V-FM: The Pensions Podcast

VFM Special #4: the DWP value for money consultation response (and summer chat)

In this episode of V-FM, the Pensions Podcast, Nico and Darren chat through some high level reactions to the DWP's value for money consultation response. They also have a good old chin wag about the news, including transfer times, short term politics getting in the way of longer term policy development and concern about recently announced governance changes at the IFoA.

V-FM Pensions #28: TPR’s Louise Davey

In this episode of V-FM, Nico and Darren chat to Lou Davey from the Pensions Regulator about all things DC and value for money. Lou talks about how TPR is changing, how it is looking to drive better outcomes and its exciting agenda for reform. We also find out why Lou buys expensive trainers....

V-FM Pensions #27: Adrian Boulding talks Collective DC

In this episode of V-FM: The Pensions Podcast, Darren and Nico chat to the man with many hats, the one and only Adrian Boulding about what value for money means to him. The conversation centres around Adrian's work on Collective Defined Contribution, but we also draw on Adrian's significant experience in the pensions sector and as an actuary for a fantastic conversation.

V-FM Pensions #26: The one where we discuss the avalanche of DWP consultations with Hargreaves’ Nathan Long

In this episode of V-FM Nico and Darren chat to Nathan Long from Hargreaves Lansdown. We weren't short of things to cover this week with the launch of various DWP policy papers - we discuss all that and more, including, of course, what value for money means to Nathan.

V-FM Pensions #25: Mattea Pauc, founder of Re-educating Earthlings, talks sloths, pangolins and pink grasshoppers

In this episode Darren and Nico chat to the founder of Re-educating Earthlings' Mattea Pauc about the climate crisis and how Mattea's work aims to reconnect people with nature through education. Mattea is a self publisher of two educational books, and as well as covering her excellent work, we also touch on what value for money in pensions means to her.

V-FM Pensions #24: Muse’s Ian McQuade talks lycra, investment choice, the importance of admin and value for money

In the latest episode of V-FM, the Pensions Podcast, Darren and Nico chat to Muse Advisory's Ian McQuade. This is a wide-ranging discussion about all things DC, including Ian bringing in a news story that we all found hard to believe. We cover the role that independent advisors such as Muse can play in helping employers and schemes really think about what good looks like from a member perspective, and, of course, what value for money means to him.

V-FM Pensions #23: Andrew Warwick-Thompson

In this episode of V-FM The Pensions Podcast, Nico and Darren chat to Andrew Warwick-Thompson, formerly of the Pensions Regulator and now a professional trustee. We cover loads, including master trust authorisation, transfer scams, illiquid investments, market consolidation and the importance of ED&I in the consideration of value for money. Well worth a listen!

V-FM Pensions #22: Mr Annuity, Mark Ormston, talks, er, well, annuities and, of course, value for money

In this episode Darren and Nico have the pleasure of speaking to Retirement Line's Mark Ormston about value for money in DC pensions, particularly focussed on at retirement and annuities. We also discuss CDC as well as other topical items in our usual round up of the pensions news.

V-FM Pensions #21: Robert Holford talks economics, two regulators and value for money

In the latest episode of VFM the pensions podcast, Darren and Nico chat to Altus' director of life and pensions, Robert Holford. Robert has had a distinguished career in the industry spanning the consultancy Spence Johnson, the FCA and TPR. We, of course, talk all things V-FM, but we also get the tragedy of the commons into the discussion and a bit of a random chat about handbags... Enjoy!!

VFM #20: Broadstone’s Simon Kew tells us about Rudy

In this episode, Nico and Darren chat to Broadstone's new head of market engagement, Simon Kew.
As well as the obligatory chat about value for money, we talk about Robin Ellison's call for trade association consolidation, CDC, the revival of annuities and Simon's rescue greyhound, Rudy.