All articles by Angus Peters – Page 25
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FeaturesTaylor Wimpey builds synthetic equities to tackle volatility
The pension scheme of housebuilder Taylor Wimpey has undertaken a widespread derisking programme, strengthening existing hedges while converting physical equity investments into a synthetic, volatility-dampening exposure.
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FeaturesJohn Laing targets speedy return to full funding
The John Laing Pension Fund has agreed a recovery plan worth £171m to be paid over seven years by its sponsor, infrastructure investor John Laing, following an actuarial valuation.
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News
Better trusteeship key to any future DB plans
Efforts to improve the level of experience and competence of trustee boards must not come at the expense of diversity, politicians have warned, as dealing with groupthink remains a key concern in defined benefit pensions.
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News
Delays in transfer value process threaten member outcomes
The Pensions Regulator has been asked to look at streamlining the process for providing cash equivalent transfer values, after complaints from advisers that delays in schemes providing necessary information meant members were missing out.
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News
CDC could refocus industry on purposeful finance
Refocusing the industry on the purpose of finance could deliver huge benefits to UK pensions, a new academic paper has suggested, as calls were lodged for the resurrection of collective defined contribution.
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News
NICs U-turn puts pension tax back on the table
Chancellor Philip Hammond has cancelled plans to increase class 4 national insurance contributions for the self-employed, creating a £2bn shortfall in the nation’s accounts between 2018 and 2022, which many fear will be plugged by changes to pension tax relief.
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News
Monitoring key as risk creeps into managers’ direct lending strategies
Increasingly complex models of unitranche loan agreements are being brought to market by managers offering direct lending products, a research paper has found, demanding careful governance from pension scheme investors.
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NewsHow would Scottish independence impact schemes?
Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon will seek a second referendum on Scottish independence, to be held by spring of 2019, triggering concerns about the challenges a Yes vote would pose to UK pensions.
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FeaturesCentrica drills for returns with high-yield allocation
The Centrica Combined Common Investment Fund, which manages holdings for the energy giant’s pension schemes, has trimmed its exposure to corporate bonds, reweighting its portfolio towards high-yield debt.
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News
Lack of consultant feedback threatens scheme governance
PLSA Investment Conference 2017: More than half of professional trustees and consultants rate their clients’ decision-making capabilities as acceptable or below, as industry figures have urged a rethinking of boardroom psychology.
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NewsTrustees must secure funding after GM sells Vauxhall to PSA
General Motors has announced the sale of Vauxhall to French car manufacturer PSA Group, but will retain responsibility for the company’s UK pension obligations, sparking concerns over the security of members' benefits.
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News
DWP blocks Nest drawdown in favour of industry innovation
The Department for Work and Pensions has decided against letting Nest offer drawdown after strong opposition emerged at consultation, opting instead to rely on industry innovation, but some have questioned whether the market will provide this.
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News
Savers prepared to look past charges for returns
Good returns are the primary concern for pension scheme members when assessing value for money, according to research conducted by 11 independent governance committees, with charges sitting outside the top 10 of saver concerns.
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News
Select committee hears evidence on how to get the self-employed saving
Proposals including an expansion of auto-enrolment and raising class 4 national insurance contributions, aimed at boosting pensions coverage in the UK, have been put before the Work and Pensions Committee as part of its inquiry into self-employed workers.
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News
BHS deal welcomed but views split over DB framework
Sir Philip Green will contribute £363m to a new pension scheme for former employees of BHS, under a settlement arrangement that achieves better outcomes for members than entry into the Pension Protection Fund.
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NewsSavers still keen on cash until pot size grows
Full cash withdrawals are still dominating the retirement income market, according to analysis by the Financial Conduct Authority, as concerns were raised over consumer reluctance to seek financial advice.
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News
Pressure grows to provide pre-1997 inflation-proofing
Pensions minister Richard Harrington has demanded that the chief executives of companies including Hewlett Packard Enterprise and 3M explain their refusal to grant discretionary increases to members with benefits accrued before 1997.
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Opinion
Is it time for DC defaults to embrace ESG?
Large defined benefit funds and defined contribution mastertrusts have long been using their investments to engage with or divest from companies involved in controversial practices. Now, a renewed public focus on environmental, social and governance issues, as well as corporate reporting, could convince more to follow.
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News
FCA market study: All-in fee might not be all-in cure
The consultation stage of the Financial Conduct Authority’s market review of the asset management industry closed last week, with experts welcoming the boost to transparency but remaining reticent over proposals for an all-in fee structure.
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News
LPFA feels divestment pressure
The London Pensions Fund Authority is under pressure from London Mayor Sadiq Khan to divest entirely from fossil fuel holdings, but says it prefers working with companies and fund managers over divesting.