Jacqueline Heron

Nearly two-thirds of respondents do not know the expected outcome for a lifetime member of their plan. Pension scheme trustees were the most likely to report that they know the expected outcomes for members of their DC Plan, with 51% of this group responding positively. HR and benefits professionals were the least likely with 88% of this group admitting they did not know the expected pension outcome for a lifetime member of their workplace DC pension plan. #DC #Pensions #HR #Benefits Aon’s DC Pension Scheme Survey is now live! Read the survey report: https://aon.io/4dcYCDs

2

AXA Health’s latest UK Mind Health report reveals three key emerging themes. The younger workforce continues to have the highest rates of #loneliness and social isolation, and symptoms of #stress, #anxiety and #depression. To understand more about these emerging trends and what employers can do to step up and respond to evolving needs, join Make A Difference, AXA Health and our panel of experts on Thursday 13th #mentalhealthatwork #employeewellbeing https://lnkd.in/efAtjmqT

5

AXA Health’s latest UK Mind Health report reveals three key emerging themes. The younger workforce continues to have the highest rates of #loneliness and social isolation, and symptoms of #stress, #anxiety and #depression. To understand more about these emerging trends and what employers can do to step up and respond to evolving needs, join Make A Difference, AXA Health and our panel of experts on Thursday 13th #mentalhealthatwork #employeewellbeing https://lnkd.in/efAtjmqT

4

UK employers are increasingly offering insurances and risk-based benefits 📈 This is in response to the continued cost-of-living crisis and increasing strain the public health services are facing. In our latest blog, Chris Read, Head of Group Risk at Benefex, shares insights into these growing trends and how flexibility is key to meeting diverse employee needs – read the blog here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e7Hu42ma #EmployeeBenefits #EmployeeExpectations #EmployeeBenefitsStrategy 

16

An interesting read - with one section very pertinent to #hpe #pre1997pensions From the document below …….We recommend that DWP and TPR explore ways to ensure that scheme members’ reasonable expectations for benefit enhancement are met, particularly where there has been a history of discretionary increases. Discretionary increases are particularly important for some scheme members with rights built up before 1997, where their scheme rules do not provide a right to indexation. In some cases, scheme members told us they had not had an increase for some years, resulting in a substantial erosion of their living standards. We recommend that TPR undertake research to understand the extent of the problem.

3

Remember laughing freely? Want to feel that lightness again? I've been down that road where laughter seemed a distant memory. Here's how I found my way back to joy. The Challenges I Faced: 🔥 The realisation that I couldn't remember the last time I laughed genuinely and without care. 🔥 The sorrow of missing out on joyous moments because of being caught up in stress and worries. 🔥 The longing to reconnect with my lighter, more carefree self but not knowing where to start. What I Did to Overcome the Challenge: 🟢 Made a conscious effort to find humour in daily life, even small things. 🟢 Spending quality time with people who uplift me and make me laugh. 🟢 Practicing gratitude by acknowledging one thing that brought me joy or made me smile at the end of each day. Much love and peace, Stephen. PS: Joy is all around us, sometimes in the smallest moments. It’s okay to seek it out actively.

7

🌟 Maximise Your Leadership Development Budget in Challenging Times 🌟 With the rise in employers’ National Insurance contributions, many organisations are re-assessing their budgets and seeking smarter, more cost-effective ways to invest in their people. Yet cutting back on leadership development now could leave teams without the skills needed to navigate uncertainty and drive future growth. A practical solution? The VB Leadership Lab series. This focused, high-impact programme delivers accessible, quality leadership training without the high costs often associated with traditional courses. By choosing the VB Leadership Lab, you’ll ensure your leaders are equipped with the insights, skills, and confidence to lead through change—all while keeping costs under control. Discover how the VB Leadership Lab series can sustainably support your team's growth at www.vbleadershiplab.co.uk. 💡 #LeadershipDevelopment #VBLeadershipLab #CostEffectiveTraining #FutureLeaders #TeamGrowth

