Jon Stapleton

It seems there are some areas where CoPilot, Gemini and ChatGPT do substantially outperform DeepSeek...

DWA unveils master trust performance comparisons In light of the chancellor’s Mansion House speech in November, which had a strong focus on consolidation of the defined contribution (DC) market, there was significant industry concern that the end re...

Analysis by Dean Wetton Advisory finds the key reason for outperformance in any master trust has been how much equity risk they have been carrying - with a bonus for if that equity was weighted towards the US.

See: www.professionalpensions.com/news-analysi...

Sadly editors are a bit lower down the scale

An alternative to lifestyling in defined contribution At the end of November, Professional Pensions assembled a panel of experts to look at the issue of defined contribution (DC) lifestyling – asking if there were alternative approaches that could work b...

Do we need an alternative to lifestyling in DC?

Columbia Threadneedle's Christopher Mahon argues the cost to the saver of excessive de-risking in lifestyle defaults is an average performance drag of 2.3% per year.

See: www.professionalpensions.com/sponsored/43...

The response is that, yes, the aim is to make this allocation within the scheme's existing charge structure. I have added this into our article.

Good question. I don't think that is made clear but I will ask and update the article should I get a response.

The People's Pension targets £4bn move into private markets The People’s Pension (TPP) is set to start investing a “significant proportion” of its £31bn assets into private markets later this year – with a target to grow its allocation to £4bn by 2030.

The People’s Pension (TPP) targets £4bn private markets allocation by 2030. Hire of private markets specialist imminent. Initial focus on infra and real estate. CIO Dan Mikulskis said dependable pipeline of investable opportunities needed to hit target. www.professionalpensions.com/news/4396205...

Wouldn't miss the opportunity Steve!

Congrats to @torstenbell.bsky.social on the new appointment!

Emma Reynolds' tenure as pensions minister (189 days) was the third shortest since the role was created in its modern form in July 1998. She is only beaten by John Denham (155 days) and Alex Burghart (38 days).

See: www.professionalpensions.com/news/2201473...

Steve Webb and Laura Myers – There is a better way forward on DC investment The Chancellor has a problem. On the one hand, we are told that generating economic growth is the over-riding ‘mission’ of the government. On the other, the government is severely constrained when it ...

On @profpensions.bsky.social this morning LCP's @stevewebb1.bsky.social and Laura Myers propose a very interesting 'comply and explain' alternative to the government's DC megafunds proposals. www.professionalpensions.com/opinion/4394...

Analysis: What the gilt sell-off means for pension schemes Jonathan Stapleton looks at what has caused the sell-off in UK government bonds and asks industry professionals about the impact it will have on pension schemes.

What the gilt sell-off means for pension schemes... While collateral top-ups may be needed, pension funds are ‘far from another LDI crisis’

www.professionalpensions.com/news-analysi...

When you consider that around three-quarters of the income for companies in the FTSE 100 comes from overseas, how much of UK equity is really UK anyway?

Labour’s pension reforms are based on flawed analysis What exactly do savers get out of investing in the UK, other than a patriotic glow?

A really interesting piece in the FT by @johnralfe.bsky.social today... In it, Ralfe notes UK equity allocation for DC is already double the “neutral” weighting and asks what savers get out of investing in the UK, other than a patriotic glow? www.ft.com/content/3e67...

Naan bread cheese?

Also, pensions and cheese both have problems with whey too much regulation...

A good cheeseboard and pensions have a lot in common - you need diversification; to consider a high proportion of UK assets; and scale can bring advantages...

The Stichelton and Baron Bigod cheeses from Neal's Dairy Yard are exceptional this year. Definitely my recommendation for a festive cheeseboard. Oh... And the M&S Delice de Bourgogne. A nice Montgomery cheddar and a small piece of goats cheese on the side. Definitely no chutney.

Some 3.5 million self-employed people of working age save nothing in a private pension. They are, as @stephawthorne.bsky.social says in her latest piece for @profpensions.bsky.social, "left out in the cold". This article looks at how we might solve the problem of pensions for the self-employed...

PensionBee's Romi Savova hits out at government push for DC investment in illiquids Prioritising investments in illiquid assets risks leaving savers with poorer retirement outcomes, PensionBee chief executive Romi Savova says.

PensionBee's Romi Savova hits out at intensifying policymaker push for increased allocations to illiquid assets saying it could lead to "poorer retirement outcomes due to higher fees, diminished transparency, and limited flexibility" - www.professionalpensions.com/news/4386080...

Now Bitcoin is worth $100k though, we may want a sub-unit refresher. A millibitcoin (mBTC) is equal to 1⁄1000 bitcoin, and the satoshi (sat), represents 1⁄100000000 (one hundred millionth) bitcoin, the smallest amount possible. 100,000 satoshis are one mBTC. I don't have a satoshi to my name.

I don't know 🤷

The case for pension scheme investment in Bitcoin. In this article for PP, Sam Roberts explains why he believes Bitcoin has evolved from a niche digital asset into a mainstream investment opportunity. See: www.professionalpensions.com/opinion/4384... #Bitcoin

The options available for smaller DB schemes In October, Professional Pensions assembled a panel of experts to look at the options available for smaller schemes – assessing the choices they have in areas such as governance, endgame and investmen...

In October, Professional Pensions assembled a panel of experts to look at the options available for smaller schemes – assessing the choices they have in areas such as governance, endgame and investment.

Read the discussion in full here: www.professionalpensions.com/sponsored/43...

Updated: The biggest buy-ins and buyouts since 2007 There have now been 142 buy-in and buyout deals of over £500m announced since 2007. The full list is as follows...

To see the @profpensions.bsky.social list of the biggest buy-ins and buyouts announced since 2007, visit: www.professionalpensions.com/news/3062718...

M&G completes £500m BPA deal that shares value with corporate sponsor A pension scheme sponsored by an unnamed private corporate sponsor has completed a £500m value share bulk purchase annuity (BPA) transaction with M&G.

Two significant BPA deals today - an innovative £500m 'value share' deal between a corporate sponsor and M&G (see: www.professionalpensions.com/news/4382322...) and a £1.7bn pensioner buy-in between the National Grid section of the ESPS and Aviva (see: www.professionalpensions.com/news/4382318...)

PP Investment Awards 2024: The winners Here they are… the winners of the Professional Pensions Investment Awards 2024.

Here they are... The winners of the Professional Pensions Investment Awards 2024: www.professionalpensions.com/news/4381258...

Congratulations to all the winners!

Major master trusts express concern over government's approach to DC consolidation Two major master trust consolidators – Smart Pension and SEI Master Trust – have expressed concern over the way the chancellor is looking to consolidate the defined contribution (DC) scheme market.

Two major master trust consolidators - Smart Pension and SEI - have expressed concerns of government DC scaling plans... They say timelines are tight and there are competition concerns: www.professionalpensions.com/news/4380582...

@jackjonestuc.bsky.social Have I inadvertently just made an Omelette Jack Jones?

Pension professionals and their pets - Christmas 2023 The latest recruit to the Eversheds Sutherland pensions team and an unexpected appearance from “Santa Paws” has led to a deluge of pension pet posts in the run-up to Christmas.

Almost time for the next annual Pensions Professionals and their Pets? www.professionalpensions.com/news/4157604...