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Pension Funds Insider brings the latest pensions news and industry insights; from investment and governance updates to new mandate appointments and pensions regulatory information.

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Dc And Auto Enrolment

From Policy to Delivery: Readying for CDC

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

The UK pensions industry stands at a pivotal moment. With multi-employer Collective Defined Contribution (CDC) schemes expected to gain regulatory approval in 2026 and begin accepting contributions by mid-2027, providers who want to offer CDC must act now to prepare their technology and operations, or risk being left behind.

Rethinking Pension Adequacy: Opportunities from Denmark and the Netherlands

Thursday, July 17, 2025

The Danish and Dutch pension systems are frequently ranked among the top three in the Mercer Global Pension Index, reflecting their effectiveness in delivering strong retirement outcomes.

“Mandation” in the Pension Schemes Bill: what do we know so far?

Monday, June 30, 2025

As promised, the government has included a reserve power in the Pension Schemes Bill that would allow it, in future, to set quantitative baseline asset allocation targets for some pension scheme investments: so-called “mandation”.

The Tech Revolution is coming for pensions admin (and it’s not wearing a suit)

Friday, June 20, 2025

Let’s be honest—pensions technology has always been a bit... beige. Bloated legacy platforms, endless upgrade cycles, and a tendency to stick with what (sort of) works.

The Mansion House Accord - is it really such a good deal for DC pension savers?

Thursday, May 29, 2025

As any other economy, the UK would benefit from more investment in its key infrastructure. The hurdle to making this a reality is a heavily indebted UK government that can't afford to allocate the capital required to support such ventures.

From simplicity to complexity, from friction to freedom

Thursday, May 22, 2025

In the evolving world of pension administration, ironing out friction in member journeys has never been more important.

Beating the National Insurance Hike – why more employers are turning to salary sacrifice

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

With recent changes pushing the employer NI rate from 13.8% to 15% and the threshold for payments dropping from £9,100 to £5,000, costs are stacking up fast.

Big isn’t always better: why consolidation isn’t the cure-all for pensions administration

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

If there was a phrase to sum up a key undercurrent at this year’s PASA conference, it was this: big is best.

Dawn of the Dashboard

Thursday, March 6, 2025

After many years of discussions, delays and disappointments, individuals who are not currently in receipt of their pension benefits will be able to connect to a Pension Dashboards over the next 18 months (depending on the size of their Scheme).

The DC decumulation conundrum

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

The King’s Speech on 17 July 2024 set out the Government’s legislative agenda including a new Pension Schemes Bill (“the Bill”).

Dead money? Dashboard costs – is there an alternative?

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

We are already well into October and Christmas is around the corner…. are your fingers in your ears yet?!

Exploring the Potential of Long-Term Asset Funds (LTAFs)

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

For many of us, our Defined Contribution (DC) pots will be the main source of income when we retire. The amount of income that we receive in retirement depends heavily on the investment returns achieved throughout our lifetime.

Understanding and meeting modern saver expectations

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Last week, I had the privilege of chairing a panel at the annual Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) conference, focusing on a critical question for our industry: "How well do we understand the needs and expectations savers have of their pensions administration provider?" This discussion is crucial as it explores how we can better align our services with the expectations of members.

Target Date Funds – a DC default solution?

Thursday, April 11, 2024

Target Date Funds, or TDFs, are a ‘one size fits all’ approach to defined contribution (DC) investing. They allow investors to select a fund closest to their expected retirement date, comfortable in the idea that the composition of the fund is managed over its lifecycle by a professional team and tailored to the investors’ time horizon and risk/return requirements.

How can trustees of DC pension schemes increase member engagement?

Thursday, January 18, 2024

We get it. On the surface, pensions can seem confusing and easier to think about at some other time instead. This often ends up being when it’s almost time to retire!

Five takeaways from the DWP’s review of TPR

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Nigel Cayless of Sackers provides an overview of the key points from the Department for Work and Pensions review of the The Pensions Regulator.

Can technology and people combine for superior pension fund outcomes?

Thursday, November 9, 2023

Jaco Wasserfall of PensionSmith discusses the notion that both a blend of the human-touch and technology, can only be beneficial for pension savers.

Has Automatic Enrolment Succeeded?

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

This month marks the 11^th anniversary of Automatic Enrolment (AE), first introduced in the UK in October 2012, following the Pensions Act of 2008.

But has it worked?

Master Trusts - how to turn dashboard delay to huge opportunity for member engagement

Thursday, July 20, 2023

The postponement of the Pensions Dashboard Program until October 2026 has put master trusts, that were hoping to utilise this tool as a way of positioning themselves as consolidators in the pensions industry, into a state of strategic re-evaluation.

