April 2025
16Apr

UK. Why pension schemes should not overlook SDR

The FCA’s Sustainability Disclosure Regulations (SDR) might be voluntary for institutional investors, but the new rules have arrived at a crucial moment. Pension schemes are under increasing pressure to invest in a way that supports the transition to a more sustainable economy, while continuing to maximise members’ financial outcomes. Could understanding potential implications of the regime help them navigate the evolving sustainable investment landscape while meeting their fiduciary duties? Let’s first consider the facts. One of the key components of...

April 16, 2025
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15Apr

UK. ESG round-up: Brunel faces government pressure to merge or disband

UK sustainable investment leader Brunel Pension Partnership may be forced to merge with another pool or disband after the government rejected the pool’s plans to comply with new requirements under the aim to drive consolidation of local government pension assets. The government had asked pools to submit plans to comply with new requirements on management and structure but has rejected those submitted by Brunel and another pool, ACCESS, meaning they will be forced to explore merger options. The pair...

April 15, 2025
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14Apr

UK households warned over HMRC tax change ‘which should be grabbing headlines’

Inheritance tax changes on pensions are what should be grabbing headlines, according to a pensions expert. Former Pensions Minister Steve Webb says the Labour Party government is set for a multi-billion pound windfall. Webb is a partner at pension consultants LCP, and was UK pensions minister from 2010 to 2015. He warned: "While the inheritance tax changes for farmers have grabbed most of the media attention, it is the IHT changes relating to pensions which will affect far more people and raise...

April 14, 2025
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11Apr

UK. Understanding and Evaluating Retirement Income Solutions

With nearly 4.2 million Americans reaching age 65 this year—the most ever—retirement plan advisers and sponsors are no longer able to ignore or put off the need to provide retiree and near-retiree participants with options to begin drawing down the income they have spent decades saving. Last year, about 20% of 500 C-suite leaders surveyed by TIAA said that offering guaranteed income for life was the top way that employers could improve workers’ retirement. But plan sponsors have an additional...

April 11, 2025
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10Apr

UK government urged to amend pension rules to support sustainable growth

Lack of clarity over fiduciary duty and a heavy sustainability reporting burden are key issues for the pensions industry, says UKSIF At a glance The UK government is planning an overhaul of the investment rules regulating the pensions sector in attempt to spur growth and stimulate investment in UK assets Simplifying sustainability rules should be part of the reform agenda, with a greater focus on transition planning rather than lengthy disclosures, says UKSIF The fiduciary duty of pension trustees with regards to climate...

April 10, 2025
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09Apr

London Pensions Fund Commits £250 Million to Ambitious New Green Investment Drive

In a strategic move that underscores its accelerating push toward net zero, the London Pensions Fund Authority (LPFA) has pledged 3% of its £8 billion portfolio—approximately £250 million—toward investments in environmental solutions. This allocation will seed a newly launched private markets fund to support global decarbonisation efforts through climate-aligned assets. But this isn’t just a one-off gesture. It’s part of a much broader financial and philosophical commitment. The LPFA doesn't manage its assets in isolation. Its investments are pooled with those...

April 9, 2025
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08Apr

UK. DWP secretary Liz Kendall makes Triple Lock state pension announcement

Department of Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has made an announcement on the future of the state pension Triple Lock as pensioners get a 'pay rise' today. Millions of pensioners will receive as much as £470 more a year added to their State Pension from today because of the pensions Triple Lock. The Triple Lock – which guarantees that the State Pension increases annually by the highest of inflation, average earnings growth or 2.5% – means the basic and...

April 8, 2025
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07Apr

State Pension Rates to Rise for Over 12 Million UK Pensioners Starting April 2025

From Sunday, April 6, 2025, over 12 million UK pensioners will see their weekly State Pension payments increase, as new rates are introduced. The full new State Pension will rise from £221.20 to £230.25 per week, offering an annual boost of £470 for those receiving the full payment. This increase is part of the government’s annual review, which adjusts pension rates each year on the start of the new tax year. The decision to raise these payments comes after careful consideration of inflation,...

April 7, 2025
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04Apr

UK. Taxpayers have until 5th April to top up their state pension by making NICs

Taxpayers with missing National Insurance Contributions (NICs) have until 5th April to make backdated payments to accrue more state pension, say leading audit, tax and business advisory firm, Blick Rothenberg. Robert Salter, a Director at the firm, said: “As part of the changes to state pensions, the Government temporarily extended the time limit to make backdated NIC payments, so that people with missing contribution history can make voluntary NICs for all tax years from 6th April 2006 onwards.” He added: “Before this, UK...

April 4, 2025
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03Apr

UK. AI ‘transforming’ pensions admin; use by members remains limited

Whilst artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to play an important role in pensions administration, its adoption by individual pension scheme members remains limited, according to the Trafalgar House Trust & Confidence Index. It found that despite a growing awareness of AI-driven tools, most people were not yet using AI to support their retirement decisions. When surveyed, only 8 per cent of the population reported using AI tools for pension planning. Indeed, the "overwhelming" majority (82 per cent) indicated that they had never...

April 3, 2025
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