The industry voices its concerns that the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority will struggle to ensure companies comply with the new rules

With less than two months to go until Alistair Darling’s first Budget, there is still no announcement of the promised decision on capital gains tax (CGT) taper relief, to the chagrin of tax experts.

Andrew Young, deputy government actuary and author of the review into the funding of the Financial Assistance Scheme, has been seconded to the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority (PADA).

The government is seeking advice from large pension providers on how to design and implement computer systems for personal accounts.

Ministers seem convinced that providing generic advice to potential savers will do the job. But how much real advice do they think they can provide to people from a low cost product that will be at the lowest possible end of affordability within the pensions market?”

Trustee interest in indemnity insurance has soared since simplification increased their burden of responsibility, according to new research.

Liberal Democrat shadow chancellor Vince Cable has hit out at the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and its role in bankrolling Northern Rock.

The knock-on effects of volatile markets on pension funding positions is proving a headache for pension fund managers.

A plan by the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) to charge better funded pension schemes more, risks alienating funds that have supported the levy so far.

Expectations for investment returns for institutional investors in 2008 are sharply divided as to whether the US economy will slip into recession or continue to expand, if with a lower growth trajectory. Under recessionary conditions, the subprime related liquidity squeeze of 2007 might create serious solvency problems for banks, as other parts of the credit market (such as credit card receivables, car loans and corporates) deteriorate.

The continuing move away from equities and into bonds among UK pension funds is evident from the National Association of Pension Funds’ (NAPF) latest annual survey of UK pension schemes.

Staff turnover among asset managers in the UK surged by over a third in 2007, according to new figures from Investment Solutions.

As predictions are made of average institutional investment in alternatives rising to 20%, an industry player has warned trustees alternatives are not always what they appear.

Looking back at 2007, the world index rose 7.2% (MSCI World) while emerging markets rose an extraordinary 35%. This is not a pattern we expect to be repeated in 2008. Rather, we expect west to outperform east as the Indian and Chinese stock markets in particular face up to rising local currency rates, soaring employment costs, high energy intensity and excessive stock market valuations. In western markets by contrast, valuations versus bonds are near 40-year lows (bond yield minus equity earnings yield) while earnings ex-financials are surprisingly robust. For ‘super caps’ this comes at bargain prices: Europe’s largest 50 companies trade on just

The news that BP’s pension scheme was so well funded it would take a year’s contribution holiday fell on the same day UK pension deficits rose by £15bn, the highest single-day rise since FRS 17 was introduced.

A legal precedent that states trustees should ignore political or social motives when investing scheme funds could be subjected to an historic challenge.

Elevate, Axa’s product entry into the wrap marketplace, has gone live after launching ahead of schedule.

Those who have been unable to break their nicotine addition can take heart with the launch of a new annuity from specialist provider, Partnership.

Now for a financial services expert, Jim Rogers is an unlikely looking character. A baby boomer whose early career was so successful he retired at 37 – an age I am fast approaching with little sign of such good fortune – his picture on the cover makes him look more like a presidential candidate servicing the primaries on a Saturday afternoon than an investment guru.

The recent pensions bill (published on December 5, 2007) will require employers to auto-enrol all employees between the ages of 22 and state pension age into an occupational pension scheme. This can be either their own scheme or the new personal accounts scheme.

As the reputation of Sipps continues to strengthen, insurance companies are desperate to maintain their share of the market. But is their version of the Sipp threatening the product’s future altogether?

So here we are in 2008 already. We’ve made it through Christmas and New Year, probably already broken all our resolutions and blamed it all on the credit crunch, or at least our own personal bit of it; and we’re all sitting here and thinking “So what now?” or something like that. Happens every year doesn’t it?

So here we are in 2008 already. We’ve made it through Christmas and New Year, probably already broken all our resolutions and blamed it all on the credit crunch, or at least our own personal bit of it; and we’re all sitting here and thinking “So what now?” or something like that. Happens every year doesn’t it?

In times of market instability, picking companies that guarantee high returns is a challenge, but with client satisfaction as his goal, Phil True tells Pensions Management he is aiming high

As pension reforms roll on in the run-up to the launch of personal accounts, many are asking how means-testing will help those on low incomes who may be no better off for saving

Owen Walker talks to Penny Green, chief executive of SAUL, about the impetus she provided to the PMI to revitalise its stagnant structure and why her current position is her best ever

New simplification changes mean pensioners’ dependants are losing out if their relative dies

With the world’s economic stability linked directly to socio-political events, the inevitability of the success that prediction markets are now seeing was clearly well worth a punt

Ruth Emery speaks to Fidelity’s managing director of defined benefit business, Martin Harris, about his concept for a compromise between DB and defined contribution – DB Lite

Owen Walker speaks to Alan Smith about his highs and lows during his time in the pensions industry, the birth and growth of First Actuarial, and getting his teeth into government issues

The growing raft of responsibilities assigned to trustees has led many to purchase indemnity cover, and left providers racing to catch up

With the trustees’ role harbouring more risk and responsibility than ever before, the need to cover those liabilities through insurance is paramount

Pádraig Floyd - editor, Pensions Management & High Net Worth: If we look back over the last 10 years, what single piece of regulation do you think has had the most influence?

As the world gazes east with the approaching Beijing Olympics, investors may find the Chinese economy keeping a level head. But will this translate into long-term investment?

Governance issues are fast climbing the agenda of local authority schemes, but a 1984 ruling could curb the shareholder move from engagement to activism

As local authority schemes prepare for a regulatory revamp, Owen Walker looks at its main objectives

Absolute or total return strategies can be used to participate in long-term growth phases and control the risk of possible capital losses in the current market environment

While the role of the individual trustee becomes ever more laden with responsibility and liability, the appointment of a corporate trustee is an increasingly attractive option

If implemented correctly, will using Sipps along with GPPs offer more choice or more problems?

As the financial situation for so many over-50s in the UK is changing, so must the products and services offered by the financial services industry. For, if they are taking care of their children and parents, who is taking care of them?

Pan Trustees is expanding its governance capabilities with the appointment of Steve Delo as chief executive of its new governance partnership, Pan Governance LLP.

HSBC Investments has made three key appointments as part of the expansion of its institutional team.

The increasing interest in socially responsible investment (SRI) issues among pension funds is reflected in a raft of new appointments by Mercer to its responsible investment team.