All Features articles – Page 18
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Features
Imperial Tobacco fund sharpens returns focus
The Imperial Tobacco Pension Fund has cut its exposure to shares and corporate bonds in favour of alternative asset classes, with a view to increasing the scheme’s sources of return and reducing reliance on equities.
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FeaturesMums know best: Hogg Robinson mortality study slashes liabilities
B2B services provider Hogg Robinson Group has undertaken a medically underwritten mortality study of its UK pension scheme members, shaving £68.4m off its liabilities.
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Features
IMI derisks with buy-in and Pie
Specialist engineering company IMI has completed a pension increase exchange exercise and a buy-in, as trustees become more comfortable with liability management measures.
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FeaturesSmart beta: What drives schemes’ appetite for the strategy?
Smart beta is often seen as a more transparent, simple and low cost alternative to active management. Five experts discuss what is driving the appetite for smart beta among schemes and how the sector is evolving.
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FeaturesHP sets up trustee company in simplification push
The Hewlett Packard Limited Retirement Benefits Plan has changed the structure of its trustee board to a trustee company, in a move to simplify processes while increasing scrutiny of trustee actions.
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Features
Is there a risk of crowding in smart beta?
Is there a risk of factor‑based portfolios becoming crowded, with increasing popularity potentially leading to overpricing and lower future returns? Eric Shirbini from ERI Scentific Beta, Julien Barral from bfinance, Alan Pickering from Bestrustees, James Price from Willis Towers Watson and Paul Black from Capital Cranfield debate whether crowding really is an issue within smart beta.
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FeaturesManchester University upgrades investment strategy
Trustees of the Manchester University Superannuation Scheme have adopted a new liability-driven investment strategy, while dropping a UK equity mandate in favour of global equities.
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Features
How DC schemes should approach smart beta
How should defined contribution schemes approach smart beta, and how will environmental, social and governance focused investment change the sector? Eric Shirbini from ERI Scentific Beta, Julien Barral from bfinance, Alan Pickering from Bestrustees, James Price from Willis Towers Watson and Paul Black from Capital Cranfield discuss.
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FeaturesS&N dives into infra and absolute return funds
The Scottish & Newcastle Pension Plan has agreed to introduce a new allocation to infrastructure debt while increasing its absolute return exposure, as schemes seek steady returns and diversification.
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FeaturesJohn Lewis Partnership protects future with LDI
The John Lewis Partnership Trust has introduced a liability hedging programme increasing its hedge ratio to 60 per cent, in a move experts said would protect significant recent contributions.
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Features
Dyfed 97% funded but private schemes lag behind
The Dyfed Pension Fund is approaching solvency as an investment review is set to largely stick with the scheme’s equity-heavy asset allocation, making for a sharp contrast to the situation at many private sector schemes.
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FeaturesSuffolk scheme fills gaps with greenfield infra
The Suffolk Pension Fund has added to its alternatives allocation, including a commitment to illiquid credit and an investment in a greenfield infrastructure fund, as experts have highlighted the importance of good governance when investing in illiquids.
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Features
How has the smart beta sector evolved?
How has the smart beta market developed? Eric Shirbini from ERI Scientific Beta, Julien Barral from bfinance, Alan Pickering from Bestrustees, James Price from Willis Towers Watson and Paul Black from Capital Cranfield discuss the range of new opportunities and how the sector has changed.
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FeaturesVauxhall boosts LDI and DGFs in scheme overhaul
The Vauxhall pension plan has restructured its asset allocation by increasing exposure to liability-driven investments and diversified growth funds, as experts agree these are “sensible” steps to take.
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Features
JLT scheme deficit shows rate pain persists
The UK pension scheme of consultancy and insurance business JLT Group saw its IAS 19 deficit jump during 2016, as bond yields proved a leveller for schemes of all sponsor types.
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FeaturesJLR meets members halfway with Care switch
Jaguar Land Rover is switching its defined benefit schemes from final salary to a career average revalued earnings structure, as companies look to cut costs and manage risk while keeping employees on board.
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Features
FKI scheme winds up and moves members to mastertrust
Trustees of the defined contribution FKI Group Pension Plan have agreed to wind up the scheme, transferring active members to a mastertrust, as experts note governance and cost management benefits.
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FeaturesLeonardo scheme ups hedge after Care switch
The Leonardo Electronics Pension Scheme has adapted its liability hedging strategy to reflect the career salary benefit changes implemented last year to reduce risk and costs.
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FeaturesPost Office surplus raises union affordability complaints
The Post Office section of the Royal Mail Pension Plan remains in surplus, its latest funding update shows, just weeks after it was closed to future accrual amid union consternation.
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FeaturesPru amends DC default, as experts warn against 'wait and see' approach
The Prudential staff scheme is due to amend its DC default fund this year in light of the introduction of freedom and choice, amid concerns that some schemes are choosing to wait for retiree data to help them design their default.