More defined benefit news – Page 126

  • News

    UCU suspends strike action to scrutinise USS valuation

    2018-04-15T00:00:00Z

    The University and College Union has called to suspend all strike action after its members accepted an offer to examine the latest valuation.

  • News

    Pension questions raised after FirstGroup rejects takeover bid

    2018-04-13T00:00:00Z

    FirstGroup’s rejection of a hostile takeover approach from US private equity group Apollo Management has sparked discussion on pensions.

  • Getty Images
    News

    Associated British Ports consults on accrual change

    2018-04-12T00:00:00Z

    Associated British Ports has proposed to change the accrual rate for its defined benefit pension scheme, in a bid to cut costs and focus on fairness while keeping the scheme open to accrual.

  • News

    Select committee launches inquiry into DB white paper

    2018-04-12T00:00:00Z

    The Work and Pensions Committee has launched an inquiry into the government's recent white paper on defined benefit security and sustainability, asking how the proposed measures are likely to be most effective and whether legislation should be fast-tracked.

  • News

    DB deficits slip back up

    2018-04-10T00:00:00Z

    The UK's aggregate defined benefit deficit increased over March to £115.6bn from £72.1bn on a section 179 basis, according to Pension Protection Fund estimates.

  • News

    Choosing the right derisking path

    2018-04-09T00:00:00Z

    Analysis: Consultants say bulk annuity pricing has never been so attractive, yet the majority of pension schemes see self-sufficiency as their likely destiny. Who is wrong?

  • News

    TPR fires warning shot over dividend to DRC balance

    2018-04-05T00:00:00Z

    Defined benefit trustees and sponsoring employers should act sooner rather than later to secure members' pensions, the Pensions Regulator has said in its latest annual funding statement, and warned against prioritising dividends.

  • Tourist board employers block scheme valuation
    News

    Tourist board employers block scheme valuation

    2018-04-05T00:00:00Z

    The British Tourist Authority and VisitScotland have yet to sign off on their scheme’s 2015 valuation as they are looking to secure guarantees from the UK and Scottish governments, in what has been described as a “torturous” process.

  • News

    Ofwat queried on water companies' DB closure plans

    2018-03-29T00:00:00Z

    Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee Frank Field has written to Ofwat, the utilities regulator, about proposals by United Utilities and Anglia Water to close their defined benefit schemes to future accrual while continuing to pay out large amounts to shareholders.

  • News

    Nortel reaches PPF-plus after nine years of 'scorched earth'

    2018-03-28T00:00:00Z

    The UK Nortel Pension Scheme has retrieved enough assets from the insolvency of its communications giant parent to buy out benefits at a level above that guaranteed by the Pension Protection Fund.

  • News

    Parliamentary scheme elects alternative credit

    2018-03-28T00:00:00Z

    The Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund has introduced a new allocation to alternative credit to further diversify the scheme’s portfolio of return-seeking assets.

  • News

    CWU members vote for Royal Mail deal

    2018-03-28T00:00:00Z

    The Communication Workers Union has announced that its members have overwhelmingly voted in favour of a deal with Royal Mail over pensions and pay.

  • News

    Industry welcomes FCA transfer advice rules

    2018-03-26T00:00:00Z

    The Financial Conduct Authority has published new rules on pension transfer advice following its research that showed a high proportion of advice was not suitable. It is also seeking views on contingent charging among others. The industry has welcomed the additional clarity provided in this area.

  • News

    The Pension SuperFund: Benevolent disruptor or danger to members?

    2018-03-22T00:00:00Z

    If assembling a star-studded team of executives is enough to get a radical new pensions proposition off the ground, Edi Truell might already have done enough to disrupt the UK defined benefit sector.

  • News

    BT agrees to replace DB with ‘hybrid' scheme

    2018-03-21T00:00:00Z

    BT has announced the closure of its defined benefit scheme and has agreed to develop a ‘hybrid’ solution with the Communication Workers Union.

  • News

    PwC probed on Carillion fees and conflicts

    2018-03-21T00:00:00Z

    MPs have grilled PwC partners on fees and the safeguards the accountancy firm put in place to prevent conflicts of interest arising from its various roles regarding collapsed contractor Carillion.

  • News

    UK sees launch of first superfund

    2018-03-20T00:00:00Z

    The UK is seeing the launch of its first so-called superfund, designed to consolidate defined benefit schemes, with an initial £500m of capital subject to transaction approvals. 

  • News

    DB white paper promises tougher fines and consolidation drive

    2018-03-19T00:00:00Z

    Employers who wilfully or recklessly put their defined benefit pension schemes at risk are in the firing line of new punitive fines announced in a government policy statement released on Monday.

  • News

    BT sweetens DB closure with promise of 'hybrid' scheme

    2018-03-19T00:00:00Z

    BT has announced the closure of its defined benefit scheme and agreed to work with the Communication Workers Union over a forthcoming ‘hybrid’ solution.

  • News

    Govt says it has learnt from BSPS saga

    2018-03-19T00:00:00Z

    Lessons "can and will be" learnt from the British Steel Pension Scheme events, the government has said, but stands by the outcome involving a regulated apportionment arrangement and new pension scheme.