In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico take a deep dive into the Government's proposals for 'at retirement' only CDC. What is the Government proposing and will it become a new norm of pension provision?    We also discuss a few news items that have been on our list to cover, including: the sale of Cushon by Natwest, the consultation on professional trustee companies and recent ABI stats on investment in private markets.

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to defined contribution and financial wellbeing consultant, Hymans' James Smith. We spend a lot of the podcast focusing on James' blueprint for pensions reform - Retirement Reimagined - which is co-authored in a personal capacity with Alexandra Miles. We discuss and debate many of the ideas in the paper, including changes to the state pension, the creation of a Universal Employment Pension, the use of CDC, and sidecar savings... all with the aim of delivering better retirement outcomes for normal people. Massive hats off to James and Alexandra for committing their own time and resource to this - it's a fab read! We also, of course, find out how James got into pensions and ask what value for money means to him.

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Nico and Darren reflect on the Pensions UK's 2025 Annual Conference that took place in Manchester between the 14th-16th October. In a surprisingly short episode (it's amazing how a hard stop for a meeting focuses the minds), as well as reflecting on the nature of the conference we discuss a few of the themes that made the news, not least the Pensions Minister's session with questions on mandation and the announcement of a new consultation on the future of Professional Trusteeship.

In this episode of V-FM, hosts Darren and Nico chat to Pensions and Investments International News Editor, Sophie Baker. Sophie has had an amazing career in pensions journalism and also is Programme Director and Chair of the World Pensions Summit. In an investment heavy episode, we discuss PGGM's recent major portfolio overhaul, where they shifted from passive to active investing (reducing their investment universe from 3,500 stocks to 800), equally weighting return, risk, and sustainability in their decision-making process. We also chatted about how partnerships are emerging globally to institutionalise retail access to private markets and discuss progress so far (or the lack of it) with UK pension fund investment into venture capital. We take a look forward to the upcoming World Pensions Summit that is taking place in The Hague on 4-6 November 2025. In breaking news, we also announce that your hosts will attending the conference and interviewing some of the speakers. And, of course, we find out how Sophie got into pensions and journalism, and find out what value for money means to her.

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to Broadstone's Dave Brooks. As well as having an illustrious career in pensions admin and consultancy, Dave talks about how it nearly 'made it' (or not) in the world of music.  We chat tax free cash and the upcoming Budget, consistency of language used in pensions communications and the Pension Commission. We also find out how Dave got into pensions and, of course, find out what value for money means to him.

After an unexpected break last week due to illness, this episode of V-FM Pensions restarts the new season of the podcast with hosts Darren and Nico talking about the Pension Scheme's Bill Committee Stage, productive finance and investing in the UK, Behind Login's app rating assessment, and LCP research highlighting the significant assets under control by 4 professional trustee companies.... We didn't even have time to discuss Trump's appearance at the UN... Normal service resumed next week, subject to being fit and healthy....

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, Darren and Nico are back from an extended summer break when Nico became a father for the first time. As well as catching up and talking about the real reason Thomas is named Thomas (and Nico's most successful Linkedin post ever!), the duo talk about what's in store for V-FM this autumn and chew the cud on the Pensions Commission, the upcoming Budget and the Pensions Bill.

In this bumper episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to former MP and Pensions Minister Guy Opperman. This is an episode that covers everything: horse racing, politics, Government, pensions and policy. And, of course, we ask Guy what value for money means to him!

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to Smart Pension's Director of Investment Proposition, James Lawrence. We chat about: what's going on in the world and what it means for investment; Baroness Altmann's ideas for linking tax relief to investing in the UK; Smart's investment in green bonds and its approach to zero cost investing; the Pension Schemes Bill and the challenges of balancing long-term societal benefits with financial returns in pension investments; CDC and decumulation; ...and a whole lot more! We also find out how James got into pensions, and, of course, what value for money means to him.

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to Global Fund Search's Head of UK, Kris Shergold. Another wide-ranging episode, where, as well as discussing what value for money to Kris, we chat about: Electricity generation and the state of the grid Value for money from the Office of Value for Money... Scottish Widows reducing it's UK equity allocation, and Aviva CEO warning that mandating pension investments in UK assets is ‘not the right thing’ Proposals to amend fiduciary duty Nest's retirement blueprint and deferred annuities Enjoy!

