Recently I completed a research project into Pension Provision for Housing Association staff. In the project I mentioned the pros and cons on the new CDC (Collective Defined Contribution) schemes that have very recently been allowed to operate i…Read more…
How much should I put in a pension?
This morning I gave a presentation on Housing Associations Pensions provision to my TUC Employment Law Course.
One of the issues I discussed is “How much should I put in a pension”?
If you are in a “defined benefit” scheme (sadly – and wro…Read more…
TUC Pension conference 2021: Day 1 Minister Guy Opperman MP & panel discussion on Just Transition
I joined the start of the virtual conference today. It was interesting to hear pension minister, Guy Opperman MP speak positively about defined benefit pension schemes. I wanted to ask him why then does the regulator appear to want to treat…Read more…
Is it time for schemes to run to safety? Professional Pensions Opinion Piece
As concerned pension funds are flocking to ‘safe’ assets or buying equity protection, John Gray points out there is no such thing as a ‘free lunch’ in lifeThere is an ancient saying attributed to Saint Teresa of Avila that “More tears are shed over ans…Read more…
Decent pension provision is not dying out – it’s being murdered
A headline in last Friday’s “Professional Pensions” was “DB surplus hits record high of £382bn on best estimate basis, says First Actuarial”
It is becoming increasingly clear that the the huge decline in decent pension provision in the UK (employ…Read more…
“The nastiest, hardest problem in finance”
Check out top pension blogger Henry Tapper on why 85% on those able to transfer their pensions out of a DB (defined Benefit Pension scheme) would be best advised not to take it (or F…k’n bonkers to do so – in my non financial advisor l…Read more…
Should DB schemes open to new members get special treatment? (and why DC schemes are so rubbish in comparison)
I had a name check in this interesting article below. Modern defined benefit (DB) pension schemes are the only way that ordinary working people will be able to enjoy a secure retirement.
I recently pointed out to a journalist that in the DB Local Gov…Read more…
Can we have a national DB pension scheme?
My latest article for Professional Pensions. “John Gray says we need to do all we can to preserve defined benefit pension provision in the UK
Those of us who live in the real pension world know it is true but many are in denial. For entirely understand…Read more…
La La Defined Benefit Pension Deficit calculations
I have long been very sceptical about the Daily Torygraph headlines about defined benefit (DB) pension schemes being “in massive deficit”, “gold plated” and/or “unaffordable”. Check out this paper below by Dennis Leech, Emeritus Professor of …Read more…
The Emperor has no clothes. DC Pensions
From Professional Pensions “John Gray looks at whether current contribution levels across DB and DC are adequate.As well as being an employee representative on a pension board I am also a UNISON trade union branch secretary with members in more than 14…Read more…
Local Government Pension Scheme is safe and substainable
Check out this response to amongst the daftest report ever by a right wing think tank.
It is more than a shame that organisations such as the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) feel they have to temper their reasoned attacks on the financial services…Read more…