All Features articles – Page 15
-
Features
Is it time to return to equities?
Analysis: Investors are the most overweight in equities relative to government bonds since August 2014. Might pension schemes share in this bullish outlook on equities?
-
Features
Do UK DB schemes have a covenant problem?
Analysis: Sponsor covenant and failed defined benefit promises are in the headlines again with the collapse of outsourcing giant Carillion. Could the liquidation be indicative of a wider national inability to pay pensions, and how should trustees react to a deterioration in their covenant?
-
FeaturesDelivering the ill health pension
Any other business: Illness is an unconventional path to a pension transfer. But for the thousands of employees every year rendered unable to work through sickness, surviving financially through the mercy of an early pension might make all the difference.
-
FeaturesUnilever forks out £600m to tackle £1.2bn DB deficit
Unilever has contributed £600m to its scheme, after an actuarial valuation revealed a £1.2bn deficit. Meanwhile, the trustees have taken steps to ensure they can act quickly should there be a significant corporate event.
-
Features
Distributed trust: Blockchain transactions to become 'commonplace'
Analysis: It is a humble back office function, yet blockchain has everyone excited. So what does its arrival in securities trading change for pension fund investors?
-
FeaturesTPT assists banks with risk capital investment
Mastertrust TPT Retirement Solutions is investing in regulatory capital strategies, where the scheme provides risk capital for the loan books of banks. The trust is also making allocations to alternative risk premiums.
-
Features
CPI, admin and Mums: Top 5 DB and derisking stories from 2017
Year in review: Funding and liability management took centre stage during 2017, as the debate over defined benefit pension scheme sustainability and member protection ramped up.
-
FeaturesOxford University Press scheme invests in stressed debt
Trustees of the Oxford University Press Group Pension Scheme have made a new allocation to stressed debt, an asset class that is best suited to "fleet of foot" pension funds, experts say.
-
Features
What schemes can do to drive value for members
The job of a defined contribution default fund is simple; to generate enough savings to fund a meaningful income for an individual at retirement. Of course, in the real world, it is not as straightforward as that.
-
Features
Pearson scheme upgrades comms to boost engagement
The Pearson Pension Plan has revamped its member communications and engagement strategy, using the experience to apply a similar approach to the scheme’s member-nominated trustee appointment process.
-
FeaturesBAE actuarial switch sidesteps funding slump
BAE Systems has ditched gilts-based valuations for its UK defined benefit schemes after gaining regulatory approval, freezing its deficit at 2014 levels and sparking controversy in the pensions industry.
-
FeaturesMNOPF steers towards buy-in and DC merger
As derisking plans accelerate and sponsors seek to reduce the volatility of defined benefit scheme deficits, buy-ins are becoming increasingly attractive.
-
Features
De La Rue cuts pension increases to ease funding pressures
Trustees of the De La Rue defined benefit pension scheme have agreed to cut inflation-proofing on member benefits, wiping an estimated £70m off the security specialist’s accounting deficit.
-
Features
Islington weighs up equity protection strategies
The London Borough of Islington Pension Fund is assessing three equity protection strategies as part of its ongoing investment strategy update.
-
FeaturesTRW drives up high-yield credit allocation
Trustees for the pension plan of automotive company TRW have added to the scheme's high-yield credit allocation, but opinions on the outlook for this asset class are divided.
-
FeaturesForces win back payout for family bereavement
The Ministry of Defence has agreed to introduce the Short-Term Family Pension to the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2015. The provision, which is in place for members of the 1975 scheme, was not carried over to the new 2015 scheme.
-
Features
Is it time for a trustee code of conduct?
From politics to professional football, acting and the media, every corridor of power has been exposed, particularly in recent weeks, as rife with abuse and exploitation.
-
FeaturesJT Dove lowers deficit following mortality study
The £26m JT Dove Pension Scheme has reduced its forecast deficit by 11 per cent following a medically underwritten mortality study.
-
FeaturesTeachers’ Pensions gets slammed over admin
Teachers’ Pensions, which runs the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, has been criticised by its members over its perceived poor service delivery, as experts highlight the limitations of relying on online servicing.
-
FeaturesNuffield Health scheme boosts security with ABF
Not-for-profit healthcare provider Nuffield Health has entered into an asset-backed funding arrangement for its £377.1m defined benefit pension fund, as schemes continue to secure benefits with tangible goods.