July 2025

UK. ‘More to be done’ to improve risk transfer process, SPP says

There is “more that could be done” in terms of efficiency and effectiveness in the risk transfer process, the Society of Pension Professionals (SPP) has stated, despite numerous developments in this area over recent years. The report, Less friction, better transfers: creating a more agile risk transfer process, noted that the UK bulk annuity market has continued to go from strength to strength, and targeting an insurance transaction remains an attractive option for many. Citing data from WTW, the SPP highlighted that the...

UK pension funds commit further £118m to Octopus affordable housing fund

Octopus Capital said it had raised a further £118m (€136m) for its Affordable Housing Fund from three UK local government pension schemes (LGPS), taking the fund’s total funds under management, including co-investment capital to over £360m. The new investment has come from Strathclyde Pension Fund, a Glasgow-based LGPS, with £50m, London CIV with £58m, and Avon LGPS with £10m. Strathclyde is a new investor, while the London CIV and Avon investments are building on previous contributions to a fund that has attracted...

State of the nation: DB endgames – where are we now and what’s next?

By Laura McLaren & Lauren Branney  For those managing defined benefit (DB) pension schemes, it’s a pivotal and exciting time. The pensions landscape has changed significantly in recent years, opening up new strategic possibilities. We’ve seen record-breaking activity in the bulk annuity market and growing innovation in consolidation, and alternative risk transfer, leading to new settlement options. We’ve also seen more schemes considering the potential benefits of running on. We explore how the DB pensions environment has shifted, and what this could...

UK. Over half DB schemes view regulation as biggest risk to endgame strategy

More than half (51.6 per cent) of defined benefit (DB) pension schemes view regulation as the greatest risk to their endgame strategy, according to research from Hymans Robertson. The consultancy’s State of the Nation paper, part of its Excellence in Endgames hub, showed that aside from regulation, schemes identified investment risk (25.8 per cent), longevity risk (19.4 per cent), and sponsor covenant (3.2 per cent) as other key concerns in pursuing their endgame strategies. Additionally, the report showed that among those considering running on as...

Britain is facing a ‘tsunami’ of pensioner poverty, says Kendall

Britain risks a “tsunami of pensioner poverty” over the coming decades unless the system of saving for retirement is overhauled, according to Liz Kendall. At the launch of a major independent commission on the pensions system, the work and pensions secretary said growing numbers would struggle to make ends meet in old age. “Unless we act, tomorrow’s pensioners will be poorer than today’s, because people who are saving aren’t saving enough for their retirement, and crucially, because almost half of the working age population...

UK. PensionBee Urges Action As Government Revives Pensions Commission To Tackle Looming Retirement Crisis

PensionBee, a leader in the consumer retirement market, has called on the Government to match words with action following today’s revival of the Pensions Commission. PensionBee, welcomed the move as a long-overdue wake-up call, warning that without bold reform, millions – including carers, the self-employed, women and low-paid workers – risk sleepwalking into retirement poverty. Lisa Picardo, Chief Business Officer UK at PensionBee said: “This Pensions Commission shines a welcome light on the very real risk that millions face a poorer retirement unless...

UK. Government revives landmark Pensions Commission to confront retirement crisis that risks tomorrow’s pensioners being poorer than today’s

Millions of people could benefit from a more secure retirement as the Government today [Monday 21 July 2025] revives the landmark Pensions Commission to examine why tomorrow’s pensioners are on track to be poorer than today’s and make recommendations for change. The Commission of 2006 was a huge success, building a consensus for the roll-out of Automatic Enrolment into pension saving that means 88% of eligible employees are now saving, up from 55% in 2012. However, new analysis shows that there...

UK. Webb sets out ‘three tests’ for govt pension review

Former pensions minister and LCP partner Steve Webb has set out ‘three tests’ against which the second stage of the government’s pensions review should be judged. Focusing on the adequacy of pension savings, Webb said the first test needs to be questioning whether the review is given a ‘free hand’, including recommending reforms which will cost the government money. Most changes to the system, including getting people to save more, will have a cost implication, such as through higher costs of...

UK. New idea to tax inherited pensions worth £90k-plus floated – instead of imposing inheritance tax

The Government is being urged to slap income tax on inherited pensions worth £90,000-plus instead of making them liable for inheritance tax. Another option is to impose a tax charge at death on unspent pensions worth £150,000, £200,000 or £250,000, according to a finance industry group calling for a radical rethink of inheritance tax changes due in two years' time. Just levying income tax or charges on inherited pensions direct would reduce the burden on grieving families yet still rake in...

Government and industry ‘united’ in determination to drive returns and boost UK investment

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said the government and the industry are "united" when it comes to delivering for savers and the UK economy. During her Mansion House speech yesterday (15 July), Reeves said: "Pension funds and this government are united in our determination to deliver higher returns for savers and more investment for the economy." Last year at Mansion House the government set out an overhaul of the UK pensions system which included proposals for the creation of defined contribution and Local...