News Archive
October 2009
Capita Hartshead at the NAPF Annual Conference 2009
Oct 2009 Jennifer HoltThe Conference promised to be a hub of excitement and expectation, with the latest products and services available to the pensions industry on show, as well as around 1000 top industry professionals attending, and it didn’t disappoint.
A crowning moment for Capita Hartshead payroll services
Oct 2009 Steve BirksCapita Hartshead announced today that it has received the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Pensioner Payroll Standard Accreditation. This certifies that the firm’s pensioner payroll systems meet the required standard for government contractors. In addition, Capita Hartshead is now listed by HMRC as an accredited provider and can display the ‘crown’ logo.
PPF 7800 Index
Oct 2009 Andrew ShortThe latest PPF 7800 Index revealed a worsening in the aggregate funding position over August 2009.
High Court issues judgement in the Heyday Case
Oct 2009 Mark ThompsonThe High Court has ruled that employers can continue to force employees to retire at 65. This judgement follows a legal challenge mounted by Heyday, part of the charity Age Concern, in which it was argued that the UK age discrimination regulations do not properly give effect to the requirements of the EU Equal Treatment Directive.
Special Annual Allowance Update
Oct 2009 Rachel McAllisterThe Special Annual Allowance was introduced in Budget 2009 and since that point HMRC have been working with pensions industry representatives to finalise the technical guidance which accompanies it.
Pension Quality Mark
Oct 2009 Andrew ShortWith the challenge of today’s economy it is refreshing to have something to celebrate, and the Pension Quality Mark provides that. The shift from defined benefit schemes to defined contribution ones has left many people feeling that they are only getting second best, this much anticipated award has been brought in to restore confidence in pension saving.
News from the Pensions Regulator
Oct 2009 Amy AshfordThe Pensions Regulator has published an information leaflet in conjunction with the FSA entitled ‘Guide for Employers: talking to your employees about pensions’.
Proposed relaxations to the Employer Debt Regulations
Oct 2009 Mark RiordanThe Employer Debt regulations set out the requirements for employers ceasing to participate actively in a multi-employer defined benefit scheme, to provide protection for its members where there is a shortfall between the scheme’s assets and liabilities, i.e. the scheme’s debt.
Progression of 2012 reforms
Oct 2009 Mark RiordanThe Government has recently published the third in a series of consultations on the proposed workplace reforms from 2012. In addition, the response to an earlier consultation was published at the same time outlining a number of changes and clarifications, some of which have been carried over into the current consultation. A further consultation on the default option for workplace personal pensions and SIPPS has also been published.
