All Opinion articles – Page 11
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OpinionThe annual funding statement: Creating certainty from uncertainty
The release of the Pensions Regulator’s 2022 annual funding statement in April was set against a risk background quite different to that to which pension schemes have become accustomed.
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OpinionShould DC default funds take more risk?
There are powerful fiduciary justifications on both sides of the “risk” debate for defined contribution default funds. On the one hand, there is the argument in favour of more risk, because higher expected returns are most important.
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OpinionNew DB funding code should focus on transparency
The Pensions Regulator recently delayed its new code of practice on defined benefit scheme funding. It initially consulted with the industry in 2020 on the principles that should underpin the new code — a second consultation on the draft code is expected in late summer.
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OpinionGetting ready for the pensions dashboards
Although work on the design of the pensions dashboards has been ongoing for some time, trustees should now start preparing for their implementation.
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OpinionTPR: The Green Cross Code man
The Pensions Regulator, together with the Financial Conduct Authority and the Money and Pensions Service, has issued a warning to members of P&O’s defined benefit pension schemes.
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OpinionInflation fears could see schemes move to lock in equity gains
Many trustees will have witnessed some remarkable gains from their global equity allocations.
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OpinionA data with destiny
Some might think the whole premise for pensions dashboards is a step too far for an industry that for too long has not dealt with the complexities of data issues, often sweeping them under the carpet as a problem too far.
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OpinionBuilding portfolio resilience: Should schemes consider hedge funds?
While 2021 was another strong year for the equity and bond markets, the road ahead looks far less rosy and more uncertain.
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OpinionRoadmap to tackle the gender pensions gap
There may be some in the pensions industry who are unsure of whether the gender pensions gap is a problem at all.
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OpinionSchemes need to pay attention to members’ sustainable demands
In an interesting Pensions Expert article published in February, it was asserted that there is still a strong perception among trustees that investing in sustainability in pension funds is at odds with financial returns.
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OpinionThe future of pensions
Thornton T Munger, a pioneering research scientist, once said: “The habit of saving is itself an education.” Unfortunately, across the UK, this education is lacking.
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OpinionFixing shared parental leave policy can curve gender pensions gap
It is International Women’s Day, which means we will hear about the gender pay, investment and pensions gap and say something needs to be done about it; then move on again until next year.
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OpinionCoriolanus, war and the Universities Superannuation Scheme
Longer ago than I care to admit, I studied A-level English literature. My teacher was the late and frequently lamented Frank Unsworth; a teacher who also tutored Danny Boyle — he of Slumdog Millionaire fame, and who choreographed the opening ceremony to the 2012 Olympic Games — whom I have never met and who would not recognise me if he fell over me.
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OpinionLGPS funds should not join the Israel boycott movement
Pension scheme trustees are currently discussing one of the easiest divestment decisions they will ever have to make.
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OpinionUnprecedented DB scheme funding levels: Is this as good as it gets?
For the first time in nearly two decades, aggregate funding ratios for UK defined benefit schemes are at historic highs.
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OpinionThe PIPAs – no speeches required!
“You’re a judge for pension awards? Isn’t it just the sponsors that get the awards anyway?”
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OpinionUnlock pension power to unleash the economy of the future
If you have a pension — and fortunately most of us do but probably do not give it enough thought — chances are that it has a lot of predictable exposure to bonds and fixed income, the FTSE 100, and other major global indices.
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OpinionGetting the under-30s ready for retirement
For many under-thirties, saving for retirement can be far down their list of priorities, as they wrestle with sky-high rents and rising energy bills.
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OpinionWe need to be able to talk about menopause
I do not remember menopause being discussed much when I was younger. On the rare occasion that it was talked about, it was often in hushed tones or portrayed in some form of comedy sketch.
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OpinionHow to enhance the yield from your scheme’s CDI allocations
Pension schemes grappling with cash flow negativity have continued to focus on implementing cash flow-driven investment strategies to ensure they meet their member promises efficiently and in full.