Audit standard FRS17 may have become the accepted measure by which many pension liabilities are calculated, but firms must recognise its flaws before blindly believing the figures it throws up.

Actuarial and consultancy firm Spence & Partners says financial directors need to fully understand and question the results provided to them and make sure they are fully aware of the corporate impact. Read more »

Posted in: Media Releases
Tags: Actuarial, Corporate, Pensions

In its response to the Deregulatory Review the Government has sought views on proposals to reduce the cap on revaluation of deferred benefits for pension rights accrued on or after a future date from 5% to 2.5%.

“This move goes against the recommendations of the review” said Brian Spence, director of pensions on divorce specialists Spence & Partners “and is clearly designed to see if it can reduce the entrenched trend of final salary schemes closing.” Read more »

Posted in: Media Releases
Tags: Divorce, Pensions

The requirements for trustees to ensure that arrangements are in place, and implemented, that provide for at least one-third of trustees or at least one-third of directors of the trustee company to be member-nominated, start to apply from what is known as the ‘commencement date’. Read more »

Posted in: Media Releases
Tags: Corporate, Pensions, Professional Trustees, Trusteeship

Do it yourself is supposed to be cheap, but taking this approach to final salary pension schemes may end up costing firms a lot more than they realise.

On the back of recent cases such as Trustee Solutions Ltd and others v Dubery and Sovereign Trustees Limited v Glover and others, the potential pitfalls of eschewing professional advice and administering a scheme incorrectly are fast becoming clear. Read more »

Posted in: Media Releases
Tags: Administration, Corporate, Legislation, Pensions, Trusteeship

Belfast and Glasgow-based actuaries Spence & Partners is moving into larger office premises in both Belfast and Glasgow to accommodate further growth.

In Belfast the firm has moved its head office further along the same street, from 128a Great Victoria Street to Chamber of Commerce House, 22 Great Victoria Street to help meet existing business requirements and its continuing development plans. Read more »

Posted in: Media Releases
Tags: Corporate, Pensions

Final salary pension schemes may have come in for a hard time in recent years, but the employers running them are not as mercenary as media reports would suggest.

Many have come under fire for trying to take a hack saw to their liabilities and cut them on the cheap. However actuarial and consultancy firm Spence & Partners says that providing a clear and structured process is followed there is the potential for a significant win-win solution for employers and their staff. Read more »

Posted in: Media Releases
Tags: Actuarial, Corporate, Financial Advisers, Pensions, Professional Trustees, Trusteeship

David Davison, a Director at Spence & Partners, independent actuaries and consultants, has called for a rational debate as to how companies which wish to better manage their final salary pension liabilities engage with their current and former employees.

Said Davison, “There has been a huge amount of hype over recent months, almost wholly negative, about the practice of employers topping up final salary scheme transfer values to allow members to exercise a real choice in relation to their pension benefits. There is scope for a more considered and balanced assessment of the issues. Read more »

Posted in: Media Releases
Tags: Bulk Transfers, Corporate, Pensions, Professional Trustees

In a reversal of the traditional economic relationship between Scotland and Northern Ireland, actuaries Spence & Partners has expanded from its Belfast origins to grab a significant foothold in the Scottish market only two years after opening an office in Glasgow.

Established in 2000 Spence & Partners now employs 18 people in its Belfast head office and 10 in Scotland.  The Glasgow office opened early in 2004 and has grown both its turnover, by about 25% to £2.5 million, and its staff ever since. The firm is presently positioning itself for a further surge in demand for its services with a range of senior appointments. Read more »

Posted in: Media Releases
Tags: Corporate, Pensions, Professional Trustees, Scotland

In a reversal of the traditional economic relationship between Scotland and Northern Ireland, actuaries Spence & Partners has expanded from its Belfast origins to become the largest independent, privately-owned actuarial firm servicing the SME sector in Scotland within two years of opening an office in Glasgow.

Established in 2000, Spence & Partners opened its Glasgow Office in 2004 and has grown both its turnover, to £2.5 million, and its staff ever since. The firm is presently positioning itself for a further surge in demand for its services with a range of senior appointments. Read more »

Posted in: Media Releases
Tags: Corporate, Pensions, Professional Trustees, Scotland