All Covenant articles – Page 11
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News
GKN trustees say hostile takeover must respect pension obligations
Trustees of GKN’s pension schemes have stressed that any potential buyer of the company, which rejected an unsolicited takeover approach from Melrose Industries last week, should be aware of the scheme’s recent funding positions.
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OpinionAn MoU can ensure effective covenant monitoring
Aon Hewitt’s Aidan O’Mahony explains how a memorandum of understanding agreement can lead to more effective covenant monitoring.
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OpinionCarillion is a covenant warning
From the blog: The Pensions Regulator’s assertion that “the strength of the employer covenant can change materially over a short period of time” has once again been proved correct by the case of Carillion.
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News
Progress towards long-term objectives tops list of DB concerns
Concerns over long-term objectives, managing funding constraints and keeping up with change rank at the top of concerns held at defined benefit schemes, followed by the task of balancing stakeholder interests, new research has found.
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OpinionWhen bigger is better
Editorial: When it comes to ensuring value for defined contribution members, bigger may often be better.
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News
Covenant risk is dominating the DB agenda
Defined benefit trustees are becoming increasingly concerned about the strength of their employer covenants, a new survey has revealed, as Brexit uncertainty feeds into broader concerns about the future of sponsors.
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OpinionWe need to talk about PPF drift
The Pension Protection Fund, the lifeboat for failed defined benefit pension schemes, is facing a looming iceberg known as ‘PPF drift’. What is this phenomenon, and how do we tackle it?
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Opinion
How to monitor the effectiveness of your trustee board
The launch of the Pensions Regulator’s 21 century trusteeship campaign marks a significant step forward in the level of and approach to the regulator’s engagement with pension schemes on governance and trusteeship.
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OpinionWhat to look out for with sectionalisation
Trustees and employers might want to create a sectionalised scheme for a number of reasons, but should be aware there are some technical challenges involved in operating a sectionalised scheme and maintaining its status.
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OpinionNew rules on profit-shifting could affect pensions
From the blog: As demands for companies to be more tax transparent have built momentum, international reforms are being formulated that could impact tax strategies and dramatically change sponsor covenant.
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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
Scheme support levels at lowest since financial crisis
Affordability of FTSE 350 defined benefit pension promises has retreated to levels not seen since the global financial crisis, a new report has found, putting pressure on trustees of mature schemes.
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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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OpinionBlack swans: The threats to the pension system nobody is talking about
2016 was a year where unexpected events put UK defined benefit pension schemes through their paces. The political twists and turns during the year defied opinion polls and market expectations.
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Features
John Menzies signs MoU ahead of sectionalisation
A memorandum of understanding has been signed by John Menzies and trustees of its pension scheme as it has closed the scheme and plans to begin a sectionalisation process, but experts have highlighted that this sort of agreement is rarely legally binding.
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OpinionRaising debt to fund pensions - what to bear in mind
From the blog: FTSE engineering company GKN might consider issuing bonds of up to £250m in order to help finance its UK pension deficit, it has recently been reported in the Times.
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FeaturesBAE Systems' Airbus section ready for take-off
British defence giant BAE Systems has created a new scheme section for Airbus employees, to increase transparency while giving direct responsibility to the companies involved.
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FeaturesMPs’ scheme votes for secured loans over REITs
The Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund has simplified its property portfolio and invested proceeds in a European loans mandate, with a view to generating income.
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NewsUnions reluctantly back BSPS closure proposal
Unions have backed a proposal to close the British Steel Pension Scheme to future accrual, raising questions about the future of private sector defined benefit schemes in the UK.
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OpinionPartial transfers would bring more choice into DB
From the blog: While many people have been rushing recently to cash in their final salary pensions, others are still torn between sticking with a guaranteed income and transferring all of their benefits.