April 2025
02Apr

UK. Research reveals lack of retirement preparedness as life expectancy increases

Less than two thirds (60 per cent) of professional investors feel they are either fully or almost fully financially prepared to help their clients in living for longer in retirement, research by Fidelity International has revealed. However, the research, which included responses from institutional investors and intermediary distributors across Europe and Asia, found that 40 per cent of respondents felt there was a lack of readiness to support clients in this area. Fidelity International global head of client solutions, Katie Roberts...

April 2, 2025
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01Apr

Seven trends shaping UK employment, incentives and pensions in 2025

As these plans evolve, their ripple effects will be felt into 2025 and beyond. Global forces add further pressure. Regulatory developments in the EU, US and beyond will demand UK employers’ attention as they adapt to the shifting landscape. We’ve identified seven key trends that will define 2025. Employers can use these insights to prioritise their strategies and stay ahead. 1. Employee litigation on the rise—new rights, new risks: The Employment Rights Bill’s sweeping reforms could trigger a surge in claims,...

April 1, 2025
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March 2025
31Mar

UK. FCA to consult on using pension savings to buy first home

The Financial Conduct Authority will consult on whether pension savings should be used to buy a first home in the summer, as part of its bid to widen homeownership.  “One of the biggest challenges prospective homeowners face is raising a deposit,” Financial Conduct Authority chief executive Nikhil Rathi said in a speech on Friday at the JP Morgan Pensions and Savings Symposium in London.  He added: “Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Singapore and South Africa all permit citizens to leverage...

March 31, 2025
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28Mar

UK. Reeves could tax pensions and wealth if economy worsens, says IFS

Pensioners and wealthy people could be the target of tax increases at Rachel Reeves’s autumn budget if the drastically worsening economic backdrop fails to improve, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has said. After the chancellor’s spring statement featured deep cuts to welfare to meet her fiscal targets, the UK’s leading experts on the public finances said Reeves could be forced to come back later this year with tax rises. Paul Johnson, the IFS director, said a “risky and changing world – as...

March 28, 2025
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27Mar

UK. Three quarters of pension schemes have now adopted net-zero targets

Three quarters (75 per cent) of schemes have adopted net-zero targets, with more schemes than ever taking action to address climate risks, XPS analysis has revealed. The firm published a new analysis of 48 pension schemes' task force on climate-related financial disclosure (TCFD) reports to review climate change risk management and reporting approaches. This showed that three-quarters of schemes have adopted net zero targets, up from 60 per cent last year. Of these, 75 per cent have indicated clear plans aligned to...

March 27, 2025
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25Mar

UK. Industry reliance on outdated technology could risk ‘stifling’ engagement

Many pension providers are still relying on outdated technology, with nearly half (41 per cent) still posting out letters, despite UK workplace pension savers wanting better digital tools to connect with their pensions, research from Bravura has revealed. The survey also found that 75 per cent of members don't have access to retirement income estimators, savings calculators or retirement goal trackers, despite savers naming all three of these technologies as their preferred tools for retirement planning. In addition to this, just...

March 25, 2025
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25Mar

UK. DB transfer activity falls to record low

Defined benefit transfer activity fell to a record low in February, data from XPS has found. XPS Group’s Transfer Activity Index fell to the lowest observed rate since the Index was established in 2018. In February 2025, there was an annualised rate of 13 members in every 1,000 transferring their benefits to alternative arrangements. This was the third consecutive month the index had fallen, suggesting that members are becoming increasingly cautious when making decisions about their retirement arrangements. Helen Cavanagh, senior consultant at...

March 25, 2025
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21Mar

UK. Two-thirds of employers embrace responsible pensions; less than half have it as their default

More than two-thirds (69 per cent) of employers in the UK now offer a responsibly invested company pension, but less than half (44 per cent) have it as their default option, research from Scottish Widows has revealed. The firm said this put the onus on employees to take action if they want to switch. However, its Responsibly Invested Pensions report showed that nearly two-thirds (61 per cent) of employees had “no idea” how to change their default, highlighting a growing need for employers...

March 21, 2025
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20Mar

UK. DWP State Pension age to rise next year for thousands

The State Pension age will be rising from next year, the age is currently 66 for both men and women. It will gradually increase to 67 between 2026 and 2028 for those born after April 1960. The transition process is then expected to be completed for everyone by March 2028. The planned change to the official age of retirement has been in legislation since 2014, with a further rise from 67 to 68, which is set to be implemented between...

March 20, 2025
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18Mar

PLSA IC 25: UK pension funds urged to take more risk

UK pension funds are not taking "anywhere near enough risk", particularly given efforts to reach net zero, National Wealth Fund head of banking and investment, Ian Brown, has said, emphasising the need for more investment in key UK assets. Speaking at the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) Investment Conference 2025, Brown urged pension scheme trustees to "please take some more risk". "Please take some more risk - do it in a considered way by all means," he stated. "Do it...

March 18, 2025
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