Welcome to Pensions in 10

Join us every week for a brief look at the big pensions news stories in under 10 minutes, hosted by David Brooks (Head of Policy) and Simon Kew (Head of Market Engagement). We will discuss the major issues of the day and their implications for pensions policy, trustees and employers.

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Episode 52 – 1st October 2024

This week David and Simon share their thoughts on the potential demise of Pot for Life, TPR’s DC Value for Member crackdown and the latest visible impact on schemes, and pension schemes investing in developing countries.

Episode 51 – 24th September 2024

This week David and Simon cover the £1bn U.K. build-to-rent partnership between Nest, L&G and PGGM, pension dashboards and ‘One Login’, the new WPSC chair, Simon’s key takeaways from the PensionsAge conference and a Swiss contribution conundrum.

Episode 50 – 17th September 2024

It’s a very special Pensions in 10 as hosts David Brooks and Simon Kew celebrate the 50th episode and 1 year anniversary of the podcast! Listen in to hear all the latest in the world of pensions, from TPR’s blog on administration and the Occasional Paper 65 to pension news south of the equator…and a surprise finale!

Episode 49 – 10 th September 2024

In this week’s Pensions in 10, David and Simon cover the new Pension Review consultation, the Pension Minister’s CMIT speech, as well as the PLSA and ABI’s ‘Pay Your Pension Some Attention’ campaign and …’The GC’.

Episode 48 – 3rd September 2024

This week, David and Simon cover off autumn budget speculation, the BBC’s potential impact on pension scheme funding and TPR’s latest blog on Value for Money and getting involved in the new consultation.

Episode 47 – 27th August 2024

This week, David Brooks and Simon Kew discuss the new terms of reference for phase 1 of the government’s pension review. They also pick overcompensation for Norton Motorcycle members and the government’s Pension Credit awareness campaign.

Episode 46 – 20th August 2024

This week, hosts Simon Kew and David Brooks discuss the latest from the world of pensions (as ever, heavy on the acronoyms) talking guidance issued by PASA on the NMPA, survey findings from TPR on ESG survey as well as both a major win and a major typo.

Episode 45 – 13th August 2024

Listen to David Brooks and Simon Kew’s thought-provoking discussions on the latest VfM framework consultation, the Chancellor’s hints at a Canadian-style pensions model for LGPS schemes and the viability of investing in UK infrastructure and the PPI shining a light on the pension gender gap.

Episode 44 – 6th August 2024

Join your favourite hosts David Brooks and Simon Kew as they bring you up to speed on the Section 37 case ruling and their advice for those schemes now ‘in limbo’, the DB Funding Code (finally!) and the key takeaways, and why productive finance has been hitting the headlines.

Episode 43 – 23rd July 2024

Listen to your hosts, David Brooks and Simon Kew as they whizz through the biggest take-aways from the King’s Speech. They cover off the very unexpected Pensions Scheme Bill, the National Wealth Fund Bill and the Cyber security bill as well as movements on small pot consolidation, Value for Money framework, trustee guidance and much, much more.

Episode 42 – 16th July 2024

Join David Brooks and Simon Kew as they dive into the hottest pension stories of the week: the announcement of the new pensions minister, state pension confusion and the urgent need for clarity, a pivotal court case in the US and the National Wealth Fund.

Episode 41 – 9th July 2024

Your favourite hosts Simon Kew and David Brooks cover off what’s next for the new Labour administration, the rumours around a new UK insurer, and the key takeaways from last week’s Pensions Management Institute (PMI) Conference.

Episode 40 – 2nd July 2024

A year on from the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech, David and Simon discuss Legal & General’s latest private equity move and where similar ‘productive finance’ initiatives leave members and trustees, the Pension Ombudsman’s procedural update and Kier Starmer’s gaffe on pensions policy.

Listen in now to find out about the latest guidance from PASA on master trusts, the updates on some long-awaited legal cases, and the winner of last week’s manifesto plural challenge….

Episode 39 – 24th June 2024

Don’t miss out on this week’s thought-provoking episode as hosts David Brooks and Simon Kew whistle through the latest sector news in the UK and across the pond!

Listen in now to find out about the latest guidance from PASA on master trusts, the updates on some long-awaited legal cases, and the winner of last week’s manifesto plural challenge….

Episode 38 – 18th June 2024

In this ‘manifestos in 10’ special, hosts David Brooks and Simon Kew delve into the similarities and differences between last week’s major manifestos – from pension fund investments to ‘pot follows member’. They also share their thoughts on the proposed Labour consultation and whether it will bring the viability of the existing state pension into question.

