Pensions Expert

An unnamed pension scheme has allocated £1.5m to bitcoin – the first time a UK scheme has invested in the cryptocurrency. ow.ly/3UVK50U1Zzs

Amid widespread industry debate on consolidation and the benefits of insourcing and outsourcing, Railpen’s Jack Crawley explains how the £34bn scheme internalised its trading function. ow.ly/tuuA50U1Zyo

NatWest has insured approximately a third of its pension scheme through multiple buy-ins with Rothesay Life. ow.ly/qNsh50U1ZwR

Plus: Pension Insurance Corporation backs £54m housing venture, and M&G launches asset-backed securities fund. ow.ly/sIfM50U1Zvt

Independent pensions dashboards consultant Richard Smith continues his series of monthly case studies looking at how providers are preparing for the connection deadlines. ow.ly/PbtS50U1ZtQ

Investors have praised the government’s promised boost to UK investment but urged it to focus on creating opportunities, following this week’s Budget announcements. ow.ly/CGnp50TXib2

Fixed income experts have downplayed gilt market volatility during and after the Budget announcement yesterday, as chancellor Rachel Reeves announced significant taxation and spending plans. ow.ly/6zg150TXi70

Members of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme will receive a bonus payment of almost a third of their regular pension income after the government confirmed it will transfer a reserve fund’s assets to the trustees. ow.ly/7zb050TXhTU

While chancellor Rachel Reeves opted against introducing some of the more radical changes to pension tax speculated on before the Budget, decisions announced today will still have implications for schemes, administrators and pensioners. ow.ly/jbfi50TXhPV

We need an alternative to DC for a dignified retirement, former general secretary of the Communication Workers Union warns ow.ly/giIp50TQvwT

Master trusts believe more support from both the government and the asset management industry is needed to invest in productive finance. ow.ly/u99550TQuM7

Trustees have been urged to use their dashboard connection date as the first in a series of triggers that need close attention as the tool continues to evolve. ow.ly/cojE50TQuKO

The UK’s pension system has lost its top-10 position among global retirement systems, according to the latest Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index. ow.ly/OwYq50TQuJM

The government has reportedly shelved plans to overhaul the system of tax relief on pension contributions given the impact on public sector workers. ow.ly/h7RB50TGsPf

Mercer, Fidelity International, Penny and Pension Lab have joined the Pensions Dashboard Operators Coalition, bringing its total membership to 14. ow.ly/3FwV50TGsO3

Royal Mail has officially opened its collective defined contribution (CDC) scheme to members. ow.ly/V4Er50TGsMe

Essex, Sutton, West Midlands and Border to Coast were among the big winners at last night’s LAPF Investments Awards. ow.ly/gaPh50TEf2F

The Association of Member Nominated Trustees (AMNT) has raised concerns about a perceived lack of governance regarding the sole trustee model. ow.ly/QmrZ50TBXpT

One of the bulk annuity sector’s newest entrants has completed its first two transactions with external pension schemes, worth a combined £130m. ow.ly/6eQx50TBXp5

The development of the pensions dashboards ecosystem is on track to be ready for the first connection deadlines in April 2025. ow.ly/W5Nu50TBXo9