All default funds articles
-
NewsPoor default offerings could ‘undermine trust and widen generational gap’
Two professional trustees have written an open letter warning the industry of dangers lurking in default strategies that do not adequately reflect the views of their members.
-
NewsTPR urges trustees to support DC savers amid economic challenges
The Pensions Regulator has said savers must be supported during current economic volatility amid concerns the value of some defined contribution pots has fallen.
-
NewsRailpen leads bondholder stewardship group
ESG spotlight: A roundup of the latest news on environmental, social and governance initiatives, including the launch of a new bondholders’ stewardship working group, the adoption of a formal ESG policy by BlackRock’s LifePath UK DC investment strategy, and a new global standard for stewardship resourcing.
-
NewsFCA proposes rules to stamp out greenwashing
The Financial Conduct Authority is looking to introduce a package of measures aimed at clamping down on greenwashing, while looking to expand the regime for pension products in the future.
-
NewsGovernment’s new illiquid rules to apply to all DC schemes
The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed it will push ahead with a requirement that trustees must include a policy on illiquid investments in their defined contribution schemes’ chair’s statement, despite stern criticism from the industry.
-
-
NewsTPR supports actuaries’ climate report, Smart commits to net zero
ESG spotlight: A roundup of the latest news on environmental, social and governance initiatives, including a new climate change report for actuaries, Smart Pension announcing a net zero target for 2040, and savers supporting the government’s push for greener pensions.
-
NewsMindset shift key to private markets in DC, trustees told
Allocating capital to long-term illiquid assets requires a shift in focus from cost to value, according to panellists at the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association’s investment conference.
-
OpinionShould DC default funds take more risk?
There are powerful fiduciary justifications on both sides of the “risk” debate for defined contribution default funds. On the one hand, there is the argument in favour of more risk, because higher expected returns are most important.
-
NewsAegon invests £3bn in ESG range, NPT shifts to sustainable strategy
ESG spotlight: A roundup of the latest news on environmental, social and governance initiatives, with Aegon investing £3bn of its default funds in ESG, and the National Pension Trust shifting its default arrangement towards a green strategy.
-
NewsUber faces legal action over Sharia compliant pension arrangements
On the go: The App Drivers & Couriers Union has started legal action against Uber for failing to make Sharia-compliant pension arrangements for its majority Muslim workforce.
-
NewsCharge cap proposals criticised as govt launches illiquids consultation
The government has said it will “take time to consider” industry concerns around its proposals to exclude performance fees from the charge cap, and has launched a combined consultation into other ways in which to encourage defined contribution schemes to invest in illiquid assets.
-
NewsAon’s master trust and GPP invest in climate transition fund
On the go: The Aon MasterTrust and Group Personal Pension Plan made a £700mn investment in February 2022 to a new climate transition fund co-developed and co-launched by the consultancy and UBS Asset Management.
-
NewsScottish Widows to divest £1.5bn from tobacco stocks
On the go: Scottish Widows has said it will divest from any company that derives more than 10 per cent of its revenue from tobacco, in an expansion to its exclusions policy.
-
OpinionSchemes need to pay attention to members’ sustainable demands
In an interesting Pensions Expert article published in February, it was asserted that there is still a strong perception among trustees that investing in sustainability in pension funds is at odds with financial returns.
-
NewsAlternative assets could give DC higher returns with no extra risk
Alternative assets could present defined contribution schemes with a means to increase value for members without taking on any extra risk, according to a new report from the Pensions Policy Institute.
-
NewsStandard Life moves 1.5m savers into sustainable default funds
On the go: Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, is moving £15bn of assets and 1.5m pension clients to a default strategy that will mainly provide a passive, lower-cost sustainable solution.
-
NewsParliament moves to ban flat fees on small pots
On the go: Regulations have been laid before parliament that will see flat fees banned for pots of under £100, which the government hopes will benefit hundreds of thousands of savers.
-
NewsNest closes Pre-retirement Fund after wide review
Government-backed master trust Nest has decided to close its Pre-retirement Fund following a review, since the fund was no longer appropriate due to the flexibility introduced by pension freedoms and the confusion its name caused among members.
-
NewsSavers stick to default funds despite ESG concerns
On the go: Despite savers showing an interest in investing their pensions responsibly, only one in five workplace scheme members have converted their investments into green funds, research has shown.