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Latest news, expertise and thought leadership.
Modern trusteeship and the balance between professionalism and diversity
Sharon Bellingham, Master Trust Lead, Scottish Widows
March 2026
The UK pension system is undergoing a period of tremendous change. Greater consolidation into “fewer, bigger, better schemes”, reform momentum through the Pensions Schemes Bill, and an operating environment which is more complex and data-driven than ever are reshaping what it means to be a pension scheme trustee.
Our Robeco sustainable investing partnership: One year on
Eva Cairns, Head of Responsible Investment
March 2026
We’re celebrating a successful year in our partnership with Robeco, a €240bn+ global asset manager and leader in sustainable investing.
The cornerstone of this partnership is the co-development of exclusive ESG‑tilted developed and emerging market equity indices. These underpin growth funds in our new workplace default proposition, Scottish Widows Lifetime Investment.
Market volatility in the wake of conflict in the Middle East
Matt Brennan, Head of Asset Allocation at Scottish Widows
March 2026
The US and Israel have launched airstrikes on Iran, while retaliatory attacks by Iran have hit several countries around the Middle East. As a result of these events, there was a volatile opening for many investment markets in the immediate aftermath, with many equity markets dropping back in the first hours of trading. At the same time, oil and gas prices have soared on fears that supplies may be impacted by shipping disruption in the Persian Gulf.
Unlocking access: How pension funds can secure quality private market investments
Mithesh Varsani, Head of Investment Solutions
February 2026
As pension funds increasingly allocate to private equity, private credit, infrastructure and real assets, the focus shifts from whether to invest in private markets to the more nuanced challenge of how to implement to secure the most attractive opportunities.
2026 Responsible investment trends: navigating opportunities in a shifting landscape
Eva Cairns, Head of Responsible Investment
February 2026
As we enter 2026 following a year of increased polarisation for sustainable finance, the responsible investment landscape continues to evolve and recalibrate. Global economic pressures, political polarisation, and urgent climate realities mean that there’s a growing focus on re-emphasising the commercial drivers and financial materiality of responsible investing.
Sharon Bellingham, Master Trust Lead, Scottish Widows
February 2026
Lessons from authorisation and supervision: a blueprint for change?
Longer-term impact of geopolitical tensions on markets
Heather Coulson, Head of Portfolio Management & Implementation
February 2026
Geopolitical tensions have dominated headlines in early 2026, from US-Europe tariff threats to developments involving Iran, Venezuela and the Arctic region.
2026: Keeping a weather eye on markets
Matt Brennan, Head of Asset Allocation at Scottish Widows
January 2026
Sunny skies or cloudy with a chance of rain? Matt Brennan, Head of Asset Allocation at Scottish Widows, considers some of the broad opportunities and challenges that could potentially impact investment markets in 2026.
Eva Cairns, Head of Responsible Investment
December 2025
Fresh from attending COP30 in Belém, Brazil, our Head of Responsible Investment, Eva Cairns, shares her thoughts on the outcomes of the global climate conference.
Let’s end women’s £113,000 pension penalty
Jill Henderson, Head of Strategic Workplace Relationships
November 2025
Aside from my day job supporting workplace pension clients and members I am driven to support women’s financial empowerment and doing what I can to help effect change.
Whether it’s leading our team at Women in Work events, presenting to business leaders at Google in November, or the release of our 21st Women & Retirement Report just out, supporting women to grow their finances throughout their lives is what I’m most passionate about.
How Pension Engagement Season “sparked a movement”
Jill Henderson, Head of Strategic Workplace Relationships
November 2025
When Pension Engagement Season launched with the ‘Pay Your Pension Some Attention’ campaign, fronted by actor Ross Kemp, it generated more positive media coverage around pensions than I’ve seen in some time.
How can the £160bn pensions schemes surplus be used effectively?
