V-FM: The Pensions Podcast

V-FM Pensions #90: Žiga Vižintin from Slovenia's Pension Fund A

In this episode of V-FM Pensions hosts Darren and Nico chat to Žiga Vižintin, Director of Retirement Solutions at 'Pokojninska družba A pension fund' ('Pension Fund A') and author of the Irrational Retirement Blog.
We chat the US election, a news story about Nordic regulators sending a joint letter to European regulators urging simpler pension regulation, statistics from the European regulator EIOPA showing low pensions participation across Europe, an unnamed UK pension scheme allocating 3% to Bitcoin, and the presence of microplastics in the human brain and their potential health impacts.
We also discuss pension reform plans in Slovenia, including the potential introduction of auto-enrolment, and, of course, what value for money means to Žiga.

V-FM Pensions #89: Tan Suee Chieh

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to Tan Suee Chieh, former CEO of Prudential Singapore, former CEO of Singapore's NTUC (National Trade Union Congress), and past President of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.
As well as chatting to Suee Chieh about how he got into pensions and value for money, we spend some time focussing on the proposed sale of Singapore’s NTUC Income to Allianz - a strong example of the importance of speaking up.
We also chat about the proposed acquisition of Redington by Gallagher, the launch of the new trustee company Aretas Trustees, and we send Andrew Warwick-Thompson our heartfelt best wishes.

V-FM Pensions #88: V-FM meets Pensions in Ten

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren Philp and Nico Aspinall join Broadstone's Simon Kew and David Brooks for a V-FM/Pensions in Ten mashup to discuss Rachel Reeve's first Budget as Chancellor of the Exchequer. 

V-FM Pensions #87: Tomorrow's Company's Jonathan Maguire

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico spend time chatting with Tomorrow’s Company Jonathan Maguire. Tomorrow’s Company is an organisation focused on inspiring businesses to be a force for good in society and Jon’s focus is on the state of the education system, particularly the lack of funding for special educational needs and the disconnect between the curriculum and the needs of young people.
Less pensions chat in this episode, but a really positive and insightful discussion where Jon talks about how we can and should be empowering and inspiring young people, developing their skills, and connecting them with local businesses and mentors.
Investing properly in our kids’ futures… what could be better value for money than that!?

V-FM Pensions #86: Jerry Moriarty, CEO of the Irish Association of Pension Funds

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to the CEO of the Irish Association of Pension Funds, Jerry Moriarty.
As well as finding out what value for money means to Jerry, we learn about the Irish pension system and the proposed introduction of auto enrolment. We talk about lessons from the UK experience of introducing auto enrolment and pick up on the question of the FCA's value for money consultation which closed this week.
We also chat about the recently published Mercer Global Pensions Index (an annual ranking of pension systems worldwide based on adequacy, sustainability, and integrity) and discuss the proposed sale of a mutual insurer in Singapore including the objection and backlash it has created.
 

VFM Pensions #85: David Porter

In this episode of V-FM the pensions podcast, Darren and Nico chat to the legend that is David Porter. David is now an independent investment consultant who helps schemes and providers implement new approaches.
As well as talking about what value for money means to David, we also chat Royal Mail CDC, CDC more generally and Willis Towers Watson arguing that DC is 'broken', deaths outnumbering births in the UK and the cost of a pint of beer! 

V-FM Pensions #84: Tackling costs and scaling up...Brightwell's Morten Nilsson talks value for money

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat with Morten Nilsson, CEO of Brightwell, about what value for money means to him.
As we move to cover more than just defined contribution pensions we spend time talking about the challenges and rising costs of running defined benefit schemes, the impact and cost of advisers, and conflicts of interest within the pensions industry.
We chat about the importance of consolidation, not just in the DC and LGPS sectors, but also for private sector DB. In Morten's eyes small schemes need to collaborate to reach a scale that allows for better management and value for money. 
We also chat about what the future holds and Morten is clear that DB pensions will remain important for decades, despite many schemes now being closed; there are exciting opportunities for trustees and sponsors to manage surpluses creatively.

V-FM Pensions #83: Bravura's Jon Hawkins talks Pensions Dashboards

In this episode of V-FM, the Pensions Podcast, hosts Darren and Nico are joined by Jonathan Hawkins, Propositions Lead at Bravura, to dive deep into what Value for Money (VFM) means in the pensions world.
As we navigate Pensions Dashboard Week, Jonathan shares insights on the challenges and opportunities that the industry faces as it prepares for one of the biggest transformations in recent times. We discuss the impact of technology—or the lack thereof—in delivering VFM, the role of data quality, and the importance of evolving core pension systems to meet future customer needs.
Jonathan doesn’t hold back on highlighting where the industry needs to improve, from outdated tech to how the sector can better engage with underrepresented groups.

V-FM Pensions #82: Man of the People's.... Patrick Heath-Lay

In this episode of V-FM Pensions hosts Darren and Nico chat to their former boss and Chief Executive of the People's Partnership Patrick Heath-Lay. Patrick has been at People's (formerly B&CE) for his whole career and has a remarkable story of joining the organisation to deliver the mail and then working his way up to become CEO of one of the largest pension schemes in the country.
We, of course, ask Patrick what value for money means to him, but we also have an in depth discussion about policy and what's in the store for the future. We chat pensions adequacy, the Government's pensions review and productive finance. We also cover transfers, consolidation and scheme quality and the evolution of pensions in the UK, including how Patrick (and others) came together to truly disrupt the pensions market with the launch of the People's Pension back in 2011.
The most surprising thing about this episode though... Patrick is even complimentary about Nico's piano playing!

V-FM Pensions #81: The FCA's value for money consultation

In this episode of V-FM pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat about the Financial Conduct Authority's value for money consultation CP24-16.
What do we like, what don't we like, what do we think will work, and where is there room for improvement? Listen to find out all this and more.