Pensions Perspectives

Our annual DC Pensions and Savings Survey is fantastic for identifying new industry trends and this year's was no exception. One area of particular interest is that there is a clear desire from employers to either support or take a lead role in helping their employees with their financial wellbeing, whereas, in contrast to this, 53% think that what they're doing currently is ineffective. There's great reason to try to do more here, given money worries can be such a drain on employees, leading to poorer performance, absenteeism and higher employee turnover. So, we invited experts Simon Davidge and Steph Parton-Corr onto the podcast to unpack what's going on and the first steps you can take to boost your employee value proposition in this area. If you liked episode 17 (Pensions is only part of the puzzle: Supporting an evolving membership), then this is definitely another one you'll enjoy!

In this episode, we refer to WTW's 2026 DC Pensions and Savings Survey and our 2026 Global Benefits Attitudes Survey.

In this episode of the Pensions Perspectives Podcast, host Luna Fadayel is joined by David Walmsley of The Pensions Regulator, Jenny Gibbons (Governance consulting lead at WTW) and Hazel Kendrick, co-author of WTW's In Good Hands survey (Professional Trustee Survey 2026), to explore how trusteeship is evolving across the UK pensions landscape. Together, they discuss whether the growth of professional trusteeship is improving governance, what truly makes a high-performing trustee board, and how technology and AI may reshape the role of trustees in the years ahead. Above all, the conversation explores a simple but important question: what will it take to ensure pension schemes remain in good hands for members?

Income investing has traditionally been associated with a narrow range of assets, but is that approach still fit for purpose? Sophie Tennison is joined by Ben Johnson and Chris Thompson to discuss why investors should focus on delivering resilient income rather than simply maximising today's cashflows, and how a Total Portfolio Approach can help achieve better long-term outcomes. They also explore the practical steps trustees can take to build more diversified, adaptable and objective-driven. To find out how you can rethink income investing, read our recent article.

In this Pensions Perspectives podcast episode, host Sophie Tennison is joined by Helen Perrin, Head of Financial Planning at WTW, to discuss why pensions should be viewed as just one part of a member's wider financial wellbeing journey. Together, they explore how trustees and employers can better support members through financial education, guidance and access to advice, while helping individuals navigate increasingly complex financial decisions throughout their lives.

What happens when you revisit your market forecasts after six months of relentless headlines? In this episode, Tessa Mann and Rhys Simons look back at the views they shared in their Global Investment Outlook 2026 and assess how those predictions have held up. Together, they discuss what played out as expected, what caught them off guard and how everything from geopolitical developments to the rise of AI-driven markets has influenced the investment landscape so far this year. Guided by listener questions, the discussion looks beyond the headlines to examine what really matters for long-term investors and what trustees should be watching as the rest of 2026 unfolds.

for monthly updates about market moves, check out our Global Markets Overview

Longevity swaps have traditionally only been accessible to the UK's largest pension schemes. Not anymore. Our host Howard Johnson is joined by Rhys Mellens, Senior Director, Pensions Risk Transfer, to discuss why attractive pricing, growing market capacity and WTW's new Longevity Stream solution are making longevity risk transfer a realistic option for more schemes. Whether you're targeting buyout or running on, this is a conversation worth listening to.

Register for our upcoming "Pension Risk Transfer in Focus" event on 6 October.

In this episode of Pensions Perspectives, Harsimar Atwal is joined by David Hoile, Head of Asset Research at WTW, and Marisa Hall, Head of the Thinking Ahead Institute, to explore whether AI represents a transformational investment opportunity or a growing source of systemic risk.

In this Pensions Perspectives podcast episode, Luna Fadayel speaks to superfunds specialist Ashu Bhargava, about whether superfunds are still a niche option or whether they are becoming more mainstream in the conversation around endgame.

In this episode of our Pensions Perspectives Podcast Series, host Luna Fadayel shares a discussion between WTW's Jenny Gibbons and Law Debenture's Natalie Winterfrost on governance at endgame. Covering buyout, surplus and run-on scenarios, they explore how decision-making changes as schemes mature, and what trustees need in place to navigate high-stakes, often irreversible decisions. Practical insights on board structure, conflicts and planning ahead bring the challenges of good governance into sharp focus.

Howard Johnson, Senior Director - Retirement Actuarial at WTW, speaks to WTW's valuation and covenant specialists Billy Weir and Helena Mules about how the new funding regime is affecting actuarial valuations. Many schemes are yet to go through their first actuarial valuation under the new regime so, if you are a trustee or sponsor of a DB pension scheme, please join us to understand the key features of the new regime and lessons learned from early valuations, so you can make your upcoming valuation a success.