All Defined benefit articles – Page 157
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OpinionThe best way to harness illiquidity
Pension schemes are facing tough times. In June, the Pension Protection Fund reported that 74 per cent of defined benefit schemes were in deficit, and this situation has been exacerbated by a prolonged low interest rate environment.
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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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NewsQinetiq shields funding level with boost to LDI
The Qinetiq Pension Scheme has seen a £605m boost to its liability-driven investments and has begun discussions over its long-term future as it nears full funding.
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News
Cridland: Longevity as big an issue as climate change
Savers need to be more aware of the consequences of an ageing population on retirement saving, with providers, regulators and employers all having a part to play in improving engagement, say experts.
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NewsGauke calls for government and industry collaboration
In his first speech as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, David Gauke called for consensus and collaboration to ensure a positive future for pensions, but admitted that it will take time to address some of the more challenging policy issues, from pensions tax relief to extending auto-enrolment to the self-employed.
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OpinionWill the regulator's new interventionism work?
In its 2017 annual funding statement, the Pensions Regulator announced its intention to intervene more frequently in the running of defined benefit pension schemes by sponsors and trustees.
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OpinionAn industry under pressure
It had to happen at some point: the Financial Conduct Authority has set its sights on the investment consulting market.
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FeaturesLeics sees opportunity in bank loans investment
Leicestershire County Council Pension Fund has committed to a new capital release fund investment as part of its growing opportunity pool allocation, as banks look to free up capital.
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NewsRegulator’s BHS report focuses on areas of improvement
The Pensions Regulator has highlighted the lessons it has learnt from the BHS case in a recently published regulatory intervention report, as experts stress the need for more proactive engagement.
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News
Wealthy male pensioners buck national longevity trends
Rapidly rising life expectancy among older men will maintain high deficits for UK defined benefit schemes, according to a new report, despite flatlining mortality rates for other demographics.
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OpinionGDPR: Why trustees need to take notice
Significant changes to data protection law are due to come into force on May 25 2018 in the form of a new EU General Data Protection Regulation.
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FeaturesStrathclyde hails transfer warning effort
A communications exercise warning members of the Strathclyde Pension Fund about the risks of cashing in their benefits has seen the scheme’s membership continue to grow despite declining payroll numbers.
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OpinionBetween the lines
Editorial: Was it because she needed to be at Ascot later that day that the Queen’s Speech seemed shorter this time?
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News
Pensions Institute: Relax DB promises to tackle PPF drift
Stressed schemes and employers should be allowed to reduce pension increases and gain easier access to Pension Protection Fund-plus benefit-restructuring methods in order to minimise “PPF drift”, a new academic paper has said.
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NewsFCA transfer proposals welcomed but timeline draws criticism
The Financial Conduct Authority’s new proposals on pension transfers have been widely welcomed across the industry, but concerns around the 2018 implementation of the final rules remain.
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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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Opinion
How do trustees choose the 'right' consultant?
The Financial Conduct Authority’s final report on the asset management market revealed that the investment consulting sector has not escaped the watchdog’s scrutiny, but pinning down criteria for a good consultant is not easy.
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Opinion
How are DB schemes allocating to DGFs?
How are defined benefit pension schemes using diversified growth funds in their portfolios, and how can trustees choose between the various strategies on offer? Naomi L’Estrange from 2020 Trustees, Shuntao Li from Barnett Waddingham, Neil McPherson from Capital Cranfield, Murray Taylor from JLT Employee Benefits, and Percival Station from Pictet Asset Management discuss how pension funds are approaching DGFs.
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FeaturesPearson moves away from hedge funds into DGFs
The pension plan of publishing giant Pearson Group has scrapped its hedge fund exposure and invested in diversified growth funds, in a bid to control investment risk and costs as the scheme nears self-sufficiency.
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NewsTfL adds online self-service in admin refresh
The Transport for London pension fund is introducing a new administration system that will give members a self-service option, something experts say can help reduce costs in the long term.