All Hymans Robertson articles – Page 17
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FeaturesUnilever refines DB and DC investment after review
Pension fund trustees at consumer goods giant Unilever undertook a review of the UK pension scheme's overall strategy last year and have implemented several changes across the defined benefit and defined contribution sections.
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News
Pie generates £23m for Centrica
Utilities provider Centrica has saved £23m on future pension liabilities after a pension increase exchange was taken up by a quarter of retired participants across three of its defined benefit sections.
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News
LGPS meets first pooling landmark
The Local Government Pension Scheme submitted initial proposals for asset pooling last week, but talks between funds are ongoing as the scheme works to meet government benchmarks.
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NewsM&S scheme in ample surplus as hedge pays off
The Marks and Spencer Pension Scheme has swung into surplus, thanks to a combination of outperformance of return-seeking assets and full hedging of interest rate risk, the company said last week.
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News
Rise in member contributions at Scottish Power shows impact of online tools
Energy company Scottish Power has seen a tenth of its stakeholder pension plan up their contributions following the introduction of a member portal that models pension outcomes and warns if an individual is likely to miss their target.
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Opinion
Funding and reinsurance emerge as biggest challenges on the road to buyout
Feature: The introduction of Solvency II last month has made buying out in full even trickier than before, but there are things trustees can do to make it more likely to happen.
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NewsEiopa stress tests stoke fears of holistic balance sheet return
Low rates and falling asset prices have hit pension schemes hard, the first stress test by the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority has shown, and experts warn the holistic balance sheet could still rear its head.
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News
Project POOL maps the route for LGPS
Pooling assets across the Local Government Pension Scheme could ultimately deliver annual savings of £190m-£300m, according to new analysis that goes some way to giving LGPS funds much-needed clarity.
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News
April changes offer 'excuse' for DB schemes to shut up shop
Analysis: The death knell for defined benefit is edging closer, consultants say, as the end of contracting-out, low yields and impending government revisions to pension tax could see all FTSE 250 companies completely close their DB schemes by the end of this year.
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News
PiP seedling poised to flower following FCA authorisation
The Pensions Infrastructure Platform has been authorised as an investment manager by the Financial Conduct Authority and is tipped by industry experts to be a top contender in fulfilling the role of “national infrastructure platform” for local authority schemes.
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News
Strong covenants offer schemes more slack on investment risk
Schemes with strong employer covenants could find it easier to take on more investment risk, experts have said, in light of the Pensions Regulator’s increased focus on integrated risk management.
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NewsLow for longer (but longing for higher) rates
Analysis: The US Federal Reserve’s decision on Wednesday to push rates up may mark the end of an era, but investment experts say UK pension funds should expect little more than a small amount of volatility as a result.
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News
LGPS under fire on costs to members
Reporting and cost disclosure across the Local Government Pension Scheme must become more transparent, experts have said, as a new report highlights wide disparity in the levels of charges passed on to scheme members.
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OpinionEmployers need to step closer to the ‘advice line’
‘What would you do if you were in my position?’ It is a question many pensions managers and trustees have been asked by scheme members searching for guidance around pension savings.
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News
Just over half of LGPS have procedures for legal breaches
A little over half of public sector pension schemes have procedures set up to handle breaches of law, but experts have said scheme governance is improving markedly among local government pension schemes.
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News
Regulator aims to 'eradicate surprises' with risk management guide
The Pensions Regulator has issued a practical guide on integrated risk management to help trustees assess and respond to covenant, investment and funding risks, but experts have said schemes will need additional help.
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News
Fid man assets surpass £100bn but cynicism persists
Pension assets under fiduciary management hit £114bn during 2015, but independent trustees remain sceptical of the alignment of interests underpinning such arrangements.
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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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NewsShire funds ‘keeping options open’ for asset pooling
A group of seven Local Government Pension Scheme funds has appointed a manager to run a joint £6.5bn passive mandate, but funds involved in the arrangement say longer-term plans for pooling are still under discussion.
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News
LPFA confronts employer risk through covenant monitoring
Keeping a constant eye on the financial strength of employers has brought the London Pensions Fund Authority £310m worth of guarantees, assurances and cash since its 2013 triennial valuation.