All contingent assets articles
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NewsPandemic damage mitigated as quarter of schemes are in surplus
More than a quarter (27 per cent) of defined benefit and hybrid schemes with tranche 15 valuations were in surplus on a technical provisions basis, despite the market shock of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Pensions Regulator’s latest scheme funding analysis.
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NewsTPR funding statement flags uncertainty impact for valuations
High levels of uncertainty surrounding inflation, interest rates, mortality, energy prices and economic growth will put additional pressure on trustees completing their tranche 17 valuations this year, according to the Pensions Regulator’s annual funding statement.
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NewsFTSE 100 DB surplus not immune to funding code and inflation shocks
On the go: FTSE 100 defined benefit schemes' positions grew again in Q3, with the post-pandemic recovery leaving their combined IAS19 surplus at £50bn. But LCP has warned that inflation, coupled with stricter rules under the new defined benefit funding code, could still do damage.
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NewsFirstGroup pension schemes benefit from asset sales
On the go: The pension schemes of multinational transport company FirstGroup stand to benefit from the £3.3bn sale of its First Student and First Transit assets to private equity company EQT Infrastructure.
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PodcastsPodcast: Schemes cannot eliminate chance of cyber breach
Podcast: Pension schemes hold an extraordinary amount of personal data. Though trustees have done much since the passage of the General Data Protection Regulation to improve data security, it is impossible to remove the risk of breaches entirely. So says ITM director Maurice Titley, joined this week by Aon partner Lynda Whitney to discuss cyber security, McCloud, and Covid-19’s impact on recovery plans.
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OpinionDo asset-backed funding structures need an update?
It has now been more than a decade since Marks and Spencer implemented the first asset-backed funding structure, and some of the industry’s pioneering arrangements are showing their age.
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News
TPR starts DB countdown to ‘significant maturity’
The Pensions Regulator has launched a consultation on its long-trailed, twin-track defined benefit funding approach, seeking industry views on how to get the average scheme to low dependency within 15-20 years.
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Features
John Laing divests asset-backed funding from former sponsor
The John Laing Pension Fund has sold its remaining stake in infrastructure company John Laing Environmental Assets Group, a holding initially contributed to the scheme as part of a contingent funding plan in 2015.
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OpinionReducing your 2019-20 PPF levy
The Pension Protection Fund levy is a potentially significant liability for a UK defined benefit pension scheme, but it can be reduced by the use of contingent assets.
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NewsNo-deal Brexit a possibility as McVey and others quit
Esther McVey has resigned as secretary of state for work and pensions amid a raft of cabinet resignations, raising speculation about the impact of a no-deal Brexit on the pensions sector.
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FeaturesBT’s 'sleight of hand' bond gift slashes accounting deficit
BT’s defined benefit scheme has seen its accounting deficit drop by £1.8bn over the past quarter after investing in the bonds of its own sponsor, but some experts have questioned whether the move has any meaningful impact on member security.
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OpinionTrustee negotiation need not always result in a winner and a loser
As has been highlighted by some recent high profiles cases, negotiating with the employer can be one of the biggest challenges faced by the trustees of defined benefit pension schemes.
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OpinionHow contingent assets can benefit schemes
Trustees need to ensure schemes have enough money to pay pensions now and in the future, but for business reasons, employers may not want to tie up their money in the scheme.
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Features
Deficits have dropped, but how should schemes react?
Analysis: While there has been a recent improvement in defined benefit pension fund deficits, market volatility, weak covenants and increasing longevity mean trustees should continue to keep a tight rein on risk and cost management.
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News
Employers urged to actively manage covenant
Employers and schemes must take a more active approach to managing their pension liabilities to improve covenant strength, experts say.
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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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NewsHenderson agrees recovery plan after funding fall
Investment manager Henderson Group has agreed a recovery plan with its trustees after its defined benefit scheme fell out of surplus at the latest triennial valuation.
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News
SPV helps Johnson Matthey reduce deficit by £145m
Johnson Matthey Pension Scheme has reduced its deficit by around £145m after taking a raft of measures to address its funding shortfall, including the creation of an asset-backed contribution vehicle comprised of third-party bonds.
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FeaturesMorrisons delivers £150m property assets to secure scheme funding
Supermarket chain Morrisons has transferred a further £150m worth of property into an asset-backed funding vehicle in a bid to improve security for its pension scheme.
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NewsGranada appeal threatens contingent asset arrangements
Broadcaster Granada is appealing a High Court ruling in an attempt to recover £40m of gilts from one of its pension schemes, but lawyers say the case could jeopardise other employers’ non-cash contributions.