All scheme funding articles – Page 29
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Features
Caterpillar scheme delays derisking over stock volatility concerns
Caterpillar Pension Plan has postponed a decision to cut its equity exposure to increase its liability-driven investment allocation as a result of concerns over stock market volatility.
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Opinion
Five key charts from the PPF's Purple Book
Flying in the face of almost everything else pensions-related this year, the latest annual edition of the Pension Protection Fund's Purple Book revealed few if any big shocks.
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Features
RSPB scheme migrates to contingent assets to underpin 17-year recovery plan
The bird protection charity RSPB has set up a £56.4m contingent asset agreement with its pension scheme as part of a wider effort to reduce the funding deficit.
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News
Channel 4 looks to shut off DB accrual to quell deficit increase
Channel 4 plans to close its defined benefit pension scheme after its deficit more than tripled, having paused its consultation to give members a chance to understand the personal impact of the changes.
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Features
USS revamps covenant assessment model in face of funding challenge
The Universities Superannuation Scheme has opted for a more thorough covenant assessment due to changes in higher education funding and an expected increase in its deficit from this year’s triennial valuation.
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News
Risk management key trustee challenge as complexity criticised
An industry survey has shown understanding risk is the biggest challenge for defined benefit pension scheme trustees, sparking debate over whether trustees need more sophistication, or whether scheme choices need simplifying.
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Features
Diageo tips into matching assets after hitting trigger
Diageo Pension Scheme has switched 5 per cent of its assets from its growth to its matching portfolio after hitting a derisking trigger, tipping its investment balance towards holdings that track liabilities.
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NewsRegulator nets £184m from Lehmans as cases treble
The Pensions Regulator’s unprecedented £184m settlement for the members of the Lehman Brothers pension scheme is its biggest trophy in a growing anti-avoidance campaign, with the number of investigations trebling since last year.
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News
IASB proposal could hit sponsor-scheme funding strategies
A proposed change to pensions accounting guidance around surpluses could lead to trustees having to renegotiate their financing arrangements with employers and shifting towards non-cash vehicles.
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News
Interest rate uncertainty a concern for employer covenants
Interest rate rises could have a negative effect on covenant strength as some companies are forced to refinance at higher rates, advisers have said, and trustees should keep a watching brief to mitigate any resultant impact on their sponsors' ability to pay scheme contributions.
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FeaturesRBS reviews recovery plan as interest rates hurt funding level
The Royal Bank of Scotland has extended its pension fund recovery plan and increased contributions following a slip in the funding level.
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Opinion
Employer growth emphasis will separate the wheat from the chaff
The Pensions Regulator's announcement of the need for schemes to take into account an employer’s ability to grow followed intense lobbying on the government to give employers more flexibility on the timing of contributions.
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Opinion
Last DB schemes standing: A snapshot of FTSE 100 benefits
Consultancy LCP yesterday released its Accounting for Pensions 2014 report giving an insight into the pension arrangements of some of the country's biggest companies. The report at times paints a bleak picture for defined benefit schemes.
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News
Church of England scheme boosts funding level with 20% equity growth
The Church of England Funded Pension Scheme has seen an improvement in its funding level thanks to asset outperformance, in particular from equities, as it looks to increase its illiquid asset holdings.
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News
Invensys terminates reservoir trust as surplus grows
Invensys Pension Scheme has exceeded full funding on a technical provisions basis and has taken the unusual step of terminating a reservoir trust that was set up to provide funding security after the employer was purchased.
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Features
Vodafone scheme completes CWW merger with £325m employer payment
Vodafone has contributed £325m to its defined benefit scheme as it completes the transfer of the Cable & Wireless Worldwide Retirement Plan, after purchasing the rival telecoms company in 2012.
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News
BBC plan sees slight deficit improvement as contributions bed in
The BBC has seen a small improvement in its accounting pension deficit as it embarks upon a 12-year plan of additional contributions to boost its scheme funding.
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News
Court of Appeal upholds crown guarantee for BT Pension Scheme
The court of appeal has ruled to uphold a crown guarantee given to the BT Pension Scheme, making the government responsible for ongoing liabilities should the employer fail.
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Features
Barking and Dagenham plans social housing investment to hedge inflation
The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Pension Fund plans to invest around £25m in social housing in order to hedge against inflation and diversify away from traditional assets.
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NewsPearson scheme reaches full funding due to increased employer contributions
The defined benefit section of the Pearson Group Pension Plan has reached close to 100 per cent funding less than 18 months after agreeing a reduction in the length of its recovery plan.