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to pensions goth and research guru, Daniela Silcock about all things pensions. As well as talking about what value for money means to Daniela, we discuss: politics, pensions and winter fuel payments; the politics of DC pension allocation building on research Daniela has just conducted on behalf the the DCIF; developments in the 'at retirement' market and a whole lot more.... enjoy!

In this episode of V-FM Pensions hosts Nico and Darren chat to the CEO of the Money and Pensions Service, Oliver Morley, and Ellen Quigley from the University of Cambridge. This is part two of the podcast recorded 'on the road' at the PMI Annual Conference.

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico interview some amazing speakers at the PMI's Annual Conference. Part one covers interviews with PMI CEO, Gareth Tancred, and the PPF's Michelle Osterman and Kate Jones. Part two covers interviews with MAPS' Oliver Morley and Ellen Quigley from the University of Cambridge.

In this V-FM Pensions special, hosts Nico and Darren discuss the outcome of the Government's Pensions and Investment Review phase 1. Tune in to hear about what the review had to say and also hear the hosts' views on what's hot, what's not, and what's still just simply confusing....

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to Guiide Founder and CEO Kevin Hollister. Not surprisingly, this is a decumulation-heavy episode with Kevin using the opportunity to talk about a new Guiide D2C proposition that has just been launched with the aim of helping people achieve sustainable retirement outcomes. We also chat a lot about how to help people manage their money in retirement and, of course, defaults vs engagement, as well as the FCA's advice/guidance regulatory boundary. We cover the Pensions Investment Review (watch out for the special incoming...), consumer satisfaction with pension transfers, and, of course, find out what value for money means to Kevin. Enjoy!

In this episode of VFM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to Eversheds Sutherland's Partner and Head of DC, Michael Jones, about all things value for money. Michael has the honour(?) of being the first actively practicing pensions lawyer on the podcast and he timed his appearance perfectly being a Spurs fan (recording the morning after a lucky Europa Cup win...) As well as finding out how Michael got into pensions and what value for money means to him, we have a wide-ranging discussion covering: Recent statements from the Pensions Minister concerning DB Surpluses The latest WPI report on scale and independence Angela Rayner's proposed tax hikes - will we / won't we see the reintroduction of the Lifetime Allowance? Pension investment and fiduciary duty The use and evolution of AI in pensions And a crowd funding campaign seeking a KC opinion on the retrospective nature of the Government making DC pensions subject to IHT. Enjoy!  

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to XPS' Head of DC Investments Mark Searle. As well as finding out what value for money means to Mark and how he got into the pensions industry we, of course, kick off by talking about the gig news of the week, the Mansion House Accord. We also chat pensions adequacy, at retirement solutions and investing in the US. Enjoy!

In this episode of V-FM pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to Fidelity International's James Monk. As well as finding out what value for money means to James and how he got into pensions, the wide-ranging discussions covers: Mansion House and local investing, and a general discussion about UK economic developments; Trump's crypto play; TPT's announcement that it is planning to introduce multi-employer CDC; a report from the SPP urging savers not to panic; and the pros and cons of life vs custody platforms. Listen to hear all this and more!  

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico spend time reflecting on some of the key pension and investment topics of the moment, building on comments from guests over the last few episodes. We chat about Tony Blair's latest comments on climate change, the latest gossip about the next iteration of Mansion House and productive finance, assessing value for money by scratching the ITCH, next steps for collective defined contribution schemes, and a whole lot more... We also get an update on Nico's injury woes and Nico shares some amazing news!

In this episode of V-FM Pensions hosts Nico and Darren chat with the Chair of Pan Trustees, Steve Delo. Steve is a Trustee on many schemes and was chair of the People's Pension for 10 years from its inception (he had the pleasure of working closely with the podcast hosts for a good few years). We take a trip down memory lane discussing some historical pensions issues that schemes and trustees are still grappling with, focussing on the complexity of administration and data. We also chat about Steve's time at the People's Pension and some of the challenges in providing pensions at scale, the DWP announcement confirming its solution to deal with small pension pots, and the fiduciary challenges and lack of clear guidance on assessing and addressing climate risks in pension schemes. We also find out how Steve got into pensions and, of course, find out what value for money means to him. Enjoy!