All Mercer articles – Page 13
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Opinion
Why buy-ins/buyouts are not always the right answer
Pension schemes funding positions are notoriously volatile and deficits have increased significantly over the last decade.
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News
Micro scheme membership slumps as market consolidates
Data analysis: The total membership of small schemes with between two and 11 members has fallen by two-thirds over recent years as the market consolidates and auto-enrolment beds in.
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Features
Encouraging trustees to embrace sustainability
News analysis: Industry experts are coming up with inventive ways to help schemes allocate more of their assets towards sustainable and responsible investments, but pension funds are lagging behind.
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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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News
MNOPF increases contributions to secure benefits
The Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund has increased employer and member contributions to the new section of its defined benefit scheme to strengthen its ability to pay future benefits.
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News
United Utilities: charge cap could shield members
United Utilities' pension manager has voiced support for a cap on fees as it would protect default fund members from the decisions of their smaller and potentially less well-informed employers.
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NewsInvestment peaks as schemes buy cheaper gilts
News analysis: UK pension funds hit a record of £17bn of net investments during the second quarter, largely as a result of schemes taking advantage of lower bond prices, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.
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NewsHow Molson Coors built flexibility into its default
Molson Coors UK Pension Plan has chosen dynamic asset allocation for its default fund to more effectively respond to market fluctuations.
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News
Scheme grabs chance to hedge inflation risk
Marsh & McLennan Companies UK Pension Fund has increased its interest and inflation rate hedge for its defined benefit scheme, to help protect its funding position against fluctuations in rates.
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News
Members need push to use scheme calculators
The use of pension charges calculators to inform members has become the norm for pension funds, industry experts say, but member engagement is still low.
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News
YMCA launches derisking strategy to improve funding level
YMCA Pension Plan has launched a derisking strategy to match “more closely” its allocation approach and liability profile, and has appointed a delegated manager to oversee nearly all of its portfolio.
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NewsTwo in five schemes use multi-asset to fight volatility
Data analysis: The use of multi-asset products has increased as schemes look to mitigate market volatility with the product, which promises equity-like returns with downside protection, investment data show.
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News
Small schemes offered off-the-peg buyouts to speed up derisking
Small schemes will be offered standarised buyouts to decrease the time and cost associated with bespoke bulk annuity purchases, a model that has gained popularity in the buy-in market.
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NewsGilt investment reaches post-crisis peak at £22bn
Schemes have ramped up their investment in gilts and index-linked gilts over the past couple of years in an attempt to shore up their pension promises, data from the Office for National Statistics have shown.
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NewsTrinity Mirror sizes up target date fund default
Trinity Mirror is to launch a staff survey to find out whether target date funds are appropriate to all of its employees as the company approaches auto-enrolment.
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News
Three out of four schemes to mitigate volatility
The use of volatility-reducing strategies has increased as schemes look to dampen the impact of current market conditions on portfolios, according to investment data.
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News
Survey: half of DC schemes failing investment duty
Data analysis: Consultants have raised concerns over a lack of investment focus from defined contribution schemes, after research found little more than half of schemes had recently reviewed their investment principles.
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Opinion
How real assets fit into your inflation battle
‘Uncharted territory’ is the common presage increasingly heard across the industry whenever inflation and pensions are uttered in the same breath.
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NewsAlternative assets hit plateau due to 'idea fatigue'
European schemes' interest in alternative assets has ceased its upward climb, with no improvement in uptake from last year, according to survey data.
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Opinion
Schemes hold off infrastructure investment while Pip develops
Continued deliberation over the Pensions Infrastructure Platform is slowing overall investment in the asset class as schemes await detail on how the initiative will be set up, investment experts have reported.