All Nest articles – Page 9

  • Opinion

    Mastertrusts have the next milestone in sight

    2017-04-18T00:00:00Z

    Mastertrusts are on their way to becoming a dominant force in the UK pensions system, having woven themselves into the fabric of workplace defined contribution provision.

  • News

    DWP blocks Nest drawdown in favour of industry innovation

    2017-03-03T00:00:00Z

    The Department for Work and Pensions has decided against letting Nest offer drawdown after strong opposition emerged at consultation, opting instead to rely on industry innovation, but some have questioned whether the market will provide this.

  • Mark Fawcett
    Opinion

    Why Nest is factoring in climate change

    2017-02-27T00:00:00Z

    In 2015, Nest was one of more than 400 investors to sign the global investor statement on climate change as part of the Paris pledge for action. 

  • Opinion

    Is it time for DC defaults to embrace ESG?

    2017-02-22T00:00:00Z

    Large defined benefit funds and defined contribution mastertrusts have long been using their investments to engage with or divest from companies involved in controversial practices. Now, a renewed public focus on environmental, social and governance issues, as well as corporate reporting, could convince more to follow.

  • David Snowdon
    Opinion

    How will lifting the restrictions on Nest impact the mastertrust market?

    2017-02-17T00:00:00Z

    During the past 10 years, the mastertrust market has been more than just a little irrational. Despite mastertrusts being as effective a defined contribution solution then as they are now, between 2007 and 2012, just a handful of commercial mastertrusts were actively marketed in the UK. 

  • News

    Thames Ambulance dispute puts comms in the spotlight

    2017-02-03T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • Paul Budgen
    Opinion

    A clearer picture of AE default funds

    2016-12-20T00:00:00Z

    Next year marks the start of the busiest period for auto-enrolment. The pensions sector has a new year’s resolution to stage more than a million small employers.

  • Features

    Is there a place for smart beta in DC portfolios?

    2016-11-29T00:00:00Z

    Are smart beta products suitable for default defined contribution funds, or are they too complex? Could reduced volatility address problems with DC saving? AQR’s Scott Richardson, Capital Cranfield’s Jonathan Reynolds, RPMI Railpen’s Steve Artingstall, SpenceJohnson’s Robert Holford and Xerox HR Services’ Simon Hill discuss.

  • Paul Budgen
    Opinion

    Done right, re-enrolment can be an auto-enrolment MOT

    2016-11-07T00:00:00Z

    As we prepare for millions of smaller employers to start offering a workplace pension, we obviously can’t forget the thousands of employers, large and small, who have already done so.

  • Mark Fawcett
    Opinion

    How to get defaults and fund choice right for auto enrolment

    2016-10-24T00:00:00Z

    This month the Department for Work and Pensions calculated that by 2020, 10 million people will start saving, or saving more, due to auto-enrolment. They’ll soon collectively be putting away billions each year, mostly into default funds. 

  • News

    Nest drawdown proposals: Competitors fear disruption

    2016-10-07T00:00:00Z

    The dust has settled on government's call for evidence on the expansion of Nest into the drawdown market, but it seems the war of words between industry professionals is far from over.

  • Opinion

    Should Nest expand into decumulation?

    2016-10-03T00:00:00Z

    In July 2016, the Department for Work and Pensions launched a three-month consultation on the future of the Nest.

  • News

    More calls for education as lump sum figures raise questions

    2016-09-30T00:00:00Z

    Pensions education and default funds must be improved to ensure the success of auto-enrolment, experts have said, as findings raise questions about the risks members are taking.

  • Paul Todd
    Opinion

    Effective, responsible investment flows from clear objectives

    2016-08-19T00:00:00Z

    It is generally accepted that trustees have a clear duty to address all of the issues that could affect members’ pots, for better or worse, but in practice what does that include?

  • Opinion

    How bright is the future for AE – the DC Debate part 1

    2016-08-17T00:00:00Z

    In the third DC Debate of 2016, seven defined contribution experts reveal their thoughts on automatic contribution increases, small businesses which mean business, and the possibility of Nest entering the decumulation market.

  • News

    DWP calls for evidence on Nest decumulation services

    2016-07-08T00:00:00Z

    The Department for Work and Pensions has called for evidence on a proposal to allow Nest to provide decumulation services for its members, and to let it offer services to individuals, employers and other schemes.

  • Mark Fawcett
    Opinion

    What’s the point of target date funds?

    2016-06-20T00:00:00Z

    For most modern savers, retirement will not happen in one day. So where does this leave fund structures that manage investments to a target date? In pretty good shape, we say, depending on what you do within a target date fund structure.

  • David Snowdon
    Opinion

    Is this the mastertrust’s time?

    2016-06-14T00:00:00Z

    For years, the trust-based approach was the weapon of choice for consultants and actuaries advising employers and trustees on the move from defined benefit to defined contribution.

  • Will Sandbrook
    Opinion

    Putting the ‘trust’ in mastertrusts

    2016-05-05T00:00:00Z

    From the blog: Like the proverbial three bears, regulators face criticism if they deviate from carefully calibrated positions. Too ‘hot’ and undue costs could be placed on industry. Too ‘cold’ and consumers' protection can suffer.

  • Gavin Perera-Betts
    Opinion

    1.6m reasons why technology is key to auto-enrolment

    2016-04-19T00:00:00Z

    As our industry is busy preparing for the 1.6m small employers set to auto-enrol over the next two years, we are focused on the scale of the task before us. After all, we are halfway through the biggest shake-up to the pensions sector in our lifetimes.