All Opinion articles – Page 45
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OpinionThe best way to harness illiquidity
Pension schemes are facing tough times. In June, the Pension Protection Fund reported that 74 per cent of defined benefit schemes were in deficit, and this situation has been exacerbated by a prolonged low interest rate environment.
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OpinionSavings not sweets
Editorial: Employees value and want a workplace pension. What’s more: young people are more likely to recognise the need for a pension.
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OpinionWill the FCA market study revolutionise pensions?
The Financial Conduct Authority’s asset management market study is finally with us, but despite the dramatic headlines, the final report turned out not to be the ‘game changer’ that some hoped for and others feared.
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Opinion
What should trustees look for in a DGF manager?
What should schemes look for in a diversified growth fund manager? Shuntao Li from Barnett Waddingham, Murray Taylor from JLT Employee Benefits, Neil McPherson from Capital Cranfield, Naomi L’Estrange from 2020 Trustees and Percival Stanion from Pictet Asset Management discuss how to go about selecting a DGF manager, and whether there is conflict between some consultants and the DGF model.
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OpinionWill the regulator's new interventionism work?
In its 2017 annual funding statement, the Pensions Regulator announced its intention to intervene more frequently in the running of defined benefit pension schemes by sponsors and trustees.
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OpinionHow consultants can prepare for scheme consolidation
The pensions industry, particularly the segment dealing with defined benefit schemes, is notoriously fragmented. In the UK alone there are more than 6,000 pension funds. From a macroeconomic perspective this does not make much sense.
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OpinionThe challenge of moving from inert to engaged
Nearly five years on from its launch, automatic enrolment has, so far, been a success.
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Opinion
Could improved understanding revive the annuity?
Analysis: Many savers have been reluctant to purchase an annuity following the government’s introduction of freedom and choice in 2015, but should they be nudged to reconsider their options?
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OpinionOver-75s should benefit from tax relief
From the blog: Life expectancy is on the increase and with it people’s appetite for working longer. The range of flexible decumulation options is also growing.
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OpinionAn industry under pressure
It had to happen at some point: the Financial Conduct Authority has set its sights on the investment consulting market.
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OpinionAre real assets the answer for cash flow negative schemes?
As more schemes think about how to invest for cash flow, real assets appear well placed to fill the space. But how are concerns over liquidity addressed, and what are the latest developments in the infrastructure market? Five experts share their views.
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Opinion
How much risk comes with real asset investing?
How can trustees know the risk characteristics of their real asset investments, and how do property and infrastructure compare? Barry Fowler from Aviva Investors, Anish Butani from bfinance, Vassos Vassou from Dalriada Trustees, Gerald Wellesley from HR Trustees and Danny Vassiliades from Punter Southall discuss.
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Opinion
How are DGFs being used in DC?
How are defined contribution schemes using diversified growth funds, and what roles do member engagement and cost constraints play? Naomi L’Estrange from 2020 Trustees, Shuntao Li from Barnett Waddingham, Neil McPherson from Capital Cranfield, Murray Taylor from JLT Employee Benefits, and Percival Stanion from Pictet Asset Management discuss DGFs in DC and the issue of fees.
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OpinionPension transfers – ensuring advice is fit for purpose
Last week, we proposed changes to our rules and guidance that apply when advising on pension transfers. Transfers from defined benefit schemes to defined contribution schemes continue to be a hot topic with extensive media coverage in recent months. There have also been a number of developments in this market.
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OpinionWhat are the obstacles to DB consolidation?
The UK government, multiple industry figures, and many of those within the pensions world have been highlighting the virtues of consolidation as one possible solution to the UK’s defined benefit deficits.
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OpinionGDPR: Why trustees need to take notice
Significant changes to data protection law are due to come into force on May 25 2018 in the form of a new EU General Data Protection Regulation.
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OpinionSchemes need certainty on VAT
The VAT rules in relation to pension scheme costs are subject to change at the end of this year. However, it is still not clear what the extent of the changes will be and, importantly, what organisations should do in response.
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OpinionBetween the lines
Editorial: Was it because she needed to be at Ascot later that day that the Queen’s Speech seemed shorter this time?
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Opinion
How do trustees choose the 'right' consultant?
The Financial Conduct Authority’s final report on the asset management market revealed that the investment consulting sector has not escaped the watchdog’s scrutiny, but pinning down criteria for a good consultant is not easy.
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OpinionPensions must not be a matter of luck
The scheduled review of auto-enrolment will have many interesting issues to address, but there has already been some industry criticism that its scope is too narrow.