All Actuarial articles – Page 10
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News
UCU calls 8-day pensions strike affecting 60 universities
On the go: University staff will walk out at 60 of the UK's higher-education institutions later this month, after a conflict between unions and bosses on pensions and pay failed to reach a resolution.
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NewsLGPS 2019 valuation to see new pressures on affordability
Addressing a room of stakeholders in the Local Government Pension Scheme, Jeff Houston has some good news and some bad news on the scheme’s 2019 valuation.
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OpinionTurkeys don’t vote for Christmas
Too much of the pensions industry serves its own interests rather than those of its members, says CEM Benchmarking’s John Simmonds. The problem, he argues, lies in the role of scale. But is bigger truly better when it comes to pensions?
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News
DB deficit spikes as hedging continues to be vindicated
On the go: The defined benefit liabilities of the UK's largest companies shot up by £30bn at the end of August, according to Mercer, as a slump in corporate bond yields refocuses trustee minds on immunising risk.
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News
UCU 'confident' universities will strike over pensions
The majority of university staff will vote for strike action on pensions unless their employers concede to lowering contributions to the Universities Superannuation Scheme closer to 8 per cent, the University and College Union has said.
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Features
Pension deficit red flags could shake shareholder confidence
Data crunch: Companies with large defined benefit pension deficits risk seeing their share price drop as investors stay away, after equity analysts raised questions over whether their pension plans need urgent topping up.
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News
Regulator hits back over influence on USS valuation
The Pensions Regulator has defended its record over the Universities Superannuation Scheme, after the Work and Pensions Committee questioned the regulator’s role in USS’s contested 2017 valuation.
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NewsUCU threaten autumn strikes after USS whistleblowing
The University and College Union has outlined a timetable for industrial action at UK universities later this year, demanding concrete action from employers to improve pay and secure pensions.
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News
TPR expresses 'grave concerns' over USS funding proposal
On the go: In a leaked email to Universities Superannuation Scheme, The Pensions Regulator has expressed “grave concerns” over an option for finalising its 2018 valuation that could delay funding pressures into the future.
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Features
Wesbroom: Actuaries must now stand up to public scrutiny
Kevin Wesbroom has his work cut out bringing his CV up to date.
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FeaturesUSS targets steady returns with KCom investment
The actions of bellwether schemes like the £64bn Universities Superannuation Scheme are always closely watched, but scrutiny on USS is particularly acute after widespread strike action last year. Last month, the UK’s largest private plan agreed a £504m cash takeover of telecoms business KCom.
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News
STV agrees new £127m DB funding package
On the go: Scottish broadcaster STV has agreed to pay off its £127m defined benefit pension deficit over 12 years, including additional contributions if its cash flow improves, after completing triennial valuations of its schemes.
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News
Ongoing data problems spark valuation concerns at Barnet
Poor quality pensions data at the London Borough of Barnet Pension Fund have sparked concerns that the scheme’s triennial valuation could be derailed or delayed.
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NewsEmployers and academics rail against new USS contribution rate
Employers and workers alike have expressed concern over proposed contribution hikes to Britain’s biggest private sector pension scheme, the £63bn Universities Superannuation Scheme.
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News
Schemes should discuss options ahead of Brexit-day clash
On the go: One in seven UK pension schemes faces a Brexit conundrum with their valuation year-end dates falling due on March 31, the Sunday after the UK is due to leave the EU on March 29, Aon says.
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OpinionUSS dispute has exposed a transparency deficit
Brexit may be inflaming passions across the country, but away from the headlines an equally heated debate has been raging among scheme advisers, managers and members over the serious matter of how to value pensions.
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News
Kingman: FRC should be replaced with new independent regulator
On the go: The Financial Reporting Council should be replaced as soon as possible with a new independent regulator with clear statutory powers and objectives, an independent review of the council has recommended.
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FeaturesShell launches online hub to meet member demand
Royal Dutch Shell has introduced a new financial education hub for employees, as members of the company’s pