All LCP articles – Page 20

  • News

    PiP calls on government to bridge infra gap

    2016-03-18T00:00:00Z

    The Pensions Infrastructure Platform has called on the government to make UK infrastructure more appealing to investors, in an effort to address the mismatch between government hopes for infrastructure investment and schemes’ need for returns.

  • Features

    Shell diversifies away from equities over market fears

    2016-03-14T00:00:00Z

    The Shell Contributory Pension Fund has diversified its growth asset portfolio and reduced its equity holdings in response to concerns about the level of risk.

  • Opinion

    Innovation within the charge cap

    2016-03-08T00:00:00Z

    DC Investment Quarterly: Ever since defined contribution funds have had to demonstrate value for money to members, they have sought to drive up performance of the investment strategy while controlling volatility.

  • News

    Consultancy looks to group small schemes for bulk annuity scale

    2016-03-02T00:00:00Z

    Consultancy KPMG is looking to group small schemes together before bringing them to the bulk insurance market, allowing them to better access the buy-in and buyout markets, but rivals have said governance could prove a challenge.

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    Features

    Unilever refines DB and DC investment after review

    2016-02-29T00:00:00Z

    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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    Features

    Market effects of possible Brexit throw up investment questions

    2016-02-26T00:00:00Z

    Analysis: Trustees must consider how growing uncertainty over the UK’s future in the European Union could hit their holdings, consultants have said, identifying both headwinds and opportunities en route to the referendum.

  • News

    Pie generates £23m for Centrica

    2016-02-26T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • Features

    BA transfer value review puts spotlight on older members

    2016-02-15T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • News

    Transfers to be streamlined as more ask for quotes

    2016-02-12T00:00:00Z

    The Pensions Regulator will introduce new guidance to ensure transfers between defined contribution schemes are completed promptly, the government said last week. This comes as defined benefit transfer values recovered in January after hitting a low in December.

  • News

    M&S scheme in ample surplus as hedge pays off

    2016-02-12T00:00:00Z

    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

    New report demystifies DC asset security

    2016-02-10T00:00:00Z

    A new report from the Security of Assets Working Party will provide some much-needed guidance on defined contribution asset security and compensation, advising trustees to adopt a “pragmatic and proportionate approach” to a highly technical area.

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    News

    Employers feel the squeeze of AE

    2016-02-10T00:00:00Z

    Employers are feeling the cost of providing auto-enrolment far more than scheme members, research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development has shown.

  • Opinion

    Funding and reinsurance emerge as biggest challenges on the road to buyout

    2016-01-28T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • News

    Enquiries spike ahead of lifetime allowance change

    2016-01-25T00:00:00Z

    As the deadline for members to take action looms, more savers are realising they might be affected by the planned reduction to the lifetime allowance, leading to a spike in customer enquiries at provider Fidelity.

  • Opinion

    The cost of a buy-in: A trio of factors dominate pricing

    2016-01-15T00:00:00Z

    Feature: Many more schemes are expected to explore derisking avenues such as buy-ins and buyouts in 2016, but whether to press ahead will come down to affordability, which hinges on at least three key factors.

  • News

    NI government offers early retirement to teachers aged 55+

    2016-01-06T00:00:00Z

    The Department of Education in Northern Ireland has approved a £33.1m scheme offering premature retirement terms to members over 55 years old to make space for new hires in the workforce.

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    News

    Testing market conditions greet 2016

    2016-01-05T00:00:00Z

    Market volatility is here to stay, experts have said, urging defined benefit trustees to assess their risk management frameworks and eliminate unintended exposures as the year kicks off.

  • Features

    The top 5 DC stories from 2015 reflect a challenging year

    2015-12-17T00:00:00Z

    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. 

  • Features

    Secondhand annuity market takes shape but risk of poor deals looms

    2015-12-16T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • Illustration by Ben Jennings
    Opinion

    Derisking dead ends

    2015-12-04T00:00:00Z

    Editorial: If you’re short of gift ideas for your favourite veteran trustee or scheme manager, the Pension Protection Fund’s Purple Book could be a good shout.