All articles by Sarah Cowburn – Page 6
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News
Welsh funds reach impasse on asset-pooling plans
Welsh local authority pension funds have made progress on mapping the road towards pooling their assets, but along with their peers are awaiting further details on the criteria around governance, size and cost.
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Features
What prep have trustees made ahead of any tax changes?
Any Other Business: John McDonnell has laid bare his plans to end austerity and tackle the deficit by taxing the rich.
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Features
Smiths Group claws back deficit after 8-year fight
Technology and engineering conglomerate Smiths Group has reported a significant improvement in the funding position of its defined benefit pension schemes after pursuing a stringent eight-year derisking campaign.
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FeaturesAG Barr girds funding journey via asset-backed move
Irn-Bru owner AG Barr’s pension scheme deficit deteriorated by £18.4m in the year to January, but it anticipates key manoeuvres including an asset-backed funding plan will support its long-term funding position.
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NewsPPF: 'Steady as she goes' approach for 2016/17 levy
The Pension Protection Fund has revised down its aggregate levy requirement for 2016/2017 but has urged schemes to continue to focus on risk reduction.
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Opinion
What the low-carbon drive means for UK pension funds
Analysis: As the divestment movement garners legislative backing in the US, how should UK pension funds respond to the long-term risks of holding fossil fuel stocks?
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News
Airport owner puts LGPS membership under review in cost-cutting drive
The owner of Durham Tees Valley Airport is undertaking a review of the aviation hub's membership of Teesside Pension Fund and overall benefits structure in a wider push to curb company losses.
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FeaturesDealing with firebrands on scheme boards
Any Other Business: Jeremy Corbyn romped to victory in the Labour leadership campaign over the weekend, prompting widespread resignations from senior party members unwilling to work under the left-wing veteran backbencher.
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News
How scrapping short-service refunds affects DC and employer costs
Trustees and sponsors of workplace defined contribution schemes need to review their scheme rules, administrative processes and member communications to reflect the abolition of short-service refunds on October 1.
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News
S.Yorks misses deadline as admin woes heap pressure on LGPS
Teething issues following an administration overhaul at South Yorkshire Pensions Authority has delayed the delivery of members’ annual statements, amid a challenging backdrop of wider fundamental reform across the Local Government Pension Scheme.
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News‘Mindset shift’ in FTSE 100 battle to reduce DB risks
FTSE 100 defined benefit schemes flooded into bonds in 2014 but persistent deficits are forcing many schemes to seek opportunities for risk reduction within growth-seeking assets.
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NewsPolice investigation highlights need for internal scheme checks
The protection of scheme assets against internal fraud should be a top priority for administrators and trustees, experts have said, following the arrest of an employee on suspicion of a scheme-related theft.
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News
Regulator flags DLR case to tackle inaction on late valuations
The Pensions Regulator has taken the unusual step of publishing details of how it responds when schemes miss their valuation deadlines in an attempt to underscore the need for constructive dialogue between trustees and sponsors.
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FeaturesDB closures 'storing up issues' for DC
News Analysis: The closure of defined benefit pension schemes may alleviate a significant financial burden, but experts have urged employers to think carefully about the long-term impact of the replacement arrangements chosen for affected employees.
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News
East Riding moves deeper into niche alts in hunt for yield
East Riding Pension Fund has pushed further into the alternatives space over the past 12 months with an £80m investment in social housing plus increased allocations to aircraft leasing and healthcare royalties.
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News
Between two boards: Balancing the dual roles of exec and trustee
The broader experience of financial directors and company executives may enhance pension trustee boards' insight and understanding, but conflicts of interest should be carefully managed.
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NewsKingfisher locks in gains as funding hits triggers
Kingfisher pension scheme has continued to progress towards its 2030 buyout target with a £150m shift from return-seeking to matching assets after tipping into surplus.
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News
Run affordable risk, say experts
Schemes must not run more risk than they can afford, say experts, as UK private sector defined benefit deficits rocket to £900bn.
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FeaturesManaging relationships with your auditor
Any other business: Having your scheme audited might feel like getting teeth pulled but like the dentists of this world, auditors are a necessary evil.
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Opinion
Transaction charges: What? Why? When?
From the blog: Debate about the disclosure of transaction charges has made waves across the pensions industry this year. Will the autumn bring a fresh set of challenges and paperwork for trustees and independent governance committees? Or is it possible to draw answers from information already out there?