Analysis – Page 9
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AnalysisWhat are the new flexible retirement options?
If you read nothing else, read this…A number of changes announced in the 2014 Budget give pensions more flexibility.Employees can choose to take their pension wealth as a lump sum, drawdown or as an annuity.New tax rules will help provide greater flexibility.A guidance guarantee will ensure pension members get advice ...
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AnalysisWhy pension investment lifestyling strategies need a re-style
Now that members have the freedom to access their pension funds whenever they wish (once they have reached the age of 55), it is harder to manage the default fund so that it is likely to give a good outcome for members. The default fund has been part of the ...
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AnalysisWhat is paid for in contract-based pensions administration?
If you read nothing else, read this…In a contract-based pension scheme, administration will be performed by the plan provider.Pension administration includes collecting and allocating contributions, handling compliance and providing annual statements.Typically, an annual management charge (AMC) covers the costs of administration.The costs relating to pensions administration, and their disclosure, have ...
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AnalysisWhere does responsibility for default pension investments lie?
If you read nothing else, read this …The primary responsibility for a defined contribution pension default fund strategy lies with the sponsoring employer.Employer responsibility is particularly important for contract-based schemes even though the employer role is implied.A board of trustees will have responsibility for the default investment in trust-based schemes.Employees ...
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Analysis
What can employers do if they are struggling to comply with auto-enrolment?
If you read nothing else, read this…The number of employers stuggling to comply is likely to rise as small employers begin auto-enrolment.The Pensions Regulator (TPR) issued its first section 89 report to highlight key lessons to help employers avoid non-compliance.TPR runs webinars to offer advice.TPR and pension consultants can focus ...
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Analysis
Why employers are struggling to engage staff in workplace pensions
If you read nothing else, read this…Contradictory government legislation is not helping employers promote pension savings efforts.Employers must support staff to actively engage with their workplace pension scheme.For some employees, pension contributions are just another irritating deduction from pay.Employers are consequently grappling with how best to engage these employees to ...
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AnalysisThe role of independent governance committees
If you read nothing else, read this… Pension providers will have to set up independent committees to monitor their investment and administration activities from April 2015.This is an imperfect solution because the committees will not be able to take account of every employer’s scheme.There is also scepticism about what changes ...
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Analysis
Top tips for engaging staff in at-retirement planning
If you read nothing else, read this…The Chancellor’s decision to scrap compulsory annuity purchase for defined contribution (DC) pension scheme members means employers must rethink their at-retirement strategies.But they should not forget to communicate basic pension information.Staff need to consider carefully the income they are likely to need in retirement.1. ...
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Analysis
Gamification in pensions communication
If you read nothing else, read this…Gamification is a trend to employ game mechanics in non-game environments.Employees could receive a reward for completing a games process.Gamified design of pension communications must not be tedious.By 2015, 50% of organisations will gamify innovation processes (Gartner).According to technology research firm Gartner’s Future of ...
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AnalysisThe problems payroll is causing for pensions auto-enrolment
If you read nothing else, read this…Processing pay and pension contributions has been an issue.Auto-enrolment consultants have seen organisations’ payroll providers over-sell their solutions.Payroll providers have struggled to send out legal communications.A second wave of purchasing is taking place, with employers switching providers.The payroll function’s role is vital for the ...
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AnalysisHow to maximise savings from tax-efficient employee benefits
If you read nothing else, read this…Salary sacrifice arrangements can increase employee engagement with benefits.Employers can use NI savings from salary sacrifice arrangements to help fund pensions auto-enrolment, introduce new benefits, or cover the cost of benefits technology.It is important to communicate the value of tax-efficient benefits to employees.These savings ...
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Analysis
Martin Palmer: What lies beneath auto-enrolment?
Auto-enrolment is on course to breathe new life into pension saving. But what hidden factors could affect its fate, and how can employers set their scheme apart? As the focus of auto-enrolment shifts from large organisations in low numbers to smaller businesses in high volumes, a picture is already emerging ...
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AnalysisDale Critchley: Budget pension changes have positive impact for employers
So what does this watershed moment mean for the future of workplace pensions? There is little doubt that for employees, coming so soon after the introduction of auto-enrolment, it is another positive. But what about the possible benefits for employers?Common threadsThere are two themes running through the recent reforms. First ...
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AnalysisHow are The Pensions Regulator’s quality assurance steps useful for employers?
If you read nothing else, read this…The Pensions Regulator’s code of practice sets out six principles and 31 quality features.The code is useful to help employers meet pension governance requirements.TPR expects pension schemes to comply with the code.The code may need to be rewritten to accommodate new measures introduced by ...
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AnalysisHow to educate staff about at-retirement choices
If you read nothing else, read this…At-retirement education programmes should focus on employees’ desired lifestyle when they stop work.Employers should also consider employees who may want to work longer.Competent pensions managers can offer cost-effective financial education programmes in-house.Employers should first focus on educating employees about the lifestyle changes they are ...
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AnalysisBack to basics on diversified growth funds
A diversified growth fund is managed actively so that the range of asset classes changes over time, with the aim of delivering a reasonable rate of return but with less risk than a single asset fund.If you read nothing else, read this …A diversified growth fund invests in a broad ...
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AnalysisThe impact of an ageing workforce on a benefits strategy
If you read nothing else, read this…Older employees may choose to work because they enjoy their job, not because they can’t afford to retire.An ageing workforce requires employers to rethink the make-up of their benefits.Workforce planning should be about employees’ skillsets, not their age.Employees aged over 50 make up 27% ...
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AnalysisLanguage to avoid in pension communications
If you read nothing else, read this…Communication should be clear and straightforward, avoiding jargon where possible.Messages could be tailored for different age groups and industry sectors.Jargon can put employees off saving for retirement.A National Employment Savings Trust (Nest)/YouGov survey, published in 2012, which polled nearly 2,000 UK adults, revealed that ...