Andy Smith

2 weeks ago | barnett-waddingham.co.uk | Nikhil Patel |Andy Smith

As we move through 2025, it's a good moment to reflect on how pension schemes are engaging with insurers – how this process has evolved, and what may lie ahead. A look backThree years ago, the pensions landscape looked quite different. Long-term interest rates were still below 1%, many schemes were grappling with buyout deficits, and demand for insurance-based solutions was already running high.

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.