Episode 37 – 11th June 2024

This week, your hosts, David Brooks and Simon Kew, give their take on the hottest pensions industry stories, including the IFS’s latest thinking on pensions and some notable updates from the Pensions Ombudsmen.

Episode 36 – 4th June 2024

With the General Election dominating the airwaves, Simon Kew and David Brooks dive into the ‘Triple Lock Plus’ and the return of the Lifetime Allowance, as well as a letter from the Work & Pensions Committee about Norton Motorcycles.

Episode 35 – 28th May 2024

This week, hosts David Brooks and Simon Kew dive into what they expect from July’s general election and where it will leave the pensions industry. With areas like the funding code, dashboard and the triple lock now in a ‘grey area’, find out more on Simon and Dave’s predictions.

Episode 34 – 21st May 2024

Our hosts, David and Simon, discuss their reactions to the latest comments from the Chair of the Works and Pensions Committee – Sir Stephen Timms – on lifetime providers, a pension commission and auto-enrolment, and their take on reports of pension ‘cyber gremlins’ down under.

Episode 33 – 14th May 2024

This week, hosts David Brooks and Simon Kew discuss the National Audit Office’s review of the Pensions Dashboard programme, court cases involving Railpen and CalPERS as well as a look at the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme.

Episode 32 – 7th May 2024

This week (from the same room), hosts Simon Kew and David Brooks talk about productive finance and the views of the industry on this area of pension policy. Fresh off Broadstone’s third successive top ranking in the Professional Pensions Administration Survey, Simon and Dave also discuss the Regulator’s views on admin.

Episode 31 – 30th April 2024

This week, Broadstone’s hosts David Brooks and Simon Kew take you through the Pension Regulator’s annual funding statement as well as discussing the Triple Lock and pension scams.

Episode 30 – 23rd April 2024

This week, Broadstone’s hosts Simon Kew and David Brooks discuss the FCA’s retirement income market data and what that tells us about how people are accessing their pension pots. Meanwhile, Simon was our man on the ground at the Pensions Age Spring Conference so tells us all about what he learnt there.

Episode 29 – 16th April 2024

This week, your hosts, Simon Kew and David Brooks, discuss closing consultations from TPR’s statement of strategy to the DWP’s enquiry into surpluses and a public sector consolidator as well as a survey into climate change and net zero targets for pension schemes.

Episode 28 – 9th April 2024

Broadstone’s hosts David Brooks and Simon Kew return to discuss the State Pension triple lock, the abolition of the Lifetime Allowance and what a Pensions Commission might look like.

Episode 27 – 2nd April 2024

Hosts David Brooks and Simon Kew discuss a Work & Pensions Select Committee report, the powers of The Pensions Regulator and also guidance on dashboards.

Episode 26 – 26th March 2024

This week, Simon Kew and David Brooks tackle the front-page pensions headline that everybody has been talking about – WASPIs. They also discuss diversity on Trustee boards and scam news updates.

Episode 25 – 19th March 2024

Simon Kew and David Brooks discuss Clara Pension’s second-ever superfund transaction with the Debenhams Retirement Scheme, with a round of applause for Broadstone’s administration team for all their hard work on the deal. They also cover pension scams, TPR’s latest comments on consolidation, the 10-year anniversary of pension freedoms, and whether we have yet to see a boom in Lamborghini sales.

Episode 24 – 12th March 2024

This week, your hosts, David Brooks and Simon Kew, revisit the Spring Budget to cover potential changes to DC schemes and value for members and discuss the lifetime provider model, lifetime allowance changes and the future of the National Insurance fund.

Episode 23 – 5th March 2024

It’s Tuesday, it’s Budget Week, it’s a Pensions in 10 Policy special! With the Spring Statement coming up, your hosts David Brooks and Simon Kew chew over the latest from the rumour-mill as well as some recent policy announcements from Chancellor and Pensions Minister over the last week.

Episode 22 – 27th February 2024

This week, Simon and David talk about the options for DB schemes, the latest news from The Pensions Regulator and the Pensions credit boost which can be available to members up until the 5th of March 2024.

Episode 21 – 20th February 2024

This week in Pensions in 10 Simon Kew and David Brooks talk you through a PPI event on engagement, the latest on the lifetime allowance, discretionary increases and The Pensions Ombudsman.

Episode 20 – 13th February 2024

Join David Brooks and Simon Kew to get their reaction to The Times Plug the Pensions Gap campaign, savers’ struggles to transfer their SIPPs from Hartley after it entered administration and mixed messages around increases to steelworkers’ pensions.

