Now in its third series, the Burges Salmon Pensions Pod has been a fantastic way to hear from experts across the pensions industry as well as from different teams within Burges Salmon. 

Whether listening to something focussed on a particular topic… or to one of our regular “news round-ups”… there is something for everyone (both trustees and employers).

We hope our clients like the bitesize format and the conversational style.

As we are already halfway through the series, let’s take a look at what's been going on so far.

Episode 1 - What’s on the pensions agenda for trustees and employers in 2023?

• In our first episode of this season, I and my co-host Helen Cracknell looked ahead at what developments 2023 will bring to the pensions industry. We were joined by Rebecca Peake, Senior Consultant at Aon, to talk about dashboards – particularly from the member’s perspective.
  
  
• Rebecca shared three key points for trustees:
  1. Getting data ready;
  2. Reviewing communications; and
  3. Using dashboards as an opportunity to get individuals engaged in pensions.
     
     
• This episode is worth a recap to make sure these areas are being covered in Q2 agendas.

Episode 2 - What’s the latest on the revised DB pensions funding code?

• We were joined by Paul Houghton, Partner and actuary at Barnett Waddingham, for our second episode to discuss the consultation on the draft funding code of practice for defined benefit (DB) pension schemes. The deadline for responses is 24 March 2023.
  
  
• We broke down some of the key concepts and also discussed the interaction between the draft code and the regulations (and whether anything might change in either document).
  
  
• Whether you know a little or a lot about the funding changes, there should be something for you in this wide ranging discussion.
  
  
  

Episode 3 - Why is equality, diversity and inclusion important in the pensions landscape?

• Richard Pettit, a partner in our pensions team who is also a member of The Pensions Regulator’s Industry Working Group for EDI, and Charlotte Osmond, a senior associate in our pensions team joined us for our third episode to discuss the importance of inclusion in the context of pension scheme members and ways for trustees to promote EDI.
  
  
• We looked at practical steps for trustees and it was interesting that many of the things that can be done to promote EDI are straightforward and common sense.
  
  
• Charlotte shared some useful examples of simple steps that trustee boards can take, including considering when and where trustee meetings are held; as well as creating an environment where everyone’s views are heard at meetings.
  
  
• We covered a lot of ground including why EDI is important (and also ice cream and sharks!)
  
  

We are looking forward to the next half of the series, in which we will continue to consider more topical issues impacting on the pensions world.

Stay tuned for our next episode (out 28 February 2023) where we welcome our Pensions trainee solicitors; Shannon Willett, Lydia Morris, Emily Fox, Katy Dixon and Scarlett Sullivan to discuss the latest hot pensions news topics in the pensions world.

You can listen to all of our episodes here.

Helen and I would welcome all feedback and if you are interested in a topic (or even being the special guest on a future episode!) please get in touch with either of us.

This blog was written by Emily Fox (trainee solicitor), Helen Cracknell (Associate) and Chris Brown (Director) – all in the pensions team at Burges Salmon.