seminar

An introduction to the UK Pensions system

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A free seminar from the Pensions Policy Institute, kindly sponsored by Phoenix Group.

Time: 12:00 – 13:00
Date: Tuesday 13 May 2025
Location: Central Hall Westminster, Dinsdale Young Room, Storey’s Gate, London, SW1H 9NH

Pensions are important, but can be very confusing.

We can help with this

The Pensions Policy Institute (PPI) would like to invite you to join us for an introduction to the UK Pensions System. This seminar, which is free to attend and kindly sponsored by Phoenix Group, is open exclusively to all staff working within Parliament who have an interest in pension policy.

There is no getting away from it, the current UK Pensions system can be confusing. This seminar, delivered by the PPI’s Senior Leadership Team, will provide a high-level overview of the current system, and the issues faced by industry, policymakers, and those saving for and in receipt of income in retirement.

Specific topics which will be covered include:

  • The State Pension – historical background and where we are today
  • Automatic enrolment – historical background and where we are today
  • Adequacy
  • Retirement income – comparisons with the rest of the world
  • Private pensions – what is available, where we are today with CDC, industry challenges and the changing landscape
  • The Gender Pensions Gap – differences and explanations
  • Investment – Mansion House, Illiquids, ESG
  • New developments – Dashboards, Small Pots, and Lost Pensions

Why choose this seminar? Our Independence sets us apart: The PPI focuses on the facts. The Knowledge Sharing Seminars will be delivered from the PPI’s independent perspective and will provide you with the facts on the UK Pensions System.

We hope you can join us, and we look forward to unravelling the world of pensions for you!

Please feel free to forward this invite to colleagues within Parliament who may be interested in attending this free seminar.

Click here to book your place

The Pensions Policy Institute: is an educational research institute. Our aim is to improve information and understanding about pensions policy and retirement income provision through research and analysis, discussion, and publication.

Phoenix Group: You may be aware of Phoenix’s customer brand, Standard Life, who together with their other brands make Phoenix one of the UK’s largest long-term savings and retirement business.

Evidence-Based Medicine

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A Mini Masterclass for Members of Parliament

From the University of St. Andrews:

We understand that for many MPs, and special advisors, there is a huge demand on your time and, no matter your own pre-existing expertise, a need to quickly obtain even more knowledge in multiple areas.

We can help with one aspect of this. At the University we have a commitment to public engagement and service. We invite you to a free, one hour seminar designed to equip MPs and/or their staff on the most important aspects of evidence based medicine. This will cover:

  • why evidence based medicine? – From opioid overuse to surgical mesh, how to stop medicine doing harm
  • finding disease early – complicated and often counter-intuitive
  • who to trust? – fact and fiction- how to assess health claims
  • real world examples, based on previous political interests; for example: the age cervical screening should start at; and whether patients are protected from doctors’ conflicts of interest

This will be online. Members of staff are welcome.

Conversations with previously elected representatives suggest this information would have been useful, however if you wish other areas covered we would be happy to discuss, including if an in-person seminar is preferred or these times are not suitable.

We have expertise in public health, early diagnosis, screening and risk communication. Dr McCartney is an academic at the School of Medicine and also writes and broadcasts about evidence based medicine, and Professor Donnelly is Director of the Mackenzie Institute for Early Diagnosis.

We are offering this seminar to all MPs and advisors at:

  • Tuesday 27th August at 2pm
  • Tuesday 3rd September at 4pm

To register, please email Dr. Margaret McCartney with your details.