, fee awareness and saving timelines. Long-term retirement security at risk for many as understanding and knowledge remains low Posted on Friday Jun 27
XPS Group’s Transfer Value Index fell to a new month-end low in May 2025, the third consecutive monthly record. The Index fell to £137,000 during the month, matching the mid-month low seen in April 2025. This decline reflects small increases in gilt yields across the month, whilst future inflation expectations have remained stable. Posted on Wednesday Jun 25
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