1

What is next for Employee Benefits in Scotland? Get ready for our 5 part podcast series with Saba Haran, Director, Employee Benefits and Pensions in Scotland and Andy Roddie, Client Director. Together, they'll discuss the key themes and findings from our latest research report on Employee Benefits in Scotland. Essential listening for all Scottish businesses and their HR teams! Watch the short video here to find out more about the podcast series: https://hubs.li/Q02QC1Kk0 #EmployeeBenefits #EmployeeWellbeing

16

Part-Qualified Pensions Actuaries – there is still time to secure a new role before the end of the year.   We have just over 5 weeks remaining, but that's plenty of time. How will it work in reality? ▪ Day 1 – Get in touch with me for an exploratory conversation. Learn about the opportunities available at your level, and agree on a plan of action. ▪ Day 2 - If using a CV, perhaps 24 hours for you to polish it up and send it over. But if you have 3+ years' experience at a good consultancy, a CV may not be needed. I would then speak with the relevant companies on your behalf. ▪ Day 3-5 - allow 1-3 days for interviews to be requested, and a little time to book in your meetings. ▪ Week 2 - First stage interviews with a choice of online or in-person. ▪ Week 3 - Complete any 2nd stage interviews and receive offers.    Some of the above can happen more quickly (a second stage isn’t always required for example) or more slowly depending on diaries. But you can certainly receive offers within 3 weeks and be in a position to accept and resign on a similar timescale.   So don’t put things off until the New Year – you know how busy you’re going to be in Jan! And in Feb... and the exams... #pensions #actuaries #actuarial #hiring #somethingdifferent

2

Are you a professional business mentor? Then you recognise the importance of safeguarding your valuable expertise and mentoring practice. That's why we are closely working with our partner, WESTMINSTER INSURANCE LTD, to connect you with an insurance provider that provides tailored insurance solutions, so you can focus on mentoring with confidence, knowing you're protected from unexpected obstacles. ABM members receive an exclusive discount on their Professional Indemnity Insurance with Westminster Insurance – which is a requirement for ABM membership. Discover more information about this partnership here 👇 https://lnkd.in/gNmKDgx3 #ABM #BusinessMentoring #BusinessMentorsUK #Mentoring #BusinessInsurance #BusinessStrategy #BusinessGrowth #SmallBusinessGrowth

7

What is next for Employee Benefits in Scotland? Get ready for our 5 part podcast series with Saba Haran, Director, Employee Benefits and Pensions in Scotland and Andy Roddie, Client Director. Together, they'll discuss the key themes and findings from our latest research report on Employee Benefits in Scotland. Essential listening for all Scottish businesses and their HR teams! Watch the short video here to find out more about the podcast series: https://hubs.li/Q02QC1Kk0 #EmployeeBenefits #EmployeeWellbeing

8

Could peer-to-peer support and CEO coaching transform your business? Find out how Vistage UK are supporting and guiding SME leaders to make better decisions, leading to better results, on the ITN Business Hub: https://lnkd.in/e3uAvGwG #CEO #CEOCoaching #SME #Sustainable #Economy #Vistage

11

1 Comment

📢 Webinar Tomorrow: Key Future Changes to Pensions Join our expert-led webinar tomorrow at 10am. Expect practical, forward-looking actions you can take to adapt pensions and broader financial benefits to match changing workforce demographics. Register now 👉 https://lnkd.in/ebMxjD6j Reward & Employee Benefits Association (REBA) #Pensions #FinancialWellbeing #EmployeeBenefits #EmployeeEngagement

12

2 Comments

🌟 Maximise Your Leadership Development Budget in Challenging Times 🌟 With the rise in employers’ National Insurance contributions, many organisations are re-assessing their budgets and seeking smarter, more cost-effective ways to invest in their people. Yet cutting back on leadership development now could leave teams without the skills needed to navigate uncertainty and drive future growth. A practical solution? The VB Leadership Lab series. This focused, high-impact programme delivers accessible, quality leadership training without the high costs often associated with traditional courses. By choosing the VB Leadership Lab, you’ll ensure your leaders are equipped with the insights, skills, and confidence to lead through change—all while keeping costs under control. Discover how the VB Leadership Lab series can sustainably support your team's growth at www.vbleadershiplab.co.uk. 💡 #LeadershipDevelopment #VBLeadershipLab #CostEffectiveTraining #FutureLeaders #TeamGrowth

