TFA006 Paul Johnson on Pensions, Ageing Population & Government Spending

In today’s episode director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies Paul Johnson shares the true cost of running Britain. Paul explores taxes, pensions including auto-enrollment, the ageing population, and the future of the state pension. Paul is perhaps one the UK's known economists, a regular on BBC Radio 4, and writes a column for the Times Newspaper. He is also a published author with a Times bestseller Follow the Money, How Much Does Britain Cost. Key topics discussed: ·         Are we receiving good value for our taxes? ·         Will our taxes keep on rising? ·         Should we just tax the rich? ·         Is growth the answer, or raising taxes? ·         How much does the state pension cost? ·         Does auto-enrollment solve the problem of funding one's retirement? ·         Does the risk measurement process need an overhaul? Timestamps: 1:30 Paul Johnson’s journey and career so far. 3:15 Holding the government to account. 4:00 How much the government spends? 6:15 Where does the government get its money from? 7:45 What are the big three expenses for the government finances? 11:05 Are we getting good value for money? 15:00 Will taxes keep on rising? 16:15 Can we tax the rich more? 19:10 Is growth a better option than raising taxes? 22:00 Should defined benefit pensions invest more in equities? 23:14 Overhauling defined benefit default funds. 25:30 Does the pension system need an overhaul? 26:40 Is the state pension sustainable? 28:00 Has auto-enrollment been a success? 32:00 Closing thoughts and wrap up. If you like this episode, please let us know by subscribing for future company reviews and insightful conversations about portfolio management and stock analysis. Links & Guest Resources: Buy Paul’s book, Follow The Money Here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Follow-Money-much-does-Britain/dp/1408714019/ref=asc_df_1408714019/ Institute for Fiscal Studies website: https://ifs.org.uk/ Pauls blog page on the IFS website: https://ifs.org.uk/people/paul-johnson Fundamental Asset Management website: https://fundamentalasset.com/ Follow Fundamental Asset on Twitter: https://twitter.com/fundasset Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-boxall-835a4222/ Visit FYR For More Investor Related Podcasts: https://www.fundyourretirement.com/ Follow FYR on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FRetirement   Disclaimer: This presentation is for educational purposes only. All opinions and information are for demonstrational purposes and do not constitute investment advice. Trading and investing carries a high level of risk and are not right for everyone. If you need financial advice, consult with a regulated financial adviser in your country before making any decisions.