Pensions Planner – Autumn 2023

Here is the latest edition of our Pensions Planner, which will help you identify the key pension issues your scheme or organisation needs to address in the coming months. The latest edition includes: the Mansion House Reforms and the Autumn Statement Defined Benefit Superfunds – a new regulatory approach and the first transaction a Pensions Ombudsman … Read more

Solving the small pots problem

The Government has launched a consultation on proposals to eliminate the proliferation of small pension pots by introducing a solution involving multiple authorised default consolidators. Initially, the proposed solution would apply to deferred pots with a value of less than £1,000. Based on current data, this would help to eliminate up to 61% (12.1 million) … Read more

Chancellor seeks to unlock the power of UK pension investments

As expected, the Chancellor used his annual Mansion House speech last night to announce a series of initiatives designed to increase the amount UK pension funds invest in UK high-growth companies and to boost returns for pension savers. The Chancellor also announced measures designed to strengthen the UK’s position as a listing destination, as well … Read more

Life as a Professional Trustee: EP1

In the latest podcast from the Herbert Smith Freehills’ pensions team, Tim Smith, Professional Support Consultant, is joined by Jane Beverley, Professional Trustee at Law Debenture to discuss: • what life is like as a professional trustee; • key challenges schemes are grappling with at the moment; • a trustee perspective on calls for pension … Read more

What next for the PPI’s UK Pension Framework?

In the latest podcast from the Herbert Smith Freehills’ pensions team, Tim Smith, Professional Support Consultant, is joined by Anna Brain, Research Associate at the Pension Policy Institute (PPI) and Lead Researcher on the UK Pensions Framework project. Among other things, Tim and Anna discuss: • what the PPI UK Framework is and how it … Read more

The Evolving At Retirement Pensions Market

In the latest podcast from the Herbert Smith Freehills’ pensions team, Mark Howard, Of Counsel, is joined by Claire Altman, Managing Director of Individual Retirement at Phoenix to discuss: the challenges for retirement decision making; retirement product design and advice for members; and whether collective DC schemes might offer an alternative solution at retirement. To … Read more

Funding Code delayed, new LDI guidance and further updates from tPR

The Pensions Regulator has confirmed that the new statutory funding requirements for defined benefit (DB) schemes and the associated new Code of Practice will not now come into force until April 2024 at the earliest. This is set out in the Regulator’s Corporate Plan for 2023/24, which also contains updates on the new General Code, … Read more