All articles by Emma Powell – Page 5
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Features
Lancashire increases employer contributions to mitigate maturing membership
Lancashire Pension Fund has added lump-sum payments to its annual employer contributions to make up for reduced cash flow from a declining active membership.
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Features
NHS scheme moves to improve struggling employer comms
The NHS Pension Scheme will tailor its communication to different employer types to provide them with more support in fulfilling their obligations, after a survey revealed substantial criticism of its approach.
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FeaturesTfL faces fresh demands for contract worker DB membership
Transport union RMT has reignited calls for all Transport for London employees undertaking work on a contract basis to be allowed to join its defined benefit pension fund.
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News
Low-cost passive DC loses ground as schemes seek 'smoothed' returns
The number of FTSE 100 trust-based defined contribution schemes using lower-cost, fully passive management for their default options has dropped by almost a half as diversified growth funds become more popular, research has found.
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Features
LPFA boosts in-house investment team as it focuses on illiquids
The London Pensions Fund Authority is strengthening its in-house investment capabilities in order to reduce investment costs and diversify further into illiquid assets.
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Features
BT suspends flexible retirement options during review
BT has suspended its flexible retirement option while it reviews the conditions under which it will consent to BT Pension Scheme members taking early payment of their pension while continuing to work at the communications company.
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FeaturesLafarge doubles contributions to cut deficit
Building materials manufacturer Lafarge has more than doubled its contributions to its UK pension fund after scheme and sponsor negotiated a beefed-up recovery plan to tackle the funding deficit.
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News
Consultants expect DC flexibility to drive DB member transfers
Defined benefit schemes could see a short-term increase in requests from members to switch their benefits into defined contribution schemes, due to potential government plans to restrict such transfers, benefit consultants have predicted.
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News
Charge cap consultation ramps up governance, weakens employers
News analysis: Defined contribution scheme representatives will see governance responsibilities increase after the pensions minister announces further reforms to ensure members get value – with a backdrop of industry debate on the charges cap.
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Features
SME achieves almost zero opt-outs after enrolling early
Chartered surveyor Dalcour Maclaren has secured a virtually entire take-up of its defined contribution plan since it auto-enrolled its small workforce last year, and now the company is looking to streamline administration of the scheme.
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News
Greater intermediary fee transparency needed to assess value, experts urge
News analysis: Investment management and consultant fees need to be more transparent to allow schemes to more accurately measure whether they are getting value for money, industry figures have said.
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FeaturesMineworkers scheme extends cash buffer to battle rising longevity
The Mineworkers Pension Scheme has secured a 10-year extension to the repayment deadline of its government-backed investment reserve, as it works to manage increased longevity among scheme members.
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News
Schemes delay mergers over tax risk concerns
Schemes are thinking twice about undertaking bulk transfers of benefits to avoid the risk of passing on individual tax charges to members as they await final official rules.
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News
Fair deal fog leads to pricing concerns for employers
Private sector employers bidding for central government contracts are facing difficulties building pension strategies into their costs due to uncertainties surrounding contribution rates and exit payments in the new fair deal guidance.
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FeaturesStrathclyde rebalances bond portfolio in drive for greater returns
Strathclyde Pension Fund has decreased its allocation to corporate bonds in favour of a wider absolute return bond strategy, to rebalance its portfolio as spreads tighten.
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News
Diageo: CDC could help overcome lack of member knowledge
NAPF Investment Conference 2014: Collective defined contribution could be a way forward for schemes trying to "give members what they want" and avoid burdening them with decisions, said Diageo's director of pensions.
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FeaturesRPMI ups emerging market exposure to drive returns
NAPF Investment Conference 2014: The Railways Pension Scheme aired plans to increase its exposure to emerging markets, including investment in alternatives, as it seeks further return drivers.
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NewsJohn Lewis favours risk controls to deliver member outcomes
NAPF Investment Conference 2014: The John Lewis Partnership's defined contribution scheme will not consider offering income guarantees to its members, unless a legislative framework is put in place to deliver them.
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News
Education key as employers stretch to reach pension goals
News analysis: Companies need to better educate staff to encourage responsibility for pension saving, as research has highlighted a misalignment between employers’ goals and the outcomes of their defined contribution plans.
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News
How to evaluate the growing TDF market
State Street Global Advisors is the latest manager to detail its UK target date funds with an emphasis on volatility control, while consultants scrutinise the take-up and construction of these strategies.