Aamina Zafar

Journalist at Freelance

Journalist, mother, wife & daughter

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Articles

Mortgages: Finding the fees

2 weeks ago | pfp.thepfs.org | Aamina Zafar

Families are increasingly considering their mortgage strategy to fund the rise in private school fees. Most people do not have hundreds of thousands of pounds saved up to cover the cost of private education, but the rise in house values has led to some considering their mortgage options.
TPT unveils ‘groundbreaking’ retirement income offering

2 weeks ago | pensions-expert.com | Aamina Zafar

TPT Retirement Solutions has launched a new post-retirement offering for its defined contribution (DC) master trust members, as the government prepares to legislate for default decumulation services. The “income for life” product – described by TPT as “first of its kind” – will allow members to convert their pension pots into a sustainable, inflation-linked income.
Employers risk fines amid struggle to comply with auto-enrolment

2 weeks ago | pensions-expert.com | Aamina Zafar

Businesses risk non-compliance and fines after research found that just over half of employers are confident their pension scheme complies with automatic enrolment regulations. Analysis from Towergate Employee Benefits, published last week, found that 57% of employers were “very confident” that their pension scheme was compliant with auto-enrolment requirements, such as minimum contribution levels and re-enrolment every three years.
GMP communication failing costs Volkswagen scheme £500

2 months ago | pensions-expert.com | Aamina Zafar

The Ombudsman awarded a member of the Volkswagen Group Pension Scheme, known as Mr N, £500 in compensation for a failure to keep them updated with the progress of GMP equalisation for the scheme. The Pensions Ombudsman stated that “failure to keep Mr N informed on progress, even if there was not a great deal to report, would have continued to cause him unnecessary distress and inconvenience”. It acknowledged that there was no prescribed deadline for pension schemes to complete GMP equalisation.
Aegon adds further LTAFs to default investment offering

2 months ago | pensions-expert.com | Aamina Zafar

The Financial Conduct Authority has approved two LTAFs, adding to a previous fund launched last year and managed by BlackRock. The new funds provide exposure to private markets for the 700,000 savers in its largest default fund, the Universal Balanced Collection. The two funds are run by Aegon Asset Management and JP Morgan Asset Management and are set to launch in the second half of this year. Carne Group is the administrator for both funds.
Scottish Widows embeds sustainability into new lifetime pension offering

Mar 27, 2025 | pensions-expert.com | Aamina Zafar

The company’s existing workplace pension offering, known as Pension Investment Approaches (PIA), which have more than £60bn in assets collectively, will be replaced by the new Scottish Widows Lifetime Investment. The new default fund is available for new employers and for individual customers on a self-select basis, while existing customers invested in the PIA default will transition to the new fund.
How To Get The Most Bang For Your Buck With An Annual Pass –

Mar 26, 2025 | belleabouttown.com | Aamina Zafar

Annual passes can be a great way to explore your favourite attraction if you are willing to pay a bigger sum upfront. Over the years I’ve bought a few annual passes to a variety of venues across the UK including zoos, theme parks as well as gardens and woodlands. There are a few things I always consider before buying an annual pass to ensure I can get the most bang for my buck. Here are my tips and tricks if you’re also weighing up the idea of buying an annual pass.
The DEI battleground

Mar 20, 2025 | pfp.thepfs.org | Aamina Zafar

A pensions expert describes the backlash against progressive initiatives like diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as a “failure of human behavioural bias”. Charlotte O’Heary, chief executive officer at Pensions For Purpose, explains that people often default to prioritising what appears first. In the case of DEI, that’s ‘diversity’; and in the case of environmental, social and governance (ESG), it’s ‘environmental’.
Survey shows artificial intelligence use is growing across the pensions industry

Mar 19, 2025 | pensions-expert.com | Aamina Zafar

A recent member poll from the Society of Pension Professionals (SPP) showed that 87% of respondents said AI was being used by their firm. The survey, which was published on Monday, also revealed the technology's use was currently limited, as 77% used AI in up to 5% of their services. Matthew Giles, SPP council member and a partner at law firm Squire Patton Boggs, said: “The survey results are very helpful in terms of testing the mood of the pensions industry on AI.
PLSA appoints 10 in policy board expansion

Mar 13, 2025 | pensions-expert.com | Aamina Zafar

The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) has appointed 10 new members to its policy board from across defined benefit, defined contribution, local government and advisory organisations. Five new members have started with immediate effect and a further five will join from October this year.