On July 9, 2024, Ireland enacted the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Act. Starting in 2025, employees and employers will each contribute 1.5% of gross earnings, with a 2% state top-up. Contributions will increase triennially, reaching 6% from employees and employers, plus 2% from the State by 2034. This scheme is more ambitious than the UK's, aiming to bolster retirement savings.

Nest has launched its "Nest Pensions" mobile app for iOS, providing members with access to pension details, contribution breakdowns, and personal management features, with Android support and enhancements forthcoming.

The Pensions Dashboards Programme's 10th update outlines progress with 20 volunteer participants on connection testing and the MoneyHelper dashboard's service assessment ahead of public release.

The Pensions Dashboards Programme has published updated reporting standards, outlining data requirements for providers, ensuring security, performance tracking, and regulatory compliance for pensions dashboards.

The Pensions Ombudsman plans to reduce its case backlog within three years, with improvements in 12-18 months. Key changes include tighter Resolution Team conditions, expedited determinations, and refining thresholds for accepting complaints to enhance efficiency and decision-making.

The Pensions Regulator plans a prudential-style approach to oversee growing master trusts, emphasizing investments, data quality, trusteeship, and innovation to manage systemic risks and align with Mansion House reforms.

On October 22, 2024, the Regulator unveiled its five-year digital, data, and technology strategy aimed at enhancing pension schemes by reducing burdens, improving risk targeting through innovative data collection, and fostering market competition with AI-driven insights for better member protection.

The Pensions (Special Rules for End of Life) Bill, introduced on October 21, 2024, proposes extending the terminal illness definition for PPF and FAS compensation claims to less than 12 months to live, aligning with registered pension scheme rules.

The PPF will allow actuaries to use bespoke discount rates for s.143 valuations of pension schemes with liabilities under £50 million, addressing overfunding concerns. Effective for valuations from May 31, 2024, this excludes s.179 valuations.

Royal Mail Group has confirmed that the Royal Mail Collective Pension Plan will launch as the UK's first collective defined contribution plan on October 7, 2024.

The FCA's CP24/2, Part 2 consultation revises its controversial "name and shame" enforcement proposals, incorporating feedback and offering clearer decision-making guidelines. Additionally, PMB 52 emphasizes timely disclosure of inside information and issuer compliance

The FCA will consult on targeted pension support and new consumer investment rules, aiming to close the advice gap, boost confidence, and foster economic growth through healthy investment culture.

Jonathan Herbst, Global Head of Financial Services and Glenn Hall, Head Government Relations and Public Policy and former Special Adviser to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (2016-2018)...

In the latest Global Regulation Tomorrow Plus episode, Matthew Gregory, Joe Bamford and Simon Lovegrove discuss some of the key issues concerning HM Treasury's recent consultation on regulating the buy now pay later sector.

The latest *Global Regulation Tomorrow Plus* podcast explores key issues surrounding the UK payment for order flow regime, featuring insights from Jonathan Herbst, Hannah Meakin, and Anita Edwards.

In our latest Global Regulation Tomorrow Plus podcast, Jonathan Herbst and Glen Hall discuss what it is like for a new government taking office and, from a financial services perspective, some of the key points...

The FCA's Market Watch 81 emphasizes rigorous governance in transaction reporting, urging firms to enhance documentation, balance internal expertise, and adopt dynamic controls to meet compliance expectations effectively.

In the first episode of Risks Redefined, Hannah Meakin and Haney Saadah discuss the UK general election's impact on firms' compliance, focusing on pre-election preparations and implications of various potential outcomes.

In our latest Global Regulation Tomorrow Plus podcast, Partner Matthew Gregory and Senior Associate Joe Bamford share their thoughts on the FCA's recently launched call for input on its review of its requirements following the introduction of the Consumer Duty.

Our people and some of their families reflect on what the month means to them, discussing generational differences growing up and the importance of telling our own stories. In our words.