06 February 2024
In this podcast series, we will be joined by experts from across Burges Salmon as well as select special guests to discuss a range of issues relevant to the pensions industry.

New episodes will be released fortnightly and will appear below as they are released.

Latest episodes

 

Episode descriptions

Season Four

Episode 6 – Insurer Due Diligence: How does it help trustees navigating the pension insurance market?

Just like that we have reached the end of Season 4 of the Burges Salmon Pensions Pod.

The pensions insurance market has exploded over the last 12-24 months, so in our final episode Chris Brown and Helen Norman are joined by Richard Hall, a partner at Argyll Covenant Advisory, to discuss insurer due diligence and how this can assist trustees' decision making.

With so many schemes now considering buy-ins/outs, Chris, Helen and Richard will cover: 

  1. What an insurer due diligence assessment is and what it can cover;
  2. Why do due diligence on the insurer; and
  3. The legal duties of trustees during a buy-in.

The episode is 19 minutes long. To view a version with subtitles please click here and to read the transcript, click here.

Episode 5 – The gender pensions gap: What is it and possible solutions for addressing the gap?

In the latest episode of the Burges Salmon Pensions Pod, Chris and Helen are joined by Emma Moore (an Associate Partner at Aon) to discuss the gender pensions gap.

In this episode Chris, Helen and Emma cover: 

  1. What the gender pensions gap is;
  2. Why it is so significant; and
  3. Possible solutions for addressing the gap.

The episode is 25 minutes long. To view a version with subtitles please click here.

Episode 4 – How are we seeing trustees respond to the recent Virgin Media case?

In our first episode of 2024 Helen is joined by Luke Parry-Billings, a trainee solicitor in our pensions team to discuss how trustees could respond to the recent Virgin Media Ltd v NTL Pension Trustees II case.

The High Court considered the question of whether amendments made to rights to the payment of pensions and accrued rights to pensions in a contracted-out Scheme would be invalid in the absence of actuarial confirmation. This raises the question - What should trustees do next?

In this episode Helen and Luke cover:

  1. A summary of the Virgin Media Ltd v NTL Pension Trustees II case and its upcoming appeal;
  2. The questions that our clients are asking us in relation to the case; and
  3. The different ways we are seeing trustees respond to the case.

The episode is 14 minutes long. To view a version with subtitles please click here and to read the transcript, click here.

Episode 3 – How much do you know about AI (artificial intelligence) and how it is impacting the pensions industry? 

In the latest episode of the Burges Salmon Pensions Pod, Tom Whittaker a senior associate at Burges Salmon who is an AI specialist joins Chris and Helen to discuss what you need to know about AI in pensions.

In this episode we take it right back to basics (what is AI?) before looking at the current situation and what trustees and employers can be doing to get ready for AI to disrupt the pensions industry. The episode is 23 minutes long.

To view a version with subtitles please click here and to read the transcript, click here.

Episode 2 – How might the Mansion House proposals change the pensions landscape?

Whether you know a little, a little bit more, or a lot about the recent Mansion House proposals, our latest podcast episode will have something for you. Douglas Hogg, Client Director at Zedra joins our presenters Chris and Helen to cover two elements of the July Mansion House proposals: 

  • Using DB in productive finance; and
  • DB consolidation.

There is something for everyone, whether you are a trustee or an employer. The episode is 23 minutes long.

To access a version with subtitles, please click here and to read the transcript, click here.

Episode 1 – A round-up of recent pensions news stories

In our opening episode of season four, our presenters Chris and Helen are joined by our pensions trainee solicitors and apprentice to run through some of the latest pensions news stories.

Topics covered include the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, PPF’s Public Consolidator blog post, the UK-US data bridge, the Mansions House Pensions Summit, and a recent Ombudsman determination - there is something for everyone, whether you are a trustee or an employer. The episode is 21 minutes long.

To access a version with subtitles, please click here and to read the transcript, click here.

Season Three

Episode 1 – What’s on the pensions agenda for trustees and employers in 2023? 

We are delighted to be back for Season Three of the Burges Salmon Pensions Pod. 

In the first episode, regular hosts Chris and Helen look ahead at what developments 2023 will bring to the world of pensions. They are joined by Rebecca Peake, Senior Consultant at Aon, to talk about dashboards – particularly from the member’s perspective. The episode is 19 minutes long.

