Comment & Insight

Walker vs Innospec – Equality wins, but will it cost?

On 12 July 2017, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that civil partners and spouses in same-sex marriages should have the same pension rights and entitlements as people in heterosexual marriages. We discuss this in further detail.

Oh fantastic, KIDs have to be stochastic!

Scott Eason explores the most challenging aspect of the KIDs for PRIIPS document for smaller insurers with with-profits funds.

Interesting times: How to adapt to survive a turbulent pensions world

As the UK enters a period of significant change, Finance Directors and Pension Managers need a dynamic DB pension strategy that will be resilient in the face of changes in markets, whilst remaining cost effective over the longer term.

PerioDiC - the elements you need to know

Stop Press! Chancellor Phillip Hammond announced that the MPAA would be reduced from £10,000 to £4,000. The Government has confirmed that it will push forward with the legislation.

Current tax position of FURBS

As a result of tax advantage erosion, funds held within these types of trusts are now taxed in line with general trust rates.

Current Issues in Pensions Financial Reporting - 30 June 2017

Our latest Current Issues in Pensions Financial Reporting newsletter details the key financial assumptions required for determining pension liabilities under the FRS102 (UK non-listed), IAS19 (EU listed) and ASC715 (US listed).

DrumRoll - refreshingly straightforward employee engagement

Today, Barnett Waddingham launches a creative agency, DrumRoll, to change the way employers communicate and engage with their workforce.

Barnett Waddingham appoints six new partners

To support continued business growth, we are proud to announce the promotion of six of our associates to partners and 12 of our staff to associates.

Barnett Waddingham Win Third-party Administrator at the Pension and Investment Provider Awards

Barnett Waddingham is delighted to have been named Third-party Administrator of the year at the 2017 Pension and Investment Provider Awards (PIPA).

Big Schemes Survey 2017

The largest occupational pension schemes are an integral part of the UK economy. These schemes invest substantial amounts of capital in the wider economy and are responsible for the retirement wellbeing of a large proportion of the population.

Accounting for pension costs by FTSE100 companies

Our annual survey of FTSE100 pension disclosures shows deficit levels have not improved as anticipated. Despite significant contributions made by scheme sponsors and a decrease of £15bn in the deficit last year, the overall remained at around £20bn.

Scandinavian companies with UK DB schemes

This survey looks at constituent companies of the Scandinavian OMX Share Index that have UK subsidiary companies that participate in DB pension schemes and covers 18 companies with an aggregate of around £5.9bn of UK pension liabilities between them.

Gold bullion: the only physical commodity allowed in a SIPP or SSAS

The FCA has added physical gold Bullion to its list of ‘standard assets', and is the only physical commodity allowed in a SIPP or SSAS. This case study shows how an investor can end up with commodities other than gold Bullion in a self-invested pension.

By GAD! Drawdown yields to lower levels

Without warning, new Government Actuary’s Department tables for capped drawdown suddenly appeared from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) on 18 January 2017. This case study reviews what impact changes to the GAD tables might have on 65 year old Donald.

Using a SSAS loan-back to assist a company’s expansion plans

Employer loan-backs are the unique feature of a SSAS. As the following case study serves to illustrate, SSAS loan-backs continue to offer an alternative source of finance for businesses, and an attractive investment for the SSAS member trustees.

Rob Thomas, Associate at Barnett Waddingham, comments on the Pensions Regulator’s auto enrolment research and what the statistics might mean

Following the publication of the Pensions Regulator research into “how UK employers are meeting their auto enrolment duties following the completion of their declaration of compliance”, Rob Thomas, Associate at Barnett Waddingham, shares his thoughts.

Bharghaw Buddhdev, Partner at Barnett Waddingham comments on David Gauke’s view on pension tax relief

The Financial Times have reported the new pensions Minister, David Gauke, has conceded that without a clear Commons majority he did not see “a particular consensus emerging” for an overhaul of retirement savings incentives.

Trustees should have plans in place for their basic duties

The Pensions Regulator (TPR), has today published new data which shows that trustees of pension schemes who fail in their basic duties can expect to receive a penalty from TPR. Sara Cook, Associate at Barnett Waddingham, shares her opinion on the warning.