August 2022
16Aug

UK. Govt to change civil servants’ early pensions access

The government has proposed to change the rules around early access to pensions in the civil service, tracking 10 years behind state pension age, according to a new consultation over reforms to the Civil Service Compensation Scheme. The Cabinet Office had launched a consultation to this effect in 2017, but on August 15 it published a new document with updated proposals to be discussed with trade unions as it considered that a long time has elapsed since the initial consultation,...

August 16, 2022
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12Aug

U.K. pension regulator calling on plan sponsors to support pension scam prevention strategy

The Pension Regulator, the U.K. government body that oversees defined benefit pension plans, is calling on plan sponsors to help advance a three-pronged strategy to fight pension fraud. “Over many years, we have worked to prevent savers’ losses and put fraudsters in prison: running large-scale public awareness campaigns, leading a multi-agency response to the threat through [the pension scams action group]. . . . But the truth is, we must all do more to combat pension scams,” said Nicola Parish,...

August 12, 2022
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11Aug

Jamaica. $70m in pension benefits heading to court

More than $70 million in pension benefits for 161 beneficiaries who are yet to be identified by the Financial Sector Adjustment Company Limited (FINSAC) could be handed over to the Supreme Court. In its 2021 annual report that was tabled in Parliament on Friday, the company said it placed advertisements in the press on March 14, 2021, in an attempt to locate beneficiaries of the Jamaica Mutual Life Assurance Society pension scheme. It said the March 14 advertisement was the fourth...

August 11, 2022
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11Aug

UK. TPR advises employers to shield schemes from refinancing costs

Companies and pension scheme trustees should take steps to protect their schemes and their employer covenant from the fallout of any refinancing that they have undertaken, according to David Fairs, the Pensions Regulator’s executive director of regulatory policy, analysis and advice. In a blog published on August 10, Fairs acknowledged the trend of employers seeking to boost their liquidity in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic. This, he noted, would include the agreement of new borrowing facilities, or extension of...

August 11, 2022
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09Aug

Central Bank of Ireland launches climate change risk guidance for insurance sector

The Central Bank of Ireland has commenced a public consultation on proposals to introduce guidance on climate change risks for the insurance sector. The proposed guidance aims to clarify the Central Bank’s expectations on how (re)insurers address climate change risks in their business and to assist them in developing their governance and risk management frameworks to do this. The Central Bank has said that the increased frequency and severity of weather-related events linked to climate change are already having an impact...

August 9, 2022
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08Aug

South Africa. Proposed new ‘two-pot’ will allow one withdrawal per year from savings

On 31 July, the South African government announced the proposal of a “two-pot” retirement system. The proposed system will allow people to save for non-retirement purposes (e.g. emergencies) via their retirement funds and access one third of their retirement savings when needed. You can withdraw money once a year, as long as there is money in the savings pot. "These amendments aim to encourage members to preserve their retirement savings by making it more flexible to accommodate unforeseen pressures that members face...

August 8, 2022
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05Aug

UK. TPR revamps guidance on fiduciary management tender processes

The Pensions Regulator has published updated guidance on the tender process for fiduciary management services and trustees, setting objectives for investment consultants as it prepares to take over regulation of these duties this autumn. Since December 2019, trustees have been legally required to run a competitive tender process when appointing fiduciary managers for a fifth or more of scheme assets, and have had to set strategic objectives for their investment consultancy provider. From this October, TPR will take over compliance-reporting and...

August 5, 2022
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02Aug

UK. Oxford, FCA team up on sustainable finance lab

The U.K.'s Financial Conduct Authority is partnering with the Oxford Sustainable Finance Group on an innovation lab for ESG practitioners and regulators. Announced July 20, the Oxford Sustainable Finance Lab is scheduled to open in the fall at Oxford University in England. Oxford researchers will spend time with practitioners from financial institutions, regulators, central banks, government departments and professional organizations. The goal is "nurturing interactions between different parts of the financial system and (to) break down barriers between them, providing a...

August 2, 2022
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01Aug

The Fiscal Oversight Board is optimistic about the new operational budget of Puerto Rico

Although the operational budget approved by the Fiscal Oversight Board (JSF) is less than that endorsed at the last minute by the Legislature, The funds allocated for the fiscal year that is just beginning will not leave the municipalities in a precarious situation, they place emphasis on key agency projects, such as the Education deparmentand allow to resume permanent workit transpired yesterday in a brief public meeting of the organism. In the conclave, the officials of the Board, who now...

August 1, 2022
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July 2022
27Jul

UK. Thousands of gig economy workers in line for improved labor conditions

While not a change in the law, business minister Jane Hunt said the guidance was “tidying up the rules” to help workers find out if they are being treated fairly by their workplace. It follows the landmark Uber Supreme Court judgment in February last year, which held that individuals in the gig economy qualify as workers. This entitles them to core employment protections including earning at least the National Minimum Wage as well as being given paid holiday leave and a...

July 27, 2022
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