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Latest news and analysis
Housing benefit does not support pension saving, PPI research finds
Every £1 of private pension income reduces housing benefit entitlement by 65p, the Pensions Policy Institute reports, leaving only 35p as an improvement to a person’s disposable income.
Bulk annuities latest: Aston Martin secures £180m buy-in; Isio marks 20 micro deals
A roundup of the latest bulk annuity market news, including a full scheme buy-in for Aston Martin Lagonda and Isio’s micro scheme service reaching 20 transactions.
TPR warns plumbing companies after taking action on section 75 debt
The Pensions Regulator issued warning notices and fined an accountant in its efforts to secure a section 75 debt payment from a company exiting the £1.2bn Plumbing & Mechanical Services Industry Pension Scheme.
Bulk annuity market competition could push PPF liabilities down further
The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) is consulting on changes to its liability valuation methods in light of increased competition in the bulk annuity market.
WTW opens up longevity swap market to sub-£1bn pension schemes
WTW said its new service, known as Longevity Stream, aimed to make hedging life expectancy risks “more accessible, efficient and cost-effective”.
CDC: Pensions industry showing cautious interest in new model, polls show
As legislation facilitating collective defined contribution pension schemes edges closer, professionals are eager to discover what the new model could bring. However, the consensus is not universal, as Sara Benwell and Nick Reeve report.
Buying British: Railpen, Nest, LGPS pools exploring UK ‘scale up’ fund
Leading investment institutions are in talks with the British Business Bank and the Office for Investment about the creation of a £1bn fund to drive investment into domestic companies seeking scale-up capital.
Bulk annuities: M&G strikes latest ‘BPA Plus’ deal; Standard Life insures subsidiary’s scheme
Two innovative buy-ins were announced this week, featuring a with-profits element and residual risk cover while negotiating potential conflicts of interest.
Your views needed: DC and private markets survey
Pensions Expert has teamed up with leading custodian CACEIS to explore how DC schemes are investing in private markets. Take part in our research and be in with a chance of winning a £100 M&S voucher by clicking here and filling in a short survey.
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Comment
No ordinary update: why the PPI’s Pensions Primer will be different this year
The Pensions Policy Institute is in the process of updating its influential ‘Pension Primer’ and, as senior policy analyst John Adams explains, it is no small task.
Paul Maynard: Getting the ear of government is harder than you think
Former pensions minister Paul Maynard laments how hard it is to stand out from the crowd when trying to gain traction with members of parliament, and gives some advice to those trying to influence the political agenda.
Power to the people: Manchesterism, megafunds and member-nominated trustees
As new prime minister Andy Burnham sets out his plans for the UK, Janice Turner, honorary president of the Association of Member Nominated Trustees, contrasts his devolution approach with the consolidation of defined contribution pension schemes.
SPP: Managing pension scheme risk in an increasingly uncertain world
Jordan Irvine of the Society of Pension Professionals unpacks recent market movements and geopolitical activity to explore what it means for defined benefit pension schemes and their investment strategies.
Latest features
CDC: Pensions industry showing cautious interest in new model, polls show
As legislation facilitating collective defined contribution pension schemes edges closer, professionals are eager to discover what the new model could bring. However, the consensus is not universal, as Sara Benwell and Nick Reeve report.
Now Pensions on social housing and private markets investing
Martyn James, director of investment at Now Pensions, explains how the £7.1bn master trust is allocating to affordable and social housing as part of its private markets strategy.
In Depth: Inside the government’s pensions policy bonanza
From Value for Money to surplus release via scale and consolidation discussions and levy arguments, Monday’s roadmap announcement has given the pensions industry a lot to think about.
What the pensions industry wants from the Pensions Commission
Pensions Expert has collated a selection of views from senior representatives, each exploring what they would like to see from the final report when it is published next year.
Special report: Which companies are driving bulk annuity activity?
Pensions Expert analysis shows which law firms, professional trustees and consultants are most active in the bulk annuity market.
CDC: Pensions industry showing cautious interest in new model, polls show
Now Pensions on social housing and private markets investing
In Depth: Inside the government’s pensions policy bonanza
What the pensions industry wants from the Pensions Commission
Special report: Which companies are driving bulk annuity activity?
Latest on Defined Benefit
TPR warns plumbing companies after taking action on section 75 debt
The Pensions Regulator issued warning notices and fined an accountant in its efforts to secure a section 75 debt payment from a company exiting the £1.2bn Plumbing & Mechanical Services Industry Pension Scheme.
Bulk annuity market competition could push PPF liabilities down further
The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) is consulting on changes to its liability valuation methods in light of increased competition in the bulk annuity market.
WTW opens up longevity swap market to sub-£1bn pension schemes
WTW said its new service, known as Longevity Stream, aimed to make hedging life expectancy risks “more accessible, efficient and cost-effective”.
Bulk annuities: M&G strikes latest ‘BPA Plus’ deal; Standard Life insures subsidiary’s scheme
Two innovative buy-ins were announced this week, featuring a with-profits element and residual risk cover while negotiating potential conflicts of interest.
People news
Appointments: Vidett, Aptia, Hymans, Gowling WLG, State Street, M&G
The latest hires, promotions and appointments for the week ending 24 July 2026.
Appointments: Nest, Hymans Robertson, Aon, Quantum
The latest hires, promotions and appointments for the week ending 17 July 2026.
Appointments: Zedra, Aptia, PASA, Cartwright, Hargreaves
The latest hires, promotions and appointments for the week ending 10 July 2026.
Appointments: New faces on trustee boards at Aon, Now Pensions
The latest hires, promotions and appointments for the week ending 3 July 2026.
Latest videos from Pensions Expert
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Latest on Defined Contribution
Housing benefit does not support pension saving, PPI research finds
Every £1 of private pension income reduces housing benefit entitlement by 65p, the Pensions Policy Institute reports, leaving only 35p as an improvement to a person’s disposable income.
CDC: Pensions industry showing cautious interest in new model, polls show
As legislation facilitating collective defined contribution pension schemes edges closer, professionals are eager to discover what the new model could bring. However, the consensus is not universal, as Sara Benwell and Nick Reeve report.
No one answer to low earners’ pension dilemma, says PPI
No single change to the auto-enrolment regime will protect all low earners, according to the Pensions Policy Institute, with the removal of the lower earnings limit posing short-term affordability issues for many.
Pension transfer reform needs rethink to ensure consistency, industry says
Respondents to a government consultation have warned that some elements need more work, including a requirement for ceding schemes to assess the appropriateness of a receiving arrangement.
Latest on Dashboards
Bell says dashboard ‘has improved data quality’ as launch confirmed for 2027
The DWP has confirmed that 85% of schemes have connected to the dashboard ecosystem, with all in-scope schemes expected to meet the 31 October statutory connection deadline.
Always A Pensions Angle: Fit for the Future, Dashboards, and Retirement Living Standards
This week sees the podcast team looking at the LGPS, which has a little more time to get Fit for the Future as some important deadlines have been extended. There are also updates on dashboards, AI, and Retirement Living Standards.
Major master trusts collaborate to cut pension transfer times
Providers including Nest, the People’s Pension, Smart Pension, and Now Pension have established Pathfinder, a working group that will explore “practical ways to improve pension transfers”.
Dashboards update: Connection coverage reaches 85% as final deadlines approach
The Money and Pensions Service expects the MoneyHelper dashboard to become available to the general public during the 2027-28 financial year.
