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• Hobson’s choice -  The options for easing the pension burden seem to be either work longer or pay higher taxes. With this in mind, Stephanie Hawthorne, Editor, reassesses what pensions are trying to achieve.

• Ode to simpler times-   Howard McWilliam talks to Jane Samsworth, the departing SPC President, about removal of complexity, the retreat from DB, the state pension and other matters.

• Sounds of spring-   Howard McWilliam went along to the PMI Spring Conference amid a chorus of birdsong, babbling brooks and dulcet pension songs to discover the industry’s activities for warmer days.

• Declaration of independents -   We hold certain truths to be self evident: that pensions are complicated beasts and their trustees, under increasing pressure, may sometimes need some expert help from outside. James Thomas assesses life, liberty and the pursuit of… the independent trustee.

• Mind the gap -   The pensions provision gap is large enough for swathes of the population to fall through and be electrocuted like Underground rats. To begin to close it we need more confidence in financial services – enter John Cox and the PPIAB.

PENSION PROVISION – SIMP

• Simply put - Statutory illustrations of money purchase – what are they and when are they required? Stewart Ritchie guides us through the development and bigger picture of SIMP. Succinctly.

PRE RETIREMENT EDUCATION

• Autumn term -  Gather your books and grab an apple for the teacher. If you’re finishing work for your autumn years then it’s time to go back to school, suggests David Hanratty.

INVESTMENT SURVEY

• If you can’t stand the heat… -  Does your investment manager make a habit of holding your head over a boiling stove shouting ‘recession’ in your ear? If so, you might want to switch. Allison Plager surveys the market.

• The European Experience -   What thrilling new sensory adventures will the EU be throwing in the direction of UK pensions in the near future? Däna Burstow takes a look.