So the Govt's attempt to force pension trustees to invest (our) pensions in light of state priorities (i.e. more UK-based investments made by UK pension schemes) has been defeated in the Lords.... for the pretty obvious reason that this would badly compromise the fiduciary duties of trustees towards members of pensions schemes.

But, Labour has pledged to try & get a similar measure back into the pensions bill in some way;

they've got their eyes on (y)our pension.

#pensions #politics
h/t FT

@ChrisMayLA6 Another item on the list of "why see how other countries deal with it if we can create our own bodge job"?

Pensions in the UK aren't pensions (in the sense they provide a monthly income until you die), they are savings accounts, and treated as such.

A real pension fund should do the same as a state pension: you pay in, and get an income in return. Some get less then they paid in, some get more.

@wanwizard @ChrisMayLA6 State pension in the UK in fact doesn't work like that. When you "pay in" you are supporting existing pensioners. When you reach the age to draw your pension it is paid for by taxpayers at that time. There is no such thing as a "pension pot" for UK State pensions. Hence the problem in that the taxpaying base is decreasing while numbers of pensioners are increasing. When the system was designed life expectancy was very much shorter.

@annehargreaves @wanwizard

yes sorry should have made clear the previous reply was about private pensions where the trustees have responsibility for investments - the UK's state pension, as you note, is not funded, other than via current taxation