To access a version with subtitles, please click here and to read the transcript, click here.

Episode 2 –  What’s the latest on the revised DB funding code?

Whether you know a little, a little bit more, or a lot about the changes to the funding regime, our latest podcast episode will have something for you. 

Paul Houghton, Partner and actuary at Barnett Waddingham, joins Chris and Helen to discuss the consultation on the draft funding code of practice for defined benefit (DB) pension schemes. The episode is 32 minutes long.

To access a version with subtitles, please click here and to read the transcript, click here.

Episode 3 –  Why is equality, diversity and inclusion important in the pensions landscape?

In our latest podcast episode Chris and Helen are joined by Richard Pettit, a partner in our pensions team who is also a member of the Pensions Regulator’s Industry Working Group for EDI, and Charlotte Osmond, a senior associate in our pensions team.

This 20 minute episode covers topics such as the Pensions Regulator’s strategy for EDI, the importance of inclusion in the context of pension scheme members and ways for trustees to promote EDI.

To access a version with subtitles, please click here and to read the transcript, click here.

Episode 4 –  A round-up of recent pensions news stories

In this very special episode, our presenters Chris and Helen  are joined by not one but five guests! Our pensions trainee solicitors run through some of the latest pensions news stories. Topics covered include the evolving LDI crisis, the issues around deferred small pots and the Department for Work and Pensions’ Value for Money Consultation. The episode is 14 minutes long.

To access a version with subtitles, please click here and to read the transcript, click here.

Episode 5 – It’s been five years since GDPR - what do you need to know?

It’s been almost five years since GDPR came into force and brought in huge changes for pension schemes and trustees.

In this 23 minute episode, Isaac Bedi joins Chris and Helen to discuss the post Brexit regime and what comes next for data protection and pension schemes. Topics covered include requirements around international data transfers and the recently reintroduced Data Protection and Digital Information Bill.

To access a version with subtitles, please click here and to read the transcript, click here

Episode 6 – What does the Spring Budget mean for pensions trustees and employers?

The Spring Budget 2023 brought in major changes to the pensions tax regime.

In this 24 minute episode, Catrin Young and Emily Fox join Chris and Helen to discuss what’s new, how the changes will affect pension scheme trustees and employers, and what scheme members will likely be thinking about.

To access a version with subtitles, please click here and to read the transcript, click here.

Season Two

Episode 1 – Where are we with GMP Equalisation projects?  

To access a version with subtitles, please click here and to read the transcript, click here.

Episode 2 – Defined Benefit Consolidation – what are the options? 

To access a version with subtitles, please click here and to read the transcript, click here.

Episode 3 – Why is ESG important for pension schemes and where are we now?

To access a version with subtitles, please click here and to read the transcript, click here.

Episode 4 – What is good pension scheme governance? – the Single Code, Cyber Security and liberation scams  

To access a version with subtitles, please click here and to read the transcript, click here.

Episode 5 – Personal Pensions: what do SIPP operators need to know following the Carey judgments? 

To access a version with subtitles, please click here and to read the transcript, click here.

Episode 6 – The latest need to know pensions law updates 

To access a version with subtitles, please click here and to read the transcript, click here.

Season One

Episode 1 - Contingency Planning: Preparing for if things go wrong

To access a version with subtitles, please click here and to read the transcript, click here.

Episode 2 - Pension Schemes Act 2021 and Corporate Transactions

 To access a version with subtitles, please click here and to read the transcript, click here.

Episode 3 - Pensions Law for Charities

To access a version with subtitles, please click here and to read the transcript, click here.

Episode 4 - How to transfer defined contribution benefits to a Master Trust

To access a version with subtitles, please click here and to read the transcript, click here.

Episode 5 - What you need to know about the forthcoming Single Code of Practice 

To access a version with subtitles, please click here and to read the transcript, click here.

Episode 6 - What you need to know about the latest RPI / CPI developments

To access a version with subtitles, please click here and to read the transcript, click here.

Key contact

Chris Brown

Chris Brown Director

  • Pensions Services
  • Pensions Regulatory
  • Pensions Legal Advice

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