Pensions Policy Institute (PPI)’s Post

It's been a week of split loyalties for me. Having spent a lot of my career in financial services, straddling the pensions and building society worlds, the 'Clash of the Awareness Weeks' has been intriguing. UK Savings Week and Pensions Awareness Week both vying for consumers attention. Personally, I think it's taken a while for these initiatives to gain traction, but this year it's been great to see them championed by so many providers. If ever there was a time for people to maximise every penny, both in the present and the future, it's now. Various activities have shone out, from encouraging people to check they're not holding money in zero-interest savings accounts (Leeds Building Society) to sharing savings experiences with colleagues over lunch (Yorkshire Building Society). Penrith Building Society's savings drop-in sessions played a vital community role too. Apologies for the slight bias towards some of the northern mutuals contingent there 😉. Other providers are available 🤣 . On the pensions front, Nest pensions' 5 great tips under #PensionAttention and Royal London's live shows as the main partner for Pensions Awareness Week are notable examples of the sector's awareness-raising efforts. Which activities have caught your attention this week? #PensionAttention #UKSavingsWeek #everypennycounts

Let's talk pensions. Actually,. let's talk about a level playing-field. I've been away from my career for nearly 17 months. 13 of those months have been spent searching for my next role, in private sectors and the Civil Service. My daily job alerts include many Civil Service roles where the employer's pension contribution is 29%. Yes, you read it right. Twenty-nine per cent. To put that into perspective: my career has been in private sector orgs, where employers' contributions varied 4% to.8%. Where private sector salaries used to outstrip their equivalent public sector roles, that gap has significantly closed. Are private sector organisations being arm-twisted to shore-up the unrealistically inflated public sector pensions? Is the public-private playing field level? Has the Budget merely highlighted the scale of the inequality? I know where my views stand.

The latest episode of HL Pensions NewsBeat is now live, with partner Claire Southern giving a recap of the last two weeks in the world of pensions, including: some good news on DB funding; tidying up on lifetime allowance abolition provisions; engagement with green pensions; the extension of CDC arrangements; and speculation on what the upcoming budget might hold. Listen to the new episode and catch up on previous episodes here: https://lnkd.in/gHrsCEC6 #HLPensions #Podcast #DBFunding #GreenPensions #CDC #Budget #LTAAbolition

I completely agree with Keir Starmer about reforming the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Jobcentre network. It’s about placing LIFE at the heart of everything, with support available for every aspect of life. At IncomeMax we’re calling for Jobcentres to become LIFE CENTRES ©️ Let’s create a kinder, more supportive society, where everyone gets the chance to thrive. #PrimeMinisterialDebate #ThriveThinking

The Pension Advisory Group and Law for Life have published an updated guide aimed at divorcing couples. It encourages people to take pensions into account when they are discussing finances on divorce with their ex. It explains the law on pensions and divorce, and the crucial steps to take to find out the value of any pensions couples have. The guide highlights the need for people to get expert advice, if at all possible. It provides guidance on how to reach an agreement and what to do if this seems impossible. It is free to read online or download as a PDF. https://lnkd.in/dWZHYbtE

Dealing with pensions on divorce is often a complex matter, and if this is true for advisers then it must be especially so for those going through it. However, there exists an excellent guide for divorcing parties, called A Survival Guide to Pensions, which is now in its 2nd edition. It's well worth a read, using friendly non-technical language, and solicitors might wish to encourage their clients to make use of this excellent resource. https://lnkd.in/eY4huN6v

Really useful guide for anyone going through a divorce where pensions are involved.

Join the first Women in Tax seminar in the financial health series to learn more about pensions on 18 April

🌟 Here’s Why Staying in UK Actuarial Pensions Is Your Best Move🌟 It’s natural to wonder if a change of scenery or even a new industry might be the right next step. But before you jump ship, take a minute to think about the amazing potential right here in UK actuarial pensions. There are some real perks to sticking with it – here’s why staying put might be your smartest move yet: 💼 Job Security You Can Count On With the UK’s ageing population and the increasing need for secure retirement solutions, pensions actuaries are needed more than ever. It’s not just a job – it’s work that’s valued and relied upon, no matter what’s happening in the economy. 💷 Salaries That Keeps Pace Actuarial pensions roles in the UK tend to be well-compensated, and they only get better as you gain experience. You don’t need to switch industries to make sure your pay stays competitive – this field rewards you for deepening your expertise. 📈 Specialised Skills That Set You Apart Each year you stay in pensions, you’re building unique knowledge that’s in high demand. This experience doesn’t just make you better at what you do – it can also open doors to more senior roles and exciting new projects, all while becoming a go-to expert in your field. 🌍 Room to Grow Without Moving Out From consulting to in-house pensions teams, UK pensions offers plenty of room to explore new paths. You can take on technical challenges, move toward management, or even help shape policy – without needing to leave the industry. 💡 Meaningful Work Helping people secure their futures isn’t just about numbers – it’s about making a real impact on lives. Especially here in the UK, with more people relying on pension security, your work truly matters. There’s a lot of pride in knowing you’re helping people plan for the future with confidence. So, before you start looking outside the industry, remember: staying in actuarial pensions has benefits that go way beyond stability. This field offers you purpose, growth, and real impact – what more could you ask for? 👉 Curious about where a career in UK pensions could take you... Let’s chat! #UKActuarialPensions #CareerGrowth #PensionsIndustry #StayAndThrive

The self-employed are left out in the cold when it comes to pensions. I do hope my heartfelt plea to improve their lot published today in Professional Pensions Pensions does not fall on deaf ears. Thank you Jonathan Stapleton for editing my piece so beautifully and to a huge number of industry experts who contributed sparkling comments and detailed research with such excellent ideas and practical recommendations for action. Their invaluable input and insight should make this a useful and enjoyable read. To read the article in full, follow the link below #pensions #law #pensionconsultants #lawreform #definedcontribution #autoenrolment #soletrader #selfemployed #autoenrolment #pensionsreforn #regulation #compliance #tax #hmrc #dwp #publicrelations #financialjournalism