All articles by Rebecca Patton – Page 3

  • Article

    DB pension schemes close at record rate

    2013-01-28T12:21:00Z

    Defined benefit (DB) pension schemes in the private sector are closing to new members at the fastest rate on record, according to research by the National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF).The NAPF Annual survey, which was conducted among 1,018 pension schemes with a total of nine million members, found that ...

  • Article

    Flat-rate state pension may cause DB rethink

    2013-01-28T07:00:00Z

    Plans also include the abolition of contracting out, which would mean a rise in national insurance contributions (NICs) for employers and employees with defined benefit (DB) pension schemes.Malcolm McLean, consultant at Barnett Waddingham, said: “Many private sector employers are expected to want to claw back the extra money they have ...

  • Article

    Employers make bonus choices as tax rate changes

    2013-01-28T06:40:00Z

    Last month, after a media outcry, Goldman Sachs decided not to defer staff bonuses from 2009, 2010 and 2011 to make the most of higher-rate income tax being reduced from 50% to 45% in April.But, on 21 January, insurance broker Aon said that it had offered senior staff this option ...

  • Article

    Legislation changes on the way in 2013

    2013-01-28T06:15:00Z

    Catherine Wilson, partner at Thomas Eggar, said a number of statutory maximum awards will increase in February, such as the cap on compensation awards for unfair dismissal and statutory redundancy pay, based on a week’s pay, which will rise to £450.In March, unpaid statutory parental leave will rise from 13 ...

  • Analysis

    Benefits on offer around the world

    2013-01-28T05:15:00Z

    Local market knowledge can help employers to offer attractive and competitive benefits packages to recruit and retain employees.Many multinational employers are seeking more control over their global benefits, according to Aon Hewitt’s 2012 Corporate governance of employee benefits study, published in October, and 88% list employee benefits on their board ...

  • Article

    Pension regulators should work together on DC plans

    2013-01-28T00:00:00Z

    The Pensions Regulator (TPR) published a consultation on trust-based DC schemes, as well as an analysis of the work it will carry out with the Financial Services Authority (FSA) on work-based personal pension rules and guidance. Meanwhile, the Office of Fair Trading published a DC market study.TPR’s consultation is on ...

  • Article

    Working parents turn to employers for childcare help

    2013-01-28T00:00:00Z

    The Childcare affordability report, published by Family Investments in December 2012, found UK mothers were working up to four months of the year just to pay for care for their children.Under changes implemented by the government last month, households where one parent earns £60,000 or more are no longer entitled ...

  • Child cover
    Analysis

    Check health cash plans' small print

    2013-01-28T00:00:00Z

    IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE, READ THIS…Small print may restrict cash plan claims.Employers should read cash plan terms and conditions carefully before implementing a scheme.Employees need educating about the terms and conditions of their plan.Employers’ need for valuable employee benefits has never been greater, so it is important to ensure ...

  • Histroy-fact-file
    Analysis

    What's on offer in the health cash plan market?

    2013-01-28T00:00:00Z

    IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE, READ THIS…Cash plan providers cover myriad benefits.Costs start from £1 per employee per week.Not-for-profit health cash plan providers dominate the market.Dental and optical are the most common benefits on which providers pay out.There has been an increase in corporate health cash plan subscribers.Health cash plans ...

  • Article

    Call for DB pensions evidence

    2013-01-25T12:09:00Z

    The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has called for evidence on the impact of funding defined benefit (DB) pension schemes on investment and growth.The DWP has asked two questions:Should employers undergoing valuations of DB pension deficits be allowed to smooth the calculations of their asset and liabilities?Should The Pensions ...

  • Article

    Gender pay gap persists in Europe

    2013-01-25T11:51:00Z

    Female board members in Europe are paid 9% less than male counterparts, a rise of two percentage points from 2011, according to research by Hay Group.Its Non-executive directors in Europe report found that more women are being appointed as directors in Europe, with only one (Italy) of the 12 European ...

  • Article

    Zenith boosts CSR strategy

    2013-01-25T10:30:00Z

    Zenith is boosting its corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy by helping its employees to volunteer in the local community.This includes working with Leeds Ahead, an employee volunteering organisation, to allow staff from the leasing and fleet management firm to attend the Make the Grade event at Cranshaw School in Leeds. ...

  • Article

    Slippery slope to success

    2013-01-25T06:00:00Z

    Staff motivation is an important issue for employers that want to get the best out of their employees, but all-inclusive holiday firm First Choice should have no trouble finding a successful candidate for its slide-tester role.The six-month summer position calls for the tester to travel to the organisation’s SplashWorld resorts ...

  • Article

    JLT appoints Margaret Snowdon

    2013-01-24T05:57:00Z

    JLT Employee Benefits has appointed Margaret Snowdon as an executive in its trustee solutions business.Snowdon will join the organisation at the end of January with responsibility for the administration proposition, client management for larger employers, and supporting some of JLT Pensions Capital Strategies’ de-risking activities, as well as the organisation’s ...

  • Article

    L&G launches mastertrust forum

    2013-01-23T05:59:00Z

    Legal and General (L&G) Workplace Savings has launched the Mastertrust Employer Group (MEG), a forum for trust-based pension schemes that use mastertrusts.It held its inaugural meeting on 10 January, which was attended by mastertrust members, including Arcadia Group, Debenhams, Ladbrokes, Marks and Spencer, and Mothercare.The principle aims of the MEG ...

  • Article

    Vestey Group enters pension buy-in

    2013-01-22T11:21:00Z

    The Vestey Group has entered into a buy-in arrangement for its Western United Group pension scheme, the defined benefit (DB) scheme for its current and former employees.The transaction, with insurer Rothesay Life, involved a £115 million exchange of UK gilts for a bulk annuity insurance policy to secure a portion ...

  • Article

    Inquiry looks for evidence to get Britain cycling

    2013-01-22T11:02:00Z

    The All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group (APPCG) will start taking verbal evidence for the Get Britain Cycling inquiry on 23 January.The inquiry aims to look at the barriers that are preventing more people cycling in the UK, where only 2% of journeys are made up of cycling compared to 27% ...

  • Article

    Claybrook launches mobile pensions access

    2013-01-21T11:54:00Z

    Pensions software provider Claybrook has launched a service that enables employees to access their workplace pension information via a mobile phone or tablet.The service is compatible with mobile platforms including Windows Phone, Apple iOS and Google Android.Staff are able to check fund valuation, manage investments online, calculate their estimated pension ...

  • Article

    FTSE 250 pension deficits reach £9 billion

    2013-01-21T11:50:00Z

    The total deficit of FTSE 250 pension schemes as of 30 June 2012 is estimated to be £9 billion, up from £6 billion in 2011, according to research by JLT Pension Capital Strategies.The FTSE 250 and their pension disclosures: a quarterly report found that deficit funding has increased in response ...

  • Article

    Government proposes pay cap for unfair dismissal awards

    2013-01-18T12:08:00Z

    The government has published its proposals to reduce the number of workplace disputes that end up at employment tribunals.The proposals, which were announced by employment relations minister Jo Swinson, include the introduction of a 12-month pay cap on the compensatory award for unfair dismissal, as well as the establishment of ...