All articles by Ian Smith – Page 7
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Opinion
Editorial: All systems go
And I thought things were supposed to calm down before Christmas? Last week saw a smattering of debate and policy in the pensions industry.
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FeaturesHalf of DC schemes opt for multi-asset defaults
Data analysis: Almost half (49 per cent) of defined contribution schemes now employ a multi-asset or diversified growth fund in the default phase, reflecting a desire to manage investment volatility for scheme members.
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Features
The DC Debate – improving retirement income
This quarter's debate sees experts discuss the gender gap, decumulation and illiquidity, as schemes strive to attain the best outcome for members close to retirement age.
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FeaturesKenwake adopts Skype-style pensions comms
Kenwake Pension Scheme has launched online face-to-face video support to make communication with its members more accessible and convenient.
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Opinion
Editorial: To the collective benefit
An eloquent voice has been added to those calling for the introduction of collective defined contribution pension schemes in this country to drive better outcomes for savers.
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News
How Norfolk judges investment fee value
Norfolk Pension Fund underwent third-party benchmarking of its investment management fees earlier this year to ensure value, but has warned against a focus purely on cost over quality.
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Opinion
Editorial: The two-headed monster
Defined benefit scheme managers and trustees could be forgiven for feeling perplexed at the government’s attitude to the benefits they oversee.
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FeaturesWhen is the right time for schemes to derisk?
Rothesay Life's Myles Pink, Spence and Partners' Marian Elliott, Capita's Julie Stothard, the AMNT's Robin Bell and PTL's Kim Nash discuss getting the timing right for derisking – and how to go about it.
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Opinion
Editorial: Towards a consistent variety
At last week’s Society of Pension Consultants dinner, the Pensions Regulator’s outgoing chair Michael O’Higgins – after acknowledging his out-going had been stretched a little longer than expected – gave us a glimpse of the watchdog’s approach to DB regulation.
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News
Visualise your scheme’s demographic shift
Data analysis: Active members have continued to shrink, while deferred member liabilities have continued to rise, presenting a range of investment and governance challenges for UK defined benefit schemes.
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Opinion
Editorial: On the threshing floor
Steve Webb has drawn a line in the sand. Or rather, three lines in the sand.
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News
Schemes respond to AE charge cap proposal
News analysis: Managers of large defined contribution schemes have responded to the government's proposed 0.75 per cent charging cap on auto-enrolment arrangements, largely feeling they already fit within the requirement currently under consultation.
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News
Plumbing scheme ramps up property exposure
The Plumbing and Mechanical Services Industry Pension Scheme is to expand its property investment for the second year running, as investors return to traditional commercial property in their hunt for value.
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Opinion
Editorial: Where is the AE contribution tipping point?
Pressure is growing on the minimum auto-enrolment contribution rates.
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Opinion
Editorial: Building understanding
It was about the time that Steve Webb started rapping and holding up sandwich bags that I reflected on what I had learnt at the NAPF conference.
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News
The Pensions Trust eyes alternative hedging assets
The Pensions Trust has said it aims to have 20 per cent of its liabilities hedged by March 2014, as it works to build a portfolio of alternative, good-value, matching assets that will better hedge liabilities.
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Opinion
A guide to the PPF's time-saving provider panels
The Pension Protection Fund is beefing up. Its latest unveiling has revealed its revamped legal panel – the law firms that will advise the growing fund on insolvency and corporate matters.
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News
Defence schemes 'future-proof' MNT governance
The Selex and AgustaWestland pension schemes have reformed their member-nominated trustee election processes to safeguard decision-making continuity for their beneficiaries.
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OpinionBA scheme inserts murder exemption into rules
The New Airways Pension Scheme has made an amendment to its scheme rules to be able to deny benefits to a member’s spouse or dependant who is guilty of that member’s murder.
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FeaturesThe DC Debate – how will the government's focus on quality help managers?
This edition of our quarterly feature asks DC experts what they would like to see come out of the focus on quality standards, the effect of mastertrusts on the market and getting value through scale.