Andy Smith

Jan 17, 2025 | professionalpensions.com | Nikhil Patel |Andy Smith

If we turn the clock back three years, to a world where long-term interest rates were less than 1%, and many schemes had significant buyout deficits, the buy-out market was busier than ever before. Annual premiums were between £25bn and £30bn, with volumes dominated by large well-funded schemes, partial buy-ins and some deals requiring significant sponsor funding.

Jul 26, 2024 | barnett-waddingham.co.uk | Rosie Fantom |Andy Smith

As we navigate through 2024, the bulk annuity market is showing signs of unprecedented growth. At Barnett Waddingham (BW), we predicted this year's business volumes would challenge the 2023 record of £49.1bn. Now, as we enter the second half of the year, we offer our insights on market trends and what pension scheme trustees and managers can expect in the coming months. Market overview: setting the stage for successThe bulk annuity market has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth in 2024.

Apr 1, 2024 | halldale.com | Andy Smith

This March 26, the 984.3ft-long (300m) Singapore-flagged cargo vessel Dali reportedly lost power while transiting out of Baltimore Harbor and struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, resulting in the bridge collapsing and damage to the vessel.

Jan 25, 2024 | ncass.org.uk | Andy Smith

On the 24th of January NCASS submitted our representation for the Spring Budget to the treasury. Before every budget there is a period of representation where individuals, businesses and organisations can share the challenges they are facing, give examples and statistics and propose solutions that would support them best. We are campaigning for change for you with our #empowerindependents campaign and ask that if you haven’t already done, please take part in our survey here.

Oct 30, 2023 | lexology.com | Andy Smith

'The line in the sand'What is the ‘dividing date’, referred to in the NEC4 contract, and why is it so important? The contract does not refer to the ‘dividing date’ as an ‘identified and defined term’ but its function can be easily determined from Clause 63 which sets out the procedure for assessing compensation events.