All articles by Tom Dines – Page 10
-
Features
Lancashire drops bonds in favour of equity, credit and infrastructure
While everyone acknowledges the incredibly high price of gilts in the current environment, which is wreaking havoc with pension scheme funding levels, few have taken the controversial move of getting rid of their allocation to bonds altogether.
-
News
Employers need government support to lead on engagement
Workers yearn for employer guidance on pensions but still lack understanding, leading some experts to call for the government and pensions industry to help employers use their influential position to promote saving.
-
NewsChurch of England targets US private loans in bid to divine 7% returns
The Church of England Pensions Board is “on the cusp” of making an allocation to private credit in the USA, as it seeks returns uncorrelated to equities.
-
News
Debt is inextricably linked to 'adequate' retirement incomes
Personal debt is a significant blindspot in the method used for determining 'adequate' retirement incomes, research suggests, as data from overseas show indebtedness will play an increasingly important role in retirees' needs.
-
News
Defying criticism: The other burden of being a lay trustee
Any Other Business: Lawyers, actuaries, professional trustees. The world of pensions is so full of highly specialised roles it can seem bizarre so much of the decision-making comes down to elected trustees who may have no experience with pensions.
-
Opinion
The science behind DC redesign
DC Investment Quarterly: The introduction of freedom and choice and the charge cap this year marked two profound changes to the defined contribution marketplace, affecting both what DC investment products will be expected to deliver and the limits within which they have to deliver them.
-
FeaturesMorrisons delivers £150m property assets to secure scheme funding
Supermarket chain Morrisons has transferred a further £150m worth of property into an asset-backed funding vehicle in a bid to improve security for its pension scheme.
-
NewsFreedom variability distorts member behaviour, FCA study shows
Data from the Financial Conduct Authority has shown drastic changes in how consumers access their pensions since the introduction of the flexibilities, though experts have said difficulty accessing some options may have skewed consumer choices.
-
News
PPF-plus compromise deals expected to rise
‘Compromise’ deals designed to secure benefits above lifeboat levels could increase over the next couple of years, as deficit reduction pressures continue to squeeze schemes and their sponsors’ balance sheets.
-
NewsGranada appeal threatens contingent asset arrangements
Broadcaster Granada is appealing a High Court ruling in an attempt to recover £40m of gilts from one of its pension schemes, but lawyers say the case could jeopardise other employers’ non-cash contributions.
-
NewsThe Pensions Trust reboots website in response to new rules
The Pensions Trust has relaunched its website with more tools and information for members, employers and advisers, as schemes look for ways to engage members amid an increasingly complex pensions landscape.
-
News
Minimum wage hike threatens employer contributions
Pension provision could suffer under the higher minimum wage being introduced next year as employer industry bodies say companies are looking at the wider rewards package in an attempt to claw back costs.
-
News
Charity puts centre up for sale to cover LGPS costs
The Multiple Sclerosis Society is to sell a support centre to meet the cost of its local government pension scheme membership, the latest charity to sell assets to cover defined benefit costs.
-
Features
The big sell: How to attract new trustees to a scheme
Any Other Business: The role of pension trustee has grown in complexity over recent years and has become too daunting a task for many, but some schemes are finding new ways to lure fresh blood to the role.
-
News
Cash leads the way on freedoms but further flux predicted
More than half of the £2.5bn withdrawn by pension savers in the three months since April has been paid out in cash lump sums, but experts predict consumers will shift their focus towards more sophisticated products.
-
News
Invensys extends Pie to pensioners
Invensys Pension Scheme is expanding its pension increase exchange offering to retired members, as the company plans a bulk exercise for dependants and pensioners.
-
News
Longevity v interest rates – which poses the biggest risk for schemes?
Rising life expectancy poses a greater risk to UK corporate pension schemes than low interest rates, a report this week has suggested, but some industry experts have challenged the finding.
-
NewsCambridge uni scheme scrutinises opt-outs in prep for re-enrolment
Cambridge University Assistants’ Contributory Pension Scheme is examining the causes of opt-outs as it prepares to re-enrol members into its hybrid scheme next year.
-
News
BBC to lay on financial advice for members looking at transfers
The BBC is to offer paid-for independent financial advice to help members get the most from the pension freedoms, in particular to support those considering transferring their assets.
-
NewsBlack Monday underscores need for robust strategies
Proactive investment strategies are key for protecting schemes in times of high volatility, experts have said, as ripples from the Chinese market rout reinforce the need for scheme triggers.