Dashboards: Technology is great but don’t forget the member!

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

The UK pension dashboard scene has witnessed significant developments, albeit facing its fair share of challenges and delays.

The Impact of Employment Trends on UK Pension Pots

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Pension providers, trustees of defined contribution schemes, and employers should consider the impact of employment trends on pension pots, and reflect on what they can do to protect members.

The bumpy road to Disneyland

Friday, January 13, 2023

Mohamed El-Erian, Chairman of Gramercy and previously CEO of PIMCO, recently described the future for investors globally as the “bumpy road to Disneyland”. He described a picture of an excited father and son leaving for Disneyland but arriving all tired and exhausted after going through traffic, detours, and travel sickness. (...)There have been many bumps on the road, whether it is regulation, geopolitics or COVID lockdowns. It’s worth revisiting why one should travel to Disneyland

How to create a more diverse, inclusive trustee board

Friday, May 20, 2022

Auto-enrolment has permanently changed the demographics of pension saving. While there is still more to be done to make sure everyone can save comfortably for retirement, more women now save into a defined contribution (DC) pension than ever before, and saving among young employees has skyrocketed from around 25% in 2009 to 85% in 2020[1].

And you thought equal pay was the issue?

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Karen Partridge discusses how important it is to change how and when the pensions industry engages with women

‘Parents, schools, government; where does the responsibility lie when it comes to educating children about pensions?’

Monday, November 1, 2021

With the State Pension Age (SPA) and Minimum Pension Age (MPA) both set to rise respectively, and according to the Actuarial Post, two thirds of adults are unsure whether they will have enough money to retire, there has never been a greater emphasis on the need to begin to save from a young age.

The case for DC Consolidation?

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Earlier this summer DWP published its consultation: ‘Future of the defined contribution pension market: the case for greater consolidation’.

How do you solve a problem like…pensions?

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

How do you catch a cloud and pin it down? If the 1950s gave us The Sound of Music, it seems we all now need to start to face the music when it comes to pensions savings.

Shifting the Balance

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

As we navigate our way out of the Covid-19 restrictions July 19 was hailed as Freedom Day. But, how free are we? We are surrounded by ‘freedoms’, but when is freedom really freedom?

Are DC contribution levels enough in the current low economic growth world?

Friday, June 18, 2021

Understandably a lot of the focus in the last 15 months has been placed on the short-term impacts on the financial wellbeing of individuals and businesses alike from the Covid-19 global pandemic. Whilst engagement by Trustees and members in Defined Contribution (“DC”) pension arrangements have seen a boost over the period, our experience is still that DC arrangements are often forgotten by sponsoring employers when compared with their Defined Benefit (“DB”) counterparts.

Coronavirus: testing times for pension scheme trustees

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Communication and prioritisation are vital argues Emily Whitelock

Panic buying pensions

Monday, March 16, 2020

What on earth can an empty supermarket shelf have to do with pensions?

Looking forward to 2020

Monday, December 16, 2019

Three key themes can be identified that trustees of Defined Contribution (DC) schemes might consider as part of their investment strategy.

2020 pathways – Drawdown moves to 3G

Thursday, May 2, 2019

We look at the emergence of new drawdown pathways since the introduction of pension freedoms and the next steps for trustees and schemes.

If the cap fits

Thursday, April 11, 2019

Ian Neale tackles the complexities of the charge cap.

Getting ready for GMP equalisation

Friday, April 5, 2019

As schemes head towards completion of their GMP reconciliation, thoughts turn to the rectification process.

Master trusts – let’s talk transitions

Friday, January 4, 2019

With Master Trust Authorisation in full swing and talk of as little as 20 or even 12 master trusts remaining when final Authorisations are in, it may seem odd to be thinking of transitions. Is it too late to be talking about it? Haven’t all the decisions been made?

Creating a savings habit

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Francis Goss looks at how we develop habitual behaviours and discusses how the industry can learn from this and help create a savings culture.

Hidden talents. Hidden value.

Monday, November 5, 2018

Richard Butcher shares his opinions on what the real value of transparent transaction cost data is.

Retirement choices: a DC trustee responsibility?

Monday, October 29, 2018

Pensions freedoms have created a world of retirement choices for members since they were introduced in 2015. But where does this leave trustees of occupational DC schemes – Sackers ask, is it a DC trustee responsibility?

Building trust in the pensions system

Monday, October 1, 2018

Many pension scheme members don’t trust the system and, argues Simon Hubbard, this might only get worse for future retirees. We need to give savers a clear idea of what to expect when they retire.

The deadline has passed

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Are trustees compliant?

