All Features articles – Page 24
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FeaturesIsle of Man faces up to DB sustainability question
The Isle of Man government last week made clear its intention to further reform public sector pensions on the island, a microcosm of UK schemes struggling to remain sustainable.
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Features
Weathering the storm: How to tackle scheme closure
Analysis: Defined benefit scheme closures present significant challenges to all parties involved, but how can sponsors ensure they engage their workforce in meaningful consultation?
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BA transfer value review puts spotlight on older members
Trustees of the British Airways Pension Scheme have rebalanced the scheme’s transfer value basis towards younger members, but anticipate the net impact of the shift will be cost neutral to its funding position.
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FeaturesBritish Coal derisks to support structural change
The British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme has revised its asset allocation, which included selling equities and buying government bonds, following changes to the scheme’s structure.
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MyCSP issues bring home admin transfer risk lessons
The National Audit Office has called on civil service pension scheme MyCSP and the Cabinet Office to increase employer involvement in a report examining problems with the scheme’s transition to in-house administration.
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FeaturesThomson Reuters trailblazes in-scheme drawdown, but obstacles remain for small schemes
US-based media company Thomson Reuters has opted to provide in-scheme flexi-access drawdown to UK members in response to pension freedoms, bucking the trend for occupational trust-based scheme offerings in the new environment.
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FeaturesRoyal Mail runs survey as freedoms heighten need for engagement
The Royal Mail Pension Plan is running an online member survey to judge engagement and levels of understanding among its members as freedom and choice makes member decisions even more important.
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FeaturesFinancial pressures and demise of DB affect millennials' pension expectations
Feature: Three-quarters of UK employees expect to be be poorer in retirement than their parents, reversing the apparent laws of financial progress.
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FeaturesMUMS the word: Medically underwritten mortality studies' benefit questioned
Analysis: Medical underwriting of defined benefit scheme members to facilitate bulk annuity insurance transactions has taken off over the past two years, but industry experts are sceptical of the benefits of using medical data for scheme valuations.
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FeaturesPanning for gold in an age of information
Any Other Business: The mounting complexity of pension trusteeship has been met by a surge of information and intelligence sources. But how can trustees be successful prospectors as they mine the industry for useful nuggets?
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FeaturesFujifilm develops its DC default fund approach
Fujifilm is overhauling its defined contribution default fund to improve its performance and relevance to members, as schemes continue to rethink DC glide paths following the pension freedoms.
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MyCSP fact-find leads to unexpected flurry of member engagement
Civil Service Pension Scheme inadvertently prompted nearly half of its members to explore their pension entitlements after it carried out a survey as part of a wide-ranging engagement project, aimed at ensuring all members are informed about their benefits.
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FeaturesEntering the matrix: Taking pension tech to the next level
Any other business: Apple’s string of acquisitions over recent months are pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence in the drive to get closer to consumers – but where does the pensions industry rank in the digital journey?
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Features
Market trends shaping liability management in 2016
Defined benefit pension schemes across the UK struggled with soaring liabilities in 2015, but industry experts have warned against a 2016 ‘bet on interest rates’ in what could be a bumper year for tackling risk.
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FeaturesThe top 5 DC stories from 2015 reflect a challenging year
Year in Review: It was a massive year for defined contribution, with new pension flexibilities, the subsequent government guidance promise and of course the charge cap to contend with.
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Secondhand annuity market takes shape but risk of poor deals looms
Analysis: The government has confirmed it will soften the tax hit for those looking to take advantage of the secondary annuity market, but some experts are concerned the financial services industry holds all the cards in getting the best deal.
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Features
Three ways to trim your liabilities in 2016
Analysis: While many defined benefit schemes have yet to explore ways to provide enhanced flexibility to members, there are three key strategies in this area that could ease the pressure of mounting liabilities in 2016.
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Royal Mail closure plan flags pulldown effect of low rates
The perennial question of whether it is possible to keep defined benefit schemes open to accrual has resurfaced after Royal Mail Group said it could not afford to keep its DB scheme open beyond 2018.
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FeaturesCash flow crisis: How to avoid becoming a forced seller
Sweeping closures of defined benefit schemes across the UK will limit the pain of future liabilities for sponsors, but have created a growing problem many pension funds have been slow to recognise: a cash flow crisis is on the horizon.
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Shropshire profits from infra but schemes struggle to fill targets
Shropshire County Pension Fund’s infrastructure investment gained 40 per cent during 2014/15, but entry into the asset class remains a challenge for some UK pension funds.