Episode 19 – 6th February 2024

This week, Simon and David meet in person to discuss the DB funding code regulations, Labour’s policy document on financial services and pensions, retirement commissions and a concluding rant on the State Pension.

Episode 18 – 30th January 2024

This week, your hosts David Brooks and Simon Kew give their views on pot for life proposals, changes at The Pensions Regulator and tax being taxing.

Episode 17 – 23rd January 2024

This week, hosts Simon Kew and David Brooks look at discretionary increases, a successful campaign to show your pension some attention and a retired teacher’s troubles with the Teachers Pension Scheme.

Episode 16 – 16th January 2024

In this week’s episode, your hosts, David Brooks and Simon Kew, finally get the chance to discuss the General Code the regulator has laid in front of the House of Commons. As David says, “It’s been a long time coming“, so was it worth the wait? Simon and David also run the rule over last week’s Work & Pensions Select Committee.

Episode 15 – 9th January 2024

It’s the first episode of 2024, where your hosts, David and Simon this week discuss the stories people may have missed over the festive break, the regulator’s latest prosecution of a trustee and HMRC going after the victims of pension scams.

Episode 14 – 12th December 2023

In this week’s episode, your hosts David Brooks and Simon Kew cover the FCA’s review of advice and guidance, TPR’s thoughts on M&A and look ahead to 2024.

Episode 13 – 5th December 2023

This week, Simon and David discuss the latest review on Defined Benefit transfer advice, confirmation that the abolition of the Lifetime Allowance is going full steam ahead and the government’s response to the Work & Pensions Committee’s recommendations on LDI.

Episode 12 – 28th November 2023

It is an Autumn Statement special on this week’s Pensions in 10! Simon and David cover everything pensions related from the Chancellor’s fiscal event last week. Listen below to get your bitesize review of ‘pot for life,’ a public sector consolidator, scheme surpluses and much more.

Episode 11 – 21st November 2023

This week, David Brooks and Simon Kew talk all things politics with the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement on Wednesday and send a message to the new Pensions Minister.

Episode 10 – 14th November 2023

It’s our 10th Pensions in 10! This week, Simon and David talk about whether pensions are “off the menu” in parliament, the Pensions Ombudsman’s competency ruling and why it will make life harder for trustees, and the importance of members filling out their expression of wish and nomination forms. This week’s closing point is a cautionary tale about DB buy-out and a “tectonic typo”.

Episode 09 – 7th November 2023

This week, Simon Kew and David Brooks cover the news of Clara Pensions announcing its first superfund deal yesterday, summarise the latest updates on defined contribution savings and look at a Pensions Ombudsman case. This week’s finisher comes courtesy of a surprising parliamentary question submitted to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

Episode 08 – 31st October 2023

In this episode, David Brooks gets his teeth stuck into some intriguing pensions policy stories that have appeared in the press, and Simon Kew shares his views (and his bugbear!) on CDC. This week’s episode finishes with a look ‘Through the keyhole’ at how Peter Tomkins, a pensions actuary, went viral on TikTok.

Episode 07 – 24th October 2023

This week David and Simon discuss Autumn Statement rumours, Pensions Charter and policy, breaking news on the Wilko pension scheme and a hair-raising finisher.

Episode 06 – 17th October 2023

In this episode, Simon and David chew the fat on the abolition of the Lifetime Allowance, the appointment of an inaugural CEO at Quietroom and the rising number of complaints going into The Pensions Ombudsman. This week’s finisher takes a light-hearted look at how the pensions industry should be taking inspiration from the take-up of bicycling in Copenhagen.

Episode 05 – 10th October 2023

In this episode, David Brooks and Simon Kew talk about the General Levy and the inter-departmental review from The Pensions Regulator. This week’s pun-tastic finisher looks at the Pension Protection Fund “branching out” its investments into a Tasmanian forest management company.

Episode 04 – 3rd October 2023

In this Tuesday update, David and Simon talk about scams following some hefty fines dished out by the FCA and the Pensions Ombudsman, longevity, and the latest on Pensions Dashboards.

Episode 03 – 26th September 2023

This week Simon and David discuss the collapse of Wilko and the underfunded pension scheme, M&G’s return to the buy-out market and auto-enrolment regulations. We also take a look at the Pension Attention campaign.

Episode 02 – 19th September 2023

In this episode, our hosts David and Simon dive into the triple lock, the PPF Levy and TPR actively contacting Third Party Administrators.

Episode 01 – 12th September 2023

In the first episode, the Mansion House consultations, the State Pension triple lock and a new Shadow pensions team in Parliament are all covered in this week’s whistle-stop tour.

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