The Lafarge UK Pension Plan has entered into a longevity swap with a global reinsurance company, in a bid to reduce the scheme’s exposure to longevity risk.
The Weekly Wrap: February 16 edition
|
February 15, 2019
A round-up of the pensions news stories published across the FT Group this week, from Texas pensions turning to emerging managers, to Luxembourg's financial regulator developing robot supervisors.
How to beat volatility in 2019
|
February 13, 2019
Volatility made its grand return to many of the key markets in which pension funds invest assets towards the end of 2018, driven by geopolitical instability and fears that the end of a long business cycle may finally be nigh. 2017 seems a long way away. Angus Peters explores reasons to be cheerful despite the gloomy outlook.
UK schemes slash equities following long bull market
|
February 11, 2019
The global financial crisis gave rise to a record-long bull run, but in recent years many DB pension funds have been preparing for the inevitable end to these highs by reducing their reliance on equities.
Rising bond yields need not spell disaster for real assets
|
January 23, 2019
Investors will favour real asset classes offering growth potential in an environment of increasing bond yields, argues real asset analyst Vivienne Bolla.
Paid post
New criminal sanctions could be difficult to enforce, experts say
|
February 11, 2019
The government has said that it plans to go ahead with proposals for new criminal offences to prevent and penalise mismanagement of pension schemes, but enforcing these sanctions may prove challenging, experts say.
Comment & Analysis
How to beat volatility in 2019
|
February 13, 2019
Volatility made its grand return to many of the key markets in which pension funds invest assets towards the end of 2018, driven by geopolitical instability and fears that the end of a long business cycle may finally be nigh. 2017 seems a long way away. Angus Peters explores reasons to be cheerful despite the gloomy outlook.
As Pensions Expert becomes monthly, new pensions challenges emerge
|
February 12, 2019
Editorial: The level of complexity in the decisions made every day by trustees and pension scheme managers seems to ratchet up with every passing month. I hope our new magazine will allow these vital topics the depth they need, and retain the concise and analytical approach that has made the title so successful over its 20-year history.
Trustees must go the extra mile for their members on transfers
|
February 6, 2019
In her first article for Pensions Expert, new columnist and Financial Times pensions correspondent Josephine Cumbo says industry support for ‘scheme pays’ arrangements could help members avoid poor transfer advice.
Videos & Podcasts
How to approach the bulk annuity market
|
February 12, 2019
Podcast: 2019 is predicted to break last year's record for bulk annuity deals. But with insurers being more selective, experts have stressed the need for defined benefit pension scheme trustees to make sure they are well prepared before approaching the market. In this episode, Marian Elliott, head of integrated actuarial at consultancy Redington, discusses the main drivers behind increased derisking activity in recent years, and explains how pension funds should prepare for transactions.
ESG: Trustee investment duties explained
|
January 25, 2019
Podcast: New regulations coming into force this year mean pension schemes will be required to publish more-detailed statements of investment principles. These will address financially material environmental, social and governance risks, such as climate change. In this episode, Stuart O'Brien, a partner at law firm Sackers, discusses recent ESG-related developments, the danger of conflating ethical matters with ESG considerations, and explains how schemes can respond to member and pressure group queries.
A closer look at DB consolidation
|
January 9, 2019
Podcast: Last month, the government published a consultation on the consolidation of defined benefit pension schemes. What is the outlook for DB superfunds? And what should trustees consider if they are thinking about switching from a sponsor covenant to a consolidator covenant? In this episode, Alex Hutton-Mills, managing director at Lincoln Pensions, and Paul McGlone, president of the Society of Pension Professionals, discuss the consultation and whether early adopter nerves are holding back inflows to the new DB consolidators.