Agreed. It was good to meet members of the Commission this morning and to hear more about the scope. Good choice of chair and members of the Commission. Looking forward to a much needed strategic plan with timelines
Posts by Ruston Smith
We cannot allow tomorrow’s retirees to be poorer than today’s - which is what we are on track for. So we are reviving the Pensions Commission to set Britain on a different course www.gov.uk/government/n...
My thoughts for the Telegraph today on why we need to do more to help younger people not end up as renters in retirement- including looking at controversial ideas such as early access to pension pots for deposits… www.telegraph.co.uk/money/proper...
Great article by Sir Steve. We should consider the learnings from international savings models that like the US, South Africa, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia support everyday people on lifetime savings up to and in retirement. Great opportunity to create a sustainable system for the future
Great to meet the Nelson Trust's team in Swansea, to hear how they support women in our city and beyond.
The support on offer isn't one-size-fits all, but anyone in need can expect a welcoming safe space with a washing machine and showers, and a passionate team that go the extra mile to help.
If you’re right Steve this would be a further (indirect) increase in NI for employers as well as employees and could influence employers to reduce pension contribution rates to the statutory minimum - reducing long term retirement savings.
For those who are interested in such things, a surprising piece of research by HMRC published today, testing the attitudes of employers to 'hypothetical' cuts in 'salary sacrifice' for pensions. Feels like this just went up the agenda for Autumn Budget cuts! www.gov.uk/government/p...
Post match analysis of PMI Conference with Bobby Riddaway henrytapper.com/2025/03/17/p... It’s good to see Bobby still smiling after Liverpool went down to Dan Burn and his fellow Geordies yesterday.
Looks lovely. PB water ski-ing this week but not running I’m afraid - too slow!
Latest episode of V-FM pensions has just landed with the one and only @rustonasmith.bsky.social. Take a listen: www.podbean.com/eas/pb-uutiu.... Great chat!
It was a real pleasure to talk to Darren and Nico about a wide range of issues. Thank you for inviting me on your show
Means testing the State Pension would also create a disincentive to remain in AE and to save for retirement
Agreed. Need to provide certainty on State Pension entitlement so that it’s the foundation upon which people can build and plan. Means testing would be like putting quick sand right across retirement benefits. Need to support people - not make life even more complicated and uncertain
Many congratulations! We’re looking forward to supporting and working with you Torsten. Lots of opportunity!
I totally agree Steve. @torstenbell.skyb.social experience and understanding of our society and its challenges from the Resolution Foundation will be really helpful in building on the work by Emma Reynolds. A clear vision and plan is critical so we can move forwards.
Excellent compilation from Uncle Steve that I’m sure will have helped thousands of people. Well done to Sir Steve and This is Money. Next step could be an online book of FAQs to help those in need!!
The nice people at This is Money have kindly compiled a ‘greatest hits’ of my columns answering readers’ pensions questions during 2024 - see what you think! www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/pensio...
The best, Ian
I agree that the industry could take the lead and we do need to think more broadly than pensions, Andrew. There are areas we could improve, the Lifetime Savings Initiative is an example, but we’ll require a few regulatory changes. @jamesbarham1963.bsky.social @stevewebb1.bsky.social
Agreed. Had the opportunity to agree a lot term plan to get us to where we need to be - providing confidence, visibility and time to plan
www.ft.com/content/d102... - 2nd pension review sorting out inadequate pension contributions kicked into long grass - an inevitable consequence of the Budget NI employer contribution hike.
A real opportunity missed to consult on and announce necessary contribution increases and to agree fair and sensible future dates of implementation - allowing employers to plan - with no surprises
This title if the comic is ‘Googling Stuff…’ The comic shows two columns: on the left is “Then” showing search results with one thing listed as “the thing you want” On the right column is ‘Now’ - also showing search results but in this case it’s a whole bunch of stuff you don’t need: AI TAKING A WILD STAB AT IT WITH SOME BLATANT MISINFORMATION SPONSORED RESULT SPONSORED RESULT SPONSORED RESULT SPONSORED RESULT PEOPLE ALSO ASK VIEW PRODUCTS And then right at the bottom just off screen is ‘the thing you want’
Googling Stuff: Then v Now.
@stephawthorne.bsky.social
This is also supported by the extensive research and conclusion of the Lifetime Savings Initiative, Stephanie - done by the PMI, Schroders and its partners.
Welcome. I’m one of those Paul. Been supporting #LUFC since before Billy Bremner captained Leeds - and I do pensions and asset management stuff
Thank you Mike. Good to be here.
A new government doing a 'pensions review' should be able to look holistically not just at saving for a pension, but saving for a house and saving for life's emergencies. Maybe even a single product / system? As discussed here by @rustonasmith.bsky.social www.pensions-pmi.org.uk/resources/pm...
Do follow @hendopolis.bsky.social and his colleagues who voluntarily post the next day’s papers - let’s encourage them to do it here!