The BT Pension Scheme (“BTPS” or “the Scheme”) one of the UK’s largest private sector pension schemes with c.260,000 members and c.£36bn of assets under management has recently completed two longevity reinsurance transactions. These transactions further protect BTPS from the cost of unexpected increases in the life expectancy of its members. Posted on Friday Mar 21
Just Group and Utmost Wealth comment on latest tax receipts update from HMRC showing that Inheritance Tax (IHT) receipts reached £7.6 billion in the first 11 months of this Tax Year (2024/25). It surpasses the full year’s total in 2023/24 (£7.5 billion) to set a new annual record tax-take with one month of IHT receipts still to come and marks an 11% increase on the comparative period last year (£6.8 billion through first 11 months of 2023/24). Posted on Friday Mar 21
The Bank of England held rates at 4.5%, as forecast. The markets are pricing in a cut in May or June, and another around September. The monetary policy committee voted 8 to 1 for no change. One member voted for a 0.25% cut. What this means for markets, savings, annuities and resilience. Posted on Thursday Mar 20
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fined the London Metal Exchange (LME) £9.2 million for failing to ensure its systems and controls were adequate to deal with severe market stress. Posted on Thursday Mar 20
Legal & General Assurance Society Limited (“L&G”) has completed buy-ins totalling £785 million with three pension schemes sponsored by Anglo American Services (UK) Ltd: The Tarmac UK Pension Scheme, the Tarmac ‘B’ Pension Scheme and the Anglo UK Pension Scheme (the “Schemes”). The buy-ins were completed as part of a combined transaction. Posted on Thursday Mar 20
In its response to the FCA’s consultation paper on a new product information framework for Consumer Composite Investments (CCI), which closes today, Aegon has called on the FCA to ‘be much bolder’ in making product summaries more engaging and ‘truly simple’. Aegon also draws attention to the ongoing major differences between CCI and pensions disclosure documents. Posted on Thursday Mar 20
Commenting ahead of tomorrow’s Bank of England base rate update, Chris Arcari, Head of Capital Markets, Hymans Robertson says: Posted on Wednesday Mar 19
Transaction covers two schemes and three sections sponsored by the Church of Scotland. Secures the benefits of approximately 1,500 pensioner and dependant members and 850 deferred members Posted on Tuesday Mar 18
Mr Odey has referred his Decision Notice to the Upper Tribunal where he and the FCA will present their cases. Any findings in the Decision Notice are therefore provisional and reflect the FCA’s belief as to what occurred and how it considers his behaviour should be characterised. Posted on Monday Mar 17
On average, in February, people thought the inflation rate was 4.9%. In January it was actually 3%. 41% of people said the interest rates on saving and borrowing had risen over the past 12 months, and only 28% said they had fallen. In reality, the average rate on easy access savings accounts is down from 3.17% to 2.9%, while the average rate on a 1-year fixed rate savings account has dropped from 4.62% to 4.19% (Moneyfacts). 34% of people expect interest rates to rise over the next 12 months, and only 29% expect a cut. Posted on Friday Mar 14
XPS Group and the John Lewis Partnership (JLP) can confirm the completion of the transition of services to XPS as administrator of the John Lewis Partnership Pensions Trust. First announced in November 2023, this project has now been delivered on schedule, ensuring the continuity of a high-quality service for the Scheme’s 126,000 members, including 41,000 pensioners. Posted on Friday Mar 14
The Law Commission has published a consultation paper on friendly societies as part of a review of the current law in this area. Posted on Thursday Mar 13
The judgement last week by the Tax tribunal in the case of Hastings Insurance Services Ltd v Revenue and Customs [2025] UKFTT 275 (TC) has significant implications for insurance intermediaries and their ability to recover VAT as well as a major cost to HMRC. Posted on Thursday Mar 13
Shaun Moore, tax and financial planning expert at Quilter, comments on the latest HMRC personal incomes statistics: “The impact of the government’s fiscal drag policy has been laid bare in this morning’s personal income statistics from HMRC. In 2022 to 2023, there were a total of 34.5 million taxpayers, 19.1 million of which were male and 15.4 million were female. This represents an increase of 1.5 million taxpayers compared to the prior tax year as wages climbed while income tax thresholds remained stagnant. Posted on Wednesday Mar 12
Wariness remains on markets as high tariffs on steel and aluminium imports come in. US consumer price data in focus amid concerns trade policy will inflame prices. Ceasefire hopes are higher, after talks between Ukraine and the US in Saudi Arabia. Oil prices hover near six-month lows amid concerns about lower global growth and energy demand. Posted on Wednesday Mar 12
• Returns on Guaranteed Income for Life rebounding to 15-year highs • Retirement specialist says best rates are nearly 70% higher than four years ago Posted on Tuesday Mar 11
$9.7 billion reinsurance transaction Comprised of structured settlement and secondary guarantee universal life business Demonstrates Resolution Life’s prudent risk management, substantial capital strength and proven execution capabilities in the US life and annuity market Posted on Friday Mar 7
Interest Rates – Higher rates mean ISAs are more important than ever Inheritance tax - Changes to pension rules mean ISAs are more vulnerable than ever Inflation – Frozen allowances have cut your ISA allowance by 25% Posted on Thursday Mar 6
The dot.com bubble peaked on 10 March 2000, as internet companies saw spectacular gains before dramatic falls. 25 years on there are fears another bubble has emerged amid AI enthusiasm. It comes as tech stocks like Nvidia, Tesla and Palantir are hit by investor nervousness. Amazon’s trajectory shows how market survivors can go on to reap unforeseen rewards. Posted on Thursday Mar 6
Rachael Griffin, tax and financial planning expert at Quilter, comments on the ways people can make the most of the allowances available to them before the start of the new tax year: Posted on Thursday Mar 6
The Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) review of private market valuation processes has found good practice but some room for improvement. Posted on Wednesday Mar 5
FCA bans former Credit Suisse executives following US criminal convictions for their roles in connection with loans to the Republic of Mozambique Posted on Tuesday Mar 4
Brookfield Wealth Solutions has announced that it is entering the UK bulk annuity market to provide buy-in insurance solutions to defined benefit pension schemes under the Blumont Annuity UK brand, with operations expected to begin later in March following final regulatory approvals. Posted on Monday Mar 3
Deal with Just Group secures the benefits of all scheme members. Transaction for £2.8m demonstrates capacity in the market for even the smallest schemes. Concluded swiftly in busy market using Broadstone’s SM&RT Insure process in tandem with Just Group’s streamlined price monitoring service Beacon Posted on Monday Mar 3
LCP welcomes today’s advice from the Climate Change Committee (CCC) on the 7th Carbon Budget (CB7), which sets a legal limit for net greenhouse gas emissions from 2038 to 2042. Since taking office, the current government has focused on decarbonising the power sector in line with its mission for ‘Clean Power 2030,’ but this timely CCC advice reminds us that the requirements for investment and action continue into the next decade. Posted on Wednesday Feb 26
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