All articles by Tom Dines – Page 18
-
News
WMPF takes next step towards paperless comms
The West Midlands Pension Fund is taking the next step towards paperless member communications by issuing its 2015 benefit statement online only, as more schemes move further towards digital portals to reduce costs.
-
Features
Imerys consults on ceasing DB accrual after merger
Mineral specialist Imerys is undertaking a consultation to cease accrual in its defined benefit pension scheme, following the completion of a scheme merger earlier this year.
-
News
Experts call for Dutch-style information standards
Industry experts have called for the standardisation of pension scheme information, in the style of the uniform pension overviews found in the Netherlands.
-
Opinion
Learning from Pimco: Has your scheme got a key-man risk?
Asset manager Pimco has been making headlines for the past week after the departure of chief investment officer Bill Gross, the so-called bond king.
-
News
Lothian reports on governance reform
Lothian Pension Fund has completed the first full year of governance reforms designed to increase representation for stakeholders and strengthen processes.
-
News
Taskforce recommends social impact investment for DC
Defined contribution pension schemes should offer members the option to include social impact investments in their portfolio, a government-led taskforce has said, but consultants foresee barriers to take-up.
-
News
How scrapping 55% 'death tax' could affect your DB scheme
Consultants have again predicted greater interest in transfers out of defined benefit schemes following the proposed removal of inheritance tax on pension pots, while others doubted the changes would have much impact.
-
News
Kent banks £150m to take equity gains, predicting volatility
Kent Pension Fund has moved £150m of its equity holdings into cash and increased its allocation to property, as it seeks to capture gains ahead of anticipated volatility.
-
News
Consultants call for more flexible DC retirement products
Industry figures have called for flexibility to be built in to defined contribution solutions, as the first post-Budget products aimed at members looking to draw down income at retirement reach the market.
-
News
Three in four DB schemes sizing up post-Budget incentive exercises
Benefit consultants have reported that as many as three-quarters of their defined benefit scheme clients are considering incentive exercises to reduce their risks following the introduction of the Budget freedoms.
-
News
Corporate schemes catching public sector on infra
Corporate schemes are catching up with their public sector counterparts in accessing the illiquidity premium of infrastructure investments, taking an increasing share of a growing asset class.
-
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.
-
News
How lifting Nest restrictions could affect the market
The lifting of restrictions on contributions and transfers to state-backed mastertrust Nest will make it more compelling for employers, but a rival mastertrust has called for oversight of its funding arrangements.
-
Opinion
Break up or make up? How to handle a split with your advisers
In trying to get the best outcomes for members, schemes may have to dump advisers from time to time. This can be costly, stressful and time-consuming, so what is the best way to ensure a smooth transition?
-
News
TPAS: 'Joined-up' guidance guarantee essential
The Pensions Advisory Service has said those organisations tasked with delivering the guidance guarantee should be “joined up” with the adviser community to improve member outcomes.
-
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.
-
News
Vodafone revisits scheme comms after bringing onboard 6,200 members
Vodafone is reviewing its communication strategy after a significant increase in the size of its defined contribution pension plan following auto-enrolment and an influx of members from its Cable & Wireless acquisition.
-
News
Tax changes: how they affect scheme rules
Schemes have been urged to move quickly to prepare for forthcoming changes to pension tax legislation, with the new ‘uncrystallised funds pension lump sum’ expected to prove popular among members.
-
Features
Royal Mail rachets up hedging derivatives to reduce risk
The Royal Mail Pension Plan has extended liability hedging in its portfolio by substantially boosting its use of swaps and gilt repurchase agreements, as it seeks to reduce risk in the scheme.
-
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.