All risk articles – Page 11
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News
Large employers to face higher PPF levy in 2021
On the go: The Pension Protection Fund is proposing changes to its levy risk assessment model, which will result in increased charges for larger employers.
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FeaturesShell drills for liquidity and slashes return-seeking assets post valuation
Trustees of the Shell Contributory Pension Fund have overhauled the scheme’s investment strategy following its latest valuation, introducing new allocations to investment-grade and highly liquid assets, while cutting the fund’s return-seeking portfolio exposure.
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NewsGMB members accept revised pension offer from Historic Royal Palaces
Staff working for Historic Royal Palaces have accepted a revised offer on pension provision, ending months of dispute between the independent charity and the GMB trade union over the closure of their defined benefit scheme.
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OpinionUSS dispute has exposed a transparency deficit
Brexit may be inflaming passions across the country, but away from the headlines an equally heated debate has been raging among scheme advisers, managers and members over the serious matter of how to value pensions.
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Features
Alternative risk premium funds fail to deliver on promises in testing 2018
Analysis: Pension schemes continue to pour assets into fast-growing alternative risk premium strategies, despite a torrid 2018 for returns and concerns over the diversification benefits delivered by the funds.
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FeaturesLafarge pension scheme enters into longevity swap to reduce risk
The Lafarge UK Pension Plan has entered into a longevity swap with a global reinsurance company, in a bid to reduce the scheme’s exposure to longevity risk.
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Features
UK schemes slash equities following long bull market
The global financial crisis gave rise to a record-long bull run, but in recent years many DB pension funds have been preparing for the inevitable end to these highs by reducing their reliance on equities.
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FeaturesDiageo offers PIE and writes to members after rise in DB transfers
The Diageo Pension Scheme is offering a pension increase exchange exercise to defined benefit pensioners, and has outlined plans to write to deferred and active members explaining transfer options, following a spike in members cashing out.
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NewsBritish Coal scheme taps into UK infrastructure
The British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme has introduced a new allocation to UK infrastructure and increased its exposure to private debt, as part of its focus on assets that provide diversification, good return prospects and high cash yields.
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News
600 Group completes buy-in ahead of scheme wind-up
UK engineering company 600 Group has derisked its 2,800-member defined benefit pension scheme with a $270m (£210m) buy-in policy from the Pension Insurance Corporation before moving to full buyout next year.
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OpinionWhat will LDI adoption look like over the next few years?
The task of guaranteeing the future financial security of scheme beneficiaries, while carefully navigating the unpredictable investment market, presents pension trustees with a difficult challenge.
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PodcastsPodcast: What does the future hold for LDI?
Podcast: The popularity of liability-driven investment strategies among defined benefit pension funds has increased over the years. In 2017, the total notional value of liabilities hedged by LDI strategies continued to grow, rising to £965bn from £904bn, according to XPS Pensions research. In this episode, Nick Harvey, principal at XPS Pensions, discusses how scheme exposure to LDI has changed over time, and what the future holds for this type of investment strategy.
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NewsCNPP micro section well poised for scheme buyout
The GPS EnergySolutions section of the Combined Nuclear Pension Plan is set to wind up, following months of buyout preparation with the trustees and employer.
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Opinion
Advertising transfer values: trustee duty or danger to members?
When trustees at the Rexam Pension Plan noticed a substantial spike in defined benefit transfers out of the scheme last year, it seemed like good news.
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PodcastsPodcast: How should trustees be monitoring their employer covenant?
Podcast: Over the last few years, headlines highlighting several high-profile defined benefit pension cases have hammered home the importance of having a strong covenant. Mark Evans, director at Independent Trustee Services, and Adolfo Aponte, director at covenant specialists Lincoln Pensions, explain how trustees can keep tabs on their employer.
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OpinionHow will the ageing population affect markets?
Of all the forces set to reshape the investment landscape over the coming decades, one stands above all others – the ageing of the world population.
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Opinion
DC Debate Q3: Getting the right amount of risk in defaults
In the first instalment of this quarter's DC Debate, five experts dive into the appropriate amounts of risk and diversification for defined contribution members at various points in their savings journey.
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OpinionThe rise and rise of factor investing
Data Crunch: Factor investing has attracted a lot of attention from the UK pensions industry. Defined benefit schemes have seen factors as a way to diversify their growth assets and achieve greater control of risk, while defined contribution schemes are exploring default investment strategies that may offer better value for money to their members.
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OpinionDWP consultation will force trustees to take notice of ESG
Pension trustees walk something of a tightrope these days, having to balance maximum short-term returns with being mindful of long-term factors that might affect future performance.
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OpinionChoose wisely – not all DGFs justify their fees
Diversified growth funds can be a liquid, low-governance way for smaller schemes to achieve asset diversification. However, their ability to add value from calling markets is questionable, and some funds waiting for a doomsday scenario are missing out on easy market returns.