John Lappin

London

Editor, Journalist and Consultant at Freelance

Doing things for Octo Members, Corporate Adviser, IFA issues. Views are mine.

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Articles

Guidance on target?

4 days ago | corporate-adviser.com | John Lappin

The workplace sector is in the midst of a huge policy shift in terms of the assistance which can and, in some circumstances, must be offered to scheme members. The initiatives include investment pathways, which are already up and running, withthe forthcoming pension bill promising legislation to offer guided retirement solutions.
Trump threat to sustainable pensions

1 month ago | corporate-adviser.com | John Lappin

Will the election of President Trump upend the broad consensus in the UK and Europe around sustainable investing and pensions? The past few months have witnessed an unprecedented shift in approach in the US involving open hostility to net zero, sustainability and ESG. It isn’t just environmental policies under attack — there are also implications for both the ’S’ (social) and ‘G’ (governance).
Decumulation blind date

1 month ago | corporate-adviser.com | John Lappin

The idea that a scheme member comes to the end of his or her working life, leaves their workplace scheme and is then left to determine and devise their own retirement plan is increasingly anathema to policymakers. To that end, trustees are set to have a new duty.
Trusting the trustees

Mar 19, 2025 | corporate-adviser.com | John Lappin

Inthe world of workplace pensions, the mantra of the day from policymakers is that bigger is better. But despite this general trend, in relation to scheme size and default funds, the Pensions Regulator is asking searching questions about concentration in other parts of the chain including the booming sector of professional trustees.
Green light for pension transfers?

Nov 26, 2024 | corporate-adviser.com | John Lappin

Corporate advisers have always advised on switching pension schemes — with cost, poor service, fund choice or better support with engagement typically driving these decisions. But switching activity remains relatively low. As a component of competition this is a concern for policymakers and regulators as they pursue a revamped value for money framework. VFM is not a new concept for workplace pensions.
The risks of carbon to pension brands

Aug 26, 2024 | corporate-adviser.com | John Lappin

How fair was it for protesters to single out Baillie Gifford for its approach to fossil fuels, and what does this tell us about the pensions industry’s relationship with carbon? John Lappin reportsLast August, Scottish asset manager Baillie Gifford found itself in the crosshairs of campaigners who seized on its support of literary festivals to demand complete divestment from fossil fuel holdings.
Deciphering decumulation options

Jun 26, 2024 | corporate-adviser.com | John Lappin

All sections of the workplace pension sector are coming under pressure to improve access to retirement solutions to facilitate better decisions.But as always, with two regulators there are differences in the detail of each approach and the speed at which these initiatives move. The FCA-regulated market has overseen the development of investment pathways. Last year’s post-implementation review noted an ABI finding for the first quarter of 2023, pointing to an average 50 per cent take up rate.
Labour’s pension plans

Jun 6, 2024 | corporate-adviser.com | John Lappin

Conservative losses in recent local and mayoral elections, a recent string of by-election defeats and Labour extending its leads in the polls have led many to predict that Sir Keir Starmer will have the keys to number 10 after July’s general election – and with a considerable majority. Although the polls may narrow as we get closer to the election, the bookies and most industry insiders are predicting a Labour win. But what could this mean for pensions policy?
The low down on LTAFs

May 30, 2024 | corporate-adviser.com | John Lappin

Long-term asset funds were first heralded by the then Chancellor Rishi Sunak in November 2020, as part of his plans for the post-Covid recovery — although much of the groundwork for these new investment vehicles had been done before the pandemic.
Corporate Adviser podcast: Support for pot for life

May 9, 2024 | corporate-adviser.com | John Lappin

In this latest episode in the small pots/pot for life podcast, Corporate Adviser talks to those who broadly support the reforms. We note the view the social market foundation’s Michael Johnson widely credited with influencing the shift towards pot for life among politicians and policymakers. He says more competition will drive better value for members.