Reactions to Hutton’s review will differ depending on which sector you’re in; many say he didn’t go far enough, while public sector workers feel disenchanted with the outcome

Gender-based pricing will become illegal by the end of next year, and although it seems most parties will lose out as a result, some alternative providers could cash in.

On March 1, 2011, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) handed down its much anticipated judgment, choosing to follow the opinion of Advocate General Juliane Kokott that gender-based pricing in insurance contracts is unlawful.

New data from the Pensions Regulator has revealed the knock-on effects of the economic downturn on recovery plans, with tranche four schemes suffering more than most

On December 7, 2010, the Pensions Regulator published updated data on recovery plans submitted to it during the year to the end of August 2010. The detailed report (available to download at www.bit.ly/hpxPTQ) reflects the acute impact of the economic downturn on defined benefit (DB) schemes in the past few years and the knock-on effect on recovery plans.

The infamous run on Northern Rock in September 2007 is something many people will remember. But what some may not realise is that its impact is still being felt today. What happened in the autumn of that year marked a turning point for the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and the protection it provides to depositors in the UK.

Although the run on Northern Rock did not result in the FSCS having to pay compensation to its customers, the events raised questions about the robustness of the existing arrangements for depositor protection. Questions such as, ‘how much compensation would be payable if the bank someone holds deposits with goes bust?’ Or, ‘how quickly would someone get their money back if their bank or building society failed?’

In the March edition of Pensions Management, Hammonds commented on a government statement that indicated pension schemes should look to equalise guaranteed minimum pensions (GMPs). The pensions industry is still waiting with baited breath for legislation or guidance on how this should be done.

Changes to employer debt legislation may aim to achieve a balance between scheme protection and corporate activity, but more regulation is never welcome

The repercussions of flexible working programmes upon pension scheme members’ benefits could be immense, and must be taken into account by every employer

Recent cases of concern to trustees include a rectification issue, and another in which the ombudsman ruled in favour of the plaintiff due to maladministration by the trustee