http://www.pensionlawyerblog.com Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:24:13 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Avid readers of Professional Pensions may have seen an ariticle in the 6th September edition regarding the case of Waddy v Foster Wheeler (yes, THAT Foster Wheeler - just can't seem to keep out of the pension press can it??). I was asked to comment on the case just as ... http://www.pensionlawyerblog.com/pensionlets-keep-it-civil An article in the Times today (20 Jun 2011) has raised the issue of the development of a two tier occupational pension being provided by companies. Those of us well versed in the machinations of the UK pension industry would probably say 'so what else is new' but maybe for ... http://www.pensionlawyerblog.com/pensions-tiers We've had some meat on the bones of the Hutton proposals today with a statement from Treasury Minister Danny Alexander too. You can read my earlier thoughts on Hutton in my blog "Hutton Speaks...and Makes Sense" below. But despite this, the knee jerk reaction of the Public Sector unions is, ... http://www.pensionlawyerblog.com/pensions-unions In an earlier life I was the Legal Director of the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority, the predecessor body to the current Pension Regulator. One of the issues which took up a considerable amount of management and investigatory time concerned a scam called 'Pension Liberation'. It worked like this. Gullible people ... http://www.pensionlawyerblog.com/pensions-untouchable After a bit of a break to recharge my pension batteries (lounging on a beach works wonders!!) normal service is resumed with a report of recent happenings in the pensionsphere. I have just got back from a fantastic conference organised by Mallowstreet which was frankly unlike any pension conference I've ever ... http://www.pensionlawyerblog.com/get-with-the-rhythm Today's big story of course is the Government green paper on the future of the basic state pension. Currently one of the lowest in the developed world it stands at a paltry £97.65 a week (assuming you have a full National Insurance record) rising to a minimum income guraranteed top ... http://www.pensionlawyerblog.com/pensions-green-paper We have now had the full report which did not fundamentally differ from the Interim Report issued at the back end of last year. Workers will now have to work to 65, pay higher contributions and the final salary scheme will become a career average scheme, meaning that rather than ... http://www.pensionlawyerblog.com/pensions-hutton Once again Europe has spoken and this time it's the women who will pay - well sort of. The latest diktat from the ECJ has declared that it will no longer be legal for insurance companies to use sex based factors when pricing products whether that be car insurance, life ... http://www.pensionlawyerblog.com/pensions-ec Just a shameless plug actually for a Zen themed Breakfast Seminar at which I, together with an Actuary and an Investment Manager will give some insights on how to get the best out of your pension advisors. The Seminar will be held at the offices of GAM, 20 King Street, London ... http://www.pensionlawyerblog.com/the-art-of-wise-instruction Slightly hidden away in the bowels of the Daily Telegraph comment section is a piece about Wedgwood Potteries. Sadly this wonderful British institution has faced financial difficulties in recent years and as a result, the pension scheme has had to go into the Pension Protection Fund in order to be ... http://www.pensionlawyerblog.com/pensions-wedgwoo