All Employee Benefits articles in Web Issue – Page 350
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Article
Changes to annual allowance will result in lack of faith in pensions
The majority of employers, trustees and high earners prefer the government's plans to changing the annual allowance instead of reducing pensions tax relief for higher rate taxpayers but many fear the move will lead to a lack of faith in pensions.Of the 100 respondents to research conducted by Punter Southall, ...
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Metropolitan Police renews pay and pensions outsourcing contract
The Metropolitan Police Authority and Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) have extended their pay and pensions outsourcing contract with Logica for a further three years.Following the contract extension, MPS has the opportunity to introduce organisation-wide electronic payslips, overtime and expenses for the first time, as well as providing staff with greater ...
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Half of UK staff have never reviewed their pension plans
Almost half (48%) of UK employees have never reviewed their pension plans, according to annual consumer research by Baring Asset Management.One in five (21%) of respondents have reviewed their pension plans in the last year, with a further 12% unsure of the last time they underwent a review.Of those who ...
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BBC staff vote to strike over pension changes
BBC staff have voted to strike in a row over changes to their pension arrangements.In ballots calling for strike action, which closed at lunchtime on 1 September, more than 90% of the BBC's members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bectu and Unite supported calls both for strike action ...
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Virgin Atlantic crew to receive global medical assistance
Virgin Atlantic has signed a new contract to provide medical claims management to flight crew wherever they are in the world.The airline's 4,000 flight and cabin crew employees will receive with advice and care in the case of a medical emergency, provided by Healix International, while they are working away ...
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More than 100 council chief execs earned over £150,000 last year
Around 129 council chief executives in England were paid more than £150,000 per year in 2009/10, according to a study of the most recent published accounts of local councils by public sector union GMBGMB examined the most recent published accounts for 2009/10 for 151 county councils, unitary authorities, London and ...
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Article
Atkin and Co launches online pensions tool
Atkin and Co have launched a virtual pensions manager and document storage tool called SchemeHub.The web-based programme allows managers and trustees to access scheme documents immediately, review action points from meetings and monitor progress. It also provides assistance to the administration function with email reminders for tasks such as pension ...
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Article
Premier Farnell introduces attendance management tool
Premier Farnell has launched a time and attendance management tool to manage the sickness absence of the 350 employees based in its Leeds distribution centre.The implementation of the system, provided by Kronos, will allow employees to better manage their time and enable the electronic components distributor to increase payroll accuracy ...
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Article
Pension liabilities jump 20% to record high
Pension liabilities for private sector final salary pensions schemes have hit a new high of £1.2 trillion over the past year.The record liability amount is a 20% increase since the £1 trillion figure was reached in August 2009, according to Aon Consulting's Aon200 index. The index, which tracks around half ...
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Article
Sharing rooms on work trips can be beneficial
As foreign secretary William Hague runs in to difficulties after sharing hotel rooms with a young male aide, cost-conscious employers may be revaluating the pros and cons of allowing staff to ‘double-up’ on work trips.Employers who are happy to let staff share, however, should not make any rash decisions on ...
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Article
B&Q to offer environmental scheme for 30,000 staff
B&Q is to help its 30,000 employees reduce their energy bills and their carbon footprint with a programme of eco-incentives that could save up to an estimated £4.2 million and over 19 million kg of carbon dioxide.Over the next three months, all 30,000 employees will be able to take up ...
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Article
PricewaterhouseCoopers to axe two final salary schemes
The UK arm of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC)will be closing two final salary schemes in a move thought to affect 1,100 employees.The accountancy firm confirmed that the schemes, which have already been closed to new joiners, are being closed to future accrual because of the 'challenging commercial reality of funding.' PWC are ...
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Barnett Waddingham joins Aries Pensions Club
Aries Pension and Insurance Systems has announced that Barnett Waddingham has joined the Aries Pensions Club.In joining, the firm gains access to the Aries Pensions System (APS) that contains 20 years of pensions legislation research.The APS offers members with pensions technical support. Members include consultants, administrators, life offices, pensions funds ...
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Workplace Options launches cognitive behavioural therapy tool
Workplace Options has launched a computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) tool to provide a higher level of support for employees.The application is designed to integrate with the personalised support employees receive from counsellors in treating behavioural and psychological problems, such as stress and anxiety.The self-paced programme encourages participants to interact ...
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Article
Shilling Communication launches online pensions directory
Shilling Communication has launched an online pensions directory which provides the public with access to a catalogue of UK organisations’ pension websites.The website is available to current and deferred members, retirees, families and dependants to find their organisation’s pension schemes, where the organisations have put their schemes online.Kevin Shilling, CEO ...
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NAPF revamps website
The National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF) has revamped its website for those wanting to keep track of events, policy and news.The website has improved its functions which include information on NAPF training, news updates and policy responses, key facts and briefing documents, and an online bookshop.Joanne Segars, chief executive, ...
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Citrus4Benefits launches with online benefits management system
New consultancy, Citrus4Benefits, has launched with an online benefits management system to reduce the amount of time employers spend on administering benefits.The system, powered by Redbourne, also aims to enhance productivity while minimising errors and managing business risk.Citrus4Benefits aims to assist employers with all aspects of employee pension and benefit ...
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Towers Watson acquires Swedish benefits consultancy
Towers Watson has acquired HRS, a Swedish-based consultancy specialising in executive compensation and employee rewards.Primarily operating in the Nordic market, HRS’s full set of offerings includes: executive compensation, incentive design and employee pay; pension design and global coordination; and performance management and compensation benchmarking.Babloo Ramamurthy, regional manager, EMEA for Towers ...
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Marshalls increases take-up of voluntary benefits scheme
Since landscaping firm Marshalls launched a voluntary benefits scheme in April, the majority of its 2,400 employees have taken advantage of the offering.The scheme harmonised benefits such as cycle-to-work, childcare vouchers and discounts under one banner. The offerings are divided between four core areas: health, leisure, motoring and retail.Staff can ...
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Tim Banks appointed head of DC sales at AllianceBernstein
AllianceBernstein has appointed Tim Banks head of defined contribution (DC) sales to further develop the firm’s expansion efforts in the UK DC market.Banks brings more than 20 years of experience in the pensions industry to AllianceBernstein. He joins from Prudential where he was director of business development, responsible for the ...