All articles by Sophia Imeson – Page 12
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OpinionWe need action on cold-calling now
From the blog: We live in an age in which the internet finds something to promote or celebrate every day, week or month, from cupcakes to allotments. Believe it or not, there is even a world egg day.
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News
FCA cites ways to crank up consumer protection amid competition concerns
The rising number of consumers who buy drawdown without advice has given prominence to the need for greater support and protection, says the Financial Conduct Authority.
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News
Locum GPs call for pensions admin overhaul
Locum GPs are calling for an overhaul of their pensions administration as sporadic correspondence and scant communication cause confusion.
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News
Taylor review urges action on increasing AE coverage
The Matthew Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices highlights ways in which self-employed people could be helped to save for retirement, but questions remain.
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Features
Deficits have dropped, but how should schemes react?
Analysis: While there has been a recent improvement in defined benefit pension fund deficits, market volatility, weak covenants and increasing longevity mean trustees should continue to keep a tight rein on risk and cost management.
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News
Cridland: Longevity as big an issue as climate change
Savers need to be more aware of the consequences of an ageing population on retirement saving, with providers, regulators and employers all having a part to play in improving engagement, say experts.
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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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NewsGauke calls for government and industry collaboration
In his first speech as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, David Gauke called for consensus and collaboration to ensure a positive future for pensions, but admitted that it will take time to address some of the more challenging policy issues, from pensions tax relief to extending auto-enrolment to the self-employed.
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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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FeaturesLeics sees opportunity in bank loans investment
Leicestershire County Council Pension Fund has committed to a new capital release fund investment as part of its growing opportunity pool allocation, as banks look to free up capital.
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NewsRegulator’s BHS report focuses on areas of improvement
The Pensions Regulator has highlighted the lessons it has learnt from the BHS case in a recently published regulatory intervention report, as experts stress the need for more proactive engagement.
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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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News
Triple lock to be retained in Tory-DUP deal
The Conservatives and the Democratic Unionist Party have struck a deal to maintain the triple lock, sparking concerns over what this means for pensions policy in the long term.
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NewsFCA transfer proposals welcomed but timeline draws criticism
The Financial Conduct Authority’s new proposals on pension transfers have been widely welcomed across the industry, but concerns around the 2018 implementation of the final rules remain.
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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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Opinion
How are DB schemes allocating to DGFs?
How are defined benefit pension schemes using diversified growth funds in their portfolios, and how can trustees choose between the various strategies on offer? Naomi L’Estrange from 2020 Trustees, Shuntao Li from Barnett Waddingham, Neil McPherson from Capital Cranfield, Murray Taylor from JLT Employee Benefits, and Percival Station from Pictet Asset Management discuss how pension funds are approaching DGFs.
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FeaturesPearson moves away from hedge funds into DGFs
The pension plan of publishing giant Pearson Group has scrapped its hedge fund exposure and invested in diversified growth funds, in a bid to control investment risk and costs as the scheme nears self-sufficiency.
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News
Employers urged to actively manage covenant
Employers and schemes must take a more active approach to managing their pension liabilities to improve covenant strength, experts say.
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Features
Addressing career flexibility could help tackle gender pensions gap
The gender pay gap is a multi-faceted problem that needs a multi-pronged approach, experts say — from financial education to adapting the pensions system to assist flexible working.
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Features
Imperial Tobacco fund sharpens returns focus
The Imperial Tobacco Pension Fund has cut its exposure to shares and corporate bonds in favour of alternative asset classes, with a view to increasing the scheme’s sources of return and reducing reliance on equities.