Clearer, quicker, tougher

Monday, May 21, 2018

Clearer, quicker, tougher - why TPR's new mantra matters to you

Admin value for money – how do you judge?

Friday, May 11, 2018

Kim Gubler discusses the term 'value for money' and suggests guidance for Trustees to make sure they are getting it.

Pension freedoms: sounds great, but is it working?

Friday, May 4, 2018

Ian Neale debates the ideas proposed by the WPC when it comes to deciding what to do with your pension pot.

PPF Levy – Do you know the score?

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Ahead of the PPF levy deadline Robert Palmer explains how checking your data is correct could save more than just money.

Your choice: over and out

Friday, March 16, 2018

Minimum employer pension contributions to double and employee contributions treble but it still isn't enough. Ian Neale looks at the tough decisions members are facing in the coming months.

DC Governance Evolves

Friday, March 9, 2018

PASA established its DC Governance Working Group that is to be educational, inspirational and fit for all.

How to get ready for the annual Pension Benefit Statement (IORP II)

Friday, March 2, 2018

Jenny Monger highlights the key points from January's legislation and comments on 3 significant challenges administrators and trustees will face.

The importance of planning your DC risks

Friday, December 15, 2017

Sacha van Hoogdalem discusses the complexities associated with considering DC offerings as an alternative

Changes are coming

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Changes to auto-enrolment are coming, how can trustees ensure their members are prepared?

The importance of engagement

Friday, October 20, 2017

How do you make long term savings relevant and what is to be done to encourage people to save more?

The Troubles with DB Transfers

Friday, October 6, 2017

The increasing trend of DB-DC transfers is having an impact on administration costs, systems and more importantly member outcomes due to consequential delays.With the causes for such increasing DB-DC transfers already well documented, we at Origo commissioned research to better understand the complex administration process and where the points of friction lie in order to help solve the Troubles with DB Transfers.

Annual ONS Pension Schemes Survey records highest ever membership levels

Thursday, October 5, 2017

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) 2016 Occupational Pension Schemes Survey (OPSS) recorded total membership of UK schemes as 32.9million, the highest ever number.

CPS report on auto-enrolment recommends reforms

Friday, July 21, 2017

Ahead of the Department of Work and Pensions review of automatic enrolment, a new report by the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) has outlined 12 specific pension reforms.

ONS says 20 million 'sleep-walking' towards a disappointing retirement

Friday, June 30, 2017

Figures released by the Office of National Statistics suggest that 20 million working-age adults (16-24) are sleep-walking towards a retirement they are not prepared for.

Young women financially anxious despite smaller gender pay gap

Friday, May 5, 2017

Millennial women are more financially anxious than their male peers, despite having the smallest pay gap of any age group, according to new research from the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association.

Allowance cap hits pensions savings for high earners

Friday, May 5, 2017

The annual pensions allowance could limit high earners from making significant contributions to their pension pots.

Retirees risk tax bills, says Prudential

Thursday, April 13, 2017

People planning to retire in 2017 could be risking unexpected tax bills by withdrawing more than the tax-free lump sum.

Auto-enrolment tops half million mark

Thursday, April 13, 2017

The 500,000th UK employer has completed their workplace pension duties, according to new figures released by The Pensions Regulator (TPR).

LISA awareness low at launch

Friday, April 7, 2017

The new Lifetime ISA (LISA) launched yesterday (Thursday 6 April), to a mixed reception.

Young savers 'oblivious' to pension changes

Friday, April 7, 2017

Young people are unaware of the significant changes to the pensions landscape, according to new research from Aviva.

Auto-enrolment contributions should rise

Friday, March 31, 2017

The amount people contribute to workplace pensions through automatic enrolment should increase in line with the increase in state pension age, according to the director of policy at Now Pensions.

Savers let down by auto-enrolment

Friday, March 10, 2017

Millions of workers who are contributing to a workplace pension are being let down by the system, according to Aviva.

DWP announces auto-enrolment review panel

Thursday, February 9, 2017

The Department of Work and Pensions has announced an external advisory group that will support the 2017 review into automatic enrolment.

Pure DC ends up with too much risk being borne by the individual

Monday, April 20, 2015

On the eve of his retirement from Westminster politics, veteran backbench MP David Willetts tells Louise Farrand how he considers the world of pensions to have changed during his 20 years in office

Contribution increase for occupational pension schemes shown by ONS survey

Monday, October 3, 2011

Overall contributions to private pension saving in the UK increased by £2.4 billion to £85.6 billion in the year from 2008 to 2009, according to the country's Office for National Statistics' latest pension survey

Tumbling DC pots mean higher bills for companies

Wednesday, September 28, 2011