Steve Simkins | Director and Actuary
I’m a leading specialist in public service pensions in the UK. This has been my sole area of professional practice for over 15 years and I’ve been a pensions actuary for nearly 35 years.
Having recently retired from being a Partner at Isio (previously part of KPMG), I am continuing to use my experience, my network and my passion for public services to advise on public service pensions.
My focus is to support good pensions decisions, including in relation to procurement. My forte is to challenge the status quo and find new solutions. I really enjoy the public discourse on public service pensions and continue to be a respected and influential commentator following retirement from full-time employment.
I also provide wider support to boards and committees, including public service organisations. I am a Trustee Director of Abbey-Multi Academy Trust and a member of the Regulatory Appointments Committee of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.
I am a non-practicing Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries and an Affiliate Member of the Association of Consulting Actuaries.
“My differentiator is to take a holistic perspective on the funding, governance and communication of pensions schemes. I have the expertise, including a wider understanding of public services, needed to improve outcomes.”
Sectors
Higher Education
I advise Higher Education institutions in relation to the sector’s multi-employer pension schemes (Universities Superannuation Scheme, Teachers Pension Scheme, Local Government Pension Scheme) and their own Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit arrangements.
This includes advice on the pensions implications of mergers and strategic board reviews. I have implemented changes such as USS exits and LGPS funding improvements.
I have advised USS working groups set up to deal with specific issues.
Schools and Colleges
I advise Academy Trusts and Further Education institutions in relation to their sectors’ multi-employer pension schemes (Teachers’ Pension Scheme, Local Government Pension Scheme).
For Academy Trusts, this includes advice on the pensions implications of academy conversions and mergers. I have implemented changes such as LGPS funding improvements.
I also advise Independent Schools on TPS alternatives and the introduction of new Defined Contribution schemes.
Housing Associations
I advise housing associations in relation to the sector’s multi-employer pension schemes (Social Housing Pension Scheme, Local Government Pension Scheme) and their own Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit arrangements (run by The Pensions Trust or otherwise).
This includes advice on the pensions implications of mergers and strategic board reviews. I have implemented changes such as transfers out of SHPS and LGPS funding improvements.
I was the lead pensions advisor to the National Housing Federation for nearly ten years.
NHS and Health
I advise NHS trusts and other NHS bodies in relation to the NHS Pension Scheme.
This includes advice on the pensions implications of tax and of the McCloud discrimination ruling. I’ve led work on a new pension scheme for NHS England to mitigate 2019/20 tax charges and an individual service for members with McCloud pension tax adjustments. I have also led a communication program to nurses and midwives focused on retention.
From 2014 to 2016 I was the NHS Pension Scheme Advisory Board’s Independent Actuary and supported the Board with its set-up
Local Government
I advise local authorities as administering authorities of Local Government Pension Scheme funds and as employers in their own right.
This includes advice on pension funding and the setting of employer pension contributions, including the use of innovative funding approaches designed to use council assets efficiently. I also advise on the pension implications of local authorities’ outsourcing and subsidiary arrangements and the pensions tax implications for senior employees.
I have overseen investment advice to LGPS funds and advised on governance matters such as the implementation of Pension Boards.
I have also advised the LGPS Scheme Advisory Board on administering authority and fund separation.
Central Government
I advise central government organisations in relation to the Civil Service Pension Scheme and their own Defined Contribution and Defined Benefits arrangements.
This includes advice on the pensions implications of tax and of the McCloud discrimination ruling. I led the civil service’s outsourced support programme to senior civil servants on pensions tax for nearly ten years.
I provided additional support on the long-term considerations for member administration improvements and in relation to wide implications of the McCloud pensions tax rectification.
Advice to over 100 Local Government Pension Scheme employers
>100
I have expertise across various sectors within public services
6
Years of pension experience
34
14 January 2026Quoted in House of Lords
National newspaper contributions
6
Board experience
>15years
Services
Strategy and Policy
Supporting management teams, boards and policy makers with strategic pensions issues relating to finance, people and governance matters. With a clear focus on integrating pensions into the wider context to enable excellent decision-making.
Procurement Advice
Advising management and procurement teams on securing third party pensions support, including work specification, business case design, budget setting, supplier identification, procurement frameworks, evaluation and contract negotiation.
Independent Person
Fulfilling the statutory role of the Local Government Pension Scheme Independent Person with the required breadth of pensions experience, LGPS insight and public service expertise alongside board membership and advisory experience.
Non-Executive Director
Director and/or trustee for public service organisations, including housing associations and higher education, with a particular focus on strategy, risk management and good governance. Bringing committee chair experience.