Sharon Bellingham, Master Trust Lead, Scottish Widows
November 2025
Defined Benefit (DB) pension scheme funding levels are at record highs, with three in four schemes now in surplus. Deficit payments have dropped by over £10 billion annually, and the collective deficit has shrunk from £500 billion in 2019 to just £140 billion in 2024.*
Perspectives from the Pensions UK Conference
Jill Henderson, Head of Strategic Workplace Relationships
October 2025
With over 1,400 delegates from across the pensions industry, a diverse line-up of expert speakers, and appearances from current and former Government ministers, the Pensions UK Conference 2025 delivered on every front.
From emissions to alignment: Embedding forward-looking climate metrics
Scottish Widows
October 2025
In this article, we discuss why focusing on forward-looking alignment metrics rather than just backward-looking emissions data is vital to build more resilient portfolios and capture opportunities and explain how Scottish Widows is putting this into practice.
Using capital market assumptions for future-focused investing
Matthew Brennan, Head of Asset Allocation and Research, Scottish Widows
October 2025
In today’s fast-moving financial landscape, it’s easy to get caught up in the headlines – quarterly earnings surprises, political developments, or shifting market sentiment, to name a few. These factors can all affect investment performance in the short term.
How digital innovation is changing pension engagement
Matthew Bailey, Director of EBC Distribution
September 2025
Pension apps, Tik Tok, gamification, open finance – it’s a brave new world of pension engagement.
Navigating the complexities of private market investing
Matthew Bailey, Director of EBC Distribution
September 2025
How workplace pensions can make private market investing work for them.
Assets that could hedge portfolios against higher inflation
Matt Brennan, Head of Asset Allocation, Scottish Widows
September 2025
In the UK, we’ve had a step up in inflation in recent months and there are arguably several issues that could keep inflation elevated over the longer term, including protectionism or geopolitical issues. As we saw back in 2022, prolonged inflationary pressure can lead to higher correlation between equity and bond market performance, with both underperforming.
3-3-3: Can Bessent’s triple play reform the US economy?
Heather Coulson, Head of Portfolio Management, Scottish Widows
September 2025
Scott Bessent, US Treasury Secretary and former hedge fund manager, has touted a “3-3-3” plan – a bold economic strategy aimed at tackling three major areas of the US economy.
Getting to grips with systemic risks
Eva Cairns, Head of Responsible Investment, Scottish Widows
August 2025
New report explores how investors can better identify, understand and tackle systemic risks.
At the heart of reform: The expanding role of master trusts
Sharon Bellingham, Master Trust Lead, Scottish Widows
August 2025
Policy change and redefined workplace pensions
A clearer view of ‘advice gap’ proposals
Pete Glancy, Head of Pensions Policy
July 2025
Advice and Guidance Boundary Review has many complexities to work through.
Let’s talk about the Pensions Bill
Matthew Bailey, Director of EBC Distribution
June 2025
The Pensions Bill is bringing change, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg.
The AI challenge – unpicking risks and opportunities for investors
Eva Cairns, Head of Responsible Investment
June 2025
Widespread use of AI highlights the need for robust governance.
Balancing act: China’s path through policy, property and trade
Scottish Widows
June 2025
There’s much more to China than tariffs, as it navigates wider economic issues.
Government debt in the spotlight
Scottish Widows
June 2025
We consider why government debt levels are so high and what the implications are.
Matt Brennan, Head of Asset Allocation
June 2025
The emerging market (EM) equities region has been a perennial underperformer for many years now. What’s been behind this, and could this situation be set to reverse?
Rethinking regulation: TPR’s evolving model of segmented supervision and innovation
Sharon Bellingham, Master Trust and IGC Lead, Scottish Widows
May 2025
Rethinking regulation: TPR’s evolving model of segmented supervision and innovation.
Pensions are working harder, for longer
Graeme Bold, Managing Director, Pensions and Retirement, Scottish Widows
May 2025
Members’ changing behaviours require a new approach to help their retirement savings last.
How can we offer members better support?
Jerry Butcher, Workplace Savings Director, Scottish Widows
April 2025
When people are struggling, where can they get the right kind of support?