9

🖥️ The Rise of Remote Insurance Training 🖥️ In her latest article, Jane Carr, our Training Delivery Director at Zing365, explores the transformative shift in insurance Learning & Development (L&D) caused by the rise of remote work. Jane highlights the key challenges facing the industry today—from keeping employees engaged in virtual training, ensuring compliance, to onboarding new hires remotely. But she doesn’t stop there—she also offers practical solutions to build a future-ready workforce. As remote work becomes a permanent fixture in the insurance world, it’s essential to invest in innovative L&D strategies that not only keep teams engaged but also compliant and adaptable. Get in touch to find out how Zing365 - Learning without limits can help! Read Jane’s full article below to learn how to future-proof your team! ⬇️ #Insurance #RemoteLearning #LandD #Zing365 #TrainingAndDevelopment #Compliance #ContinuousLearning #FutureOfWork

7

From 6 April 2028, the NMPA is increasing to age 57. On hearing this, you might think two things: - It's happening in 2028, so this sounds like more of a 2027 problem. There's more than enough going on now to keep us busy - We've dealt with an NMPA increase before. We can copy and paste what we did the last time and update some dates Both are reasonable conclusions, but unfortunately, both are incorrect. There's work that needs to be done now to prepare for the changes or more accurately, should have started in November 2021. There are also some subtle differences between the last NMPA increase and the one due in 2028, which means a different approach may be required. PASA - Pensions Administration Standards Association CIC has released some guidance on how to prepare for the change. Have a look and see what the Industry Policy Committee think you should be considering.

15

🎙️ If you want to create powerful change through your leadership, you must not only be prepared to take action but also to get into the arena and be ready to get into good trouble. 💬 As they say, fortune favors the bold, so stand up for your values no matter what. Use your light to illuminate the path for others, build your community, and be strategic with your actions. 💡 Stay humble and learn from every lesson. Be the forever student of your life because the day you say, "I know everything," you become obsolete. Surround yourself with like-minded people of diverse expertise who lift you up and complement the skills you haven't developed yet. Thank you Kelly Lundberg 🍋 for being a part of the best chapter of my life. 🏥 In the realm of healthcare and nursing leadership, these principles are crucial. By embracing bold, value-driven leadership, we can create meaningful change and improve the wellbeing of both our teams and our patients. 🎙️ Listen to the full episode https://lnkd.in/dEzUeGWy. #BoldLeadership #HealthcareLeadership #MentallyAgileLeadership #CoachingInHealthcare #ThrivingTogether #NursingLeadership #NurseWellness #WellnessWarriors #Podcast #ProfessionalGrowth #CommunityBuilding #LifelongLearning #Vulnerability #Humility #Gratitude

15

4 Comments

How does a potential increase in National Insurance contribution impact businesses and employees? The hint given by Rt Hon Rachel Reeves of a potential increase in National Insurance contributions (NICs) for employers in the UK comes at a challenging time. This change coincides with the 27th consecutive month of declining #job vacancies, signaling a tough hiring environment. For businesses, this means facing higher costs while struggling to attract new talent—a double challenge that demands careful navigation. With fewer opportunities to expand teams, companies must turn to improving individual productivity among their current workforce. However, there’s a critical caveat: increased pressure to boost #productivity can negatively impact employees' well-being and mental health if not done correctly. As demands on workers intensify, #burnout becomes a real risk. Leaders need to ensure that productivity initiatives are balanced with support for mental health and #worklifebalance. The good news is that contrary to popular belief, "Productivity inspires happiness." (Avilio Group Time Master Programme 2020) Investing in #training, providing clear objectives, and maintaining open communication channels can help. Building a culture where employees feel valued and supported can go a long way in fostering sustainable productivity gains without sacrificing #wellbeing. (And even improving it!) Ultimately, the key for businesses is finding the right balance between driving productivity and preserving the health and morale of their teams. While the economic environment is challenging, companies that prioritise both will be better positioned to navigate the road ahead.

2