More defined benefit news – Page 136
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Lack of consultant feedback threatens scheme governance
PLSA Investment Conference 2017: More than half of professional trustees and consultants rate their clients’ decision-making capabilities as acceptable or below, as industry figures have urged a rethinking of boardroom psychology.
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NewsTrustees must secure funding after GM sells Vauxhall to PSA
General Motors has announced the sale of Vauxhall to French car manufacturer PSA Group, but will retain responsibility for the company’s UK pension obligations, sparking concerns over the security of members' benefits.
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NewsPLSA ‘superfunds’ solution gets lukewarm reception
The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association is calling on the government to facilitate consolidation while creating a regulatory framework for the creation of superfunds, but the proposal has seen a muted response.
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NewsPLSA kick-starts year-long diversity debate to improve pensions
The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association is moving into new territory by starting a year-long focus on diversity with the aim of achieving better pensions, but has restricted its efforts to gender questions.
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Government to appeal ruling on discrimination
The government is set to appeal the employment tribunal’s recent verdict that more than 200 judges suffered discrimination as a result of pension changes. Meanwhile, the Fire Brigades Union is planning to challenge the result of a similar discrimination case, which it lost this year.
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BHS deal welcomed but views split over DB framework
Sir Philip Green will contribute £363m to a new pension scheme for former employees of BHS, under a settlement arrangement that achieves better outcomes for members than entry into the Pension Protection Fund.
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Buyouts more affordable but only for a handful of schemes
Buyouts have become more feasible as annuity pricing for non-pensioners has improved, but some experts say many schemes still have a long way to go before being able to afford a buyout or buy-in transaction.
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Pressure grows to provide pre-1997 inflation-proofing
Pensions minister Richard Harrington has demanded that the chief executives of companies including Hewlett Packard Enterprise and 3M explain their refusal to grant discretionary increases to members with benefits accrued before 1997.
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NewsThe jury is still out on robo-advice
The pensions industry must focus on technology and consumer engagement to keep up with changing demographics and work habits, but opinions are divided over whether robo-advice is the best solution.
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LGPS gets LTA and AA modelling tools, but tax complexity limits benefits
The Local Government Pension Scheme has introduced a check tool for members as the lifetime and annual allowances complicate life for those with large defined benefit pensions and higher salaries.
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'Greenest of green papers' explores DB sustainability options but lacks urgency
A wide-ranging government green paper is exploring a number of possible changes to improve the sustainability of defined benefit schemes, but although experts welcomed the variety of issues discussed, some noted a lack of urgency.
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NewsHenderson agrees recovery plan after funding fall
Investment manager Henderson Group has agreed a recovery plan with its trustees after its defined benefit scheme fell out of surplus at the latest triennial valuation.
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LPFA feels divestment pressure
The London Pensions Fund Authority is under pressure from London Mayor Sadiq Khan to divest entirely from fossil fuel holdings, but says it prefers working with companies and fund managers over divesting.
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NewsDiageo DB deadlock set to end after union split
Drinks company Diageo has avoided a strike by members of its defined benefit pension schemes after union members accepted a deal, bringing to an end months of back-and-forth.
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NewsDairy Crest churns up a new investment strategy
The Dairy Crest Pension Fund has derisked while restructuring its investment portfolio by moving away from UK investment grade credit and ‘going global’, as schemes continue to reassess the purpose of their credit exposures.
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NewsJohn Lewis slashes deficit with CPI switch
Retailer John Lewis has agreed a new recovery plan with the trustees of its defined benefit scheme after a large reduction in the funding deficit, due in part to a change in inflation indexing.
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Thames Ambulance dispute puts comms in the spotlight
A bitter dispute has broken out between Thames Ambulance Service and the GMB union over contributions to two pension schemes, with members feeling confused as to the security of their benefits.
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Greater flexibility needed to cope with growing longevity
The Department for Work and Pensions has called on employers to facilitate working at an older age so over-50s benefit from the same opportunities as their younger counterparts.
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Trustees overlook strategic objectives due to deficit distraction
Deficits distract the majority of trustees from focusing on the ultimate goal of paying members’ pensions, recent research has found, but some experts highlighted the role of covenant strength and scheme size in deciding where the priority should be.
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NewsIsle of Wight's outperformance vindicates active management
The Isle of Wight Pension Fund’s funding level jumped from 78 per cent to 92 per cent over three years, posting returns that reignite the debate over active and passive fund management.