Employees want responsibly invested pensions
Eva Cairns, Head of Responsible Investment
April 2025
Eva Cairns, Head of Responsible Investment, reflects on the findings of our recently published Responsibly Invested Pensions report.
Taking the long view in turbulent times
Matt Brennan, Head of Asset Allocation
April 2025
In the wake of recent market volatility, Matt Brennan, Head of Asset Allocation, takes a look at what’s happening and what it means for investors.
Building a community for DC professionals
Matthew Bailey, Director of EBC Distribution
April 2025
When we decided to run a series of Town Halls for EBCs and pension scheme advisers this year, there were a number of reasons why it made sense.
Matt Brennan, Head of Asset Allocation
March 2025
In this article, Matt Brennan, Head of Asset Allocation, looks at inflation trends and whether these could influence interest rate polices at major central banks.
Leveraging UN Sustainable Development Goals for better outcomes
Eva Cairns, Head of Responsible Investment
March 2025
Good retirement outcomes should not only consider financial return but also what kind of world pension savers will retire into.
Let’s #AccelerateAction this International Women’s Day
Jill Henderson, Head of Business Development
March 2025
It’s known as a celebration of the very best of all things female, but what has International Women’s Day (IWD) on 8 March got to do with money, and pensions for that matter?
FCA targeted support and dashboards promise better outcomes
Pete Glancy, Head of Pensions Policy
February 2025
Proposed reforms could help more people achieve their financial goals.
How Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a ‘game changer’ for pensions
Sharon Bellingham, Master Trust Lead and Scheme Strategist
February 2025
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) is essential for creating fair and sustainable pension systems. But when it comes to implementing DE&I strategies, there is little in the way of accessible support available for trustees to help bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Pension dashboards answer the big questions
Robert Cochran, Innovation & Engagement Specialist
February 2025
How will the pension dashboard revolutionise pension savers experience?
Matthew Brennan, Head of Asset Allocation and Research
February 2025
Will interest rate reductions continue, and can US technology stocks still dominate?
December
Route to ‘fewer, bigger, better pension schemes’
Together, we can close the gender pension gap
November
Master trusts and the secondary market
The US presidential election: what could it mean for stock markets?
October
Halloween howlers: 7 ways to make pensions less ‘scary’
Rising to the pension engagement challenge
Why what happens in the US matters for pension scheme members
September
It’s not just about climate - tackling social risk in investments
The power of engaging with companies we invest in
August
Retirement Report reveals extent of pension challenge
July
Addressing the Decumulation Dilemma
Bringing diversity equity and inclusion to life
June
How can AE 2.0 accommodate low earners?
“Blown away”: how data, tech and AI are transforming pensions
Small scheme decline and consolidation dominate TPR’s DC report
May
Can Lucky Penny Day inspire saving habits?
Responsible investment fitted as standard
Getting ready for the future of pensions
April
Weighing up the lifetime provider model
March
The inside story on scams and scammers
How to beat the £100k gender pension gap
5 big things members ask us about pensions
January
December
Big changes - and more to come
November
Take a look in the Pension Mirror
Let’s make retirement better for women
Membership survey gives us valuable insights
October
Are you ready for auto enrolment reform?
Ensuring equality, diversity, and inclusion – The role of trustees
September
7 ways to boost pension engagement
Putting the buzz into Pension Awareness
August
Why equality, diversity and inclusion in pensions matter
We need to do more to help savers
July
Consumer Duty - A catalyst for positive change
DC consolidation - The move to Master Trusts
How paying national insurance voluntary contributions can boost state pension
What's The Point Of A Pension App?
Insights we've learned about the rising cost-of-living
June
Time For A Fresh Approach To Biodiversity?
May
Will pension savings weather the cost of living storm?
Consumer Duty - Beyond regulatory change
How does Consumer Duty go beyond regulatory change to benefit members?
Value for money members’ perspective
April
Value for money consultation response
March
For use by UK employers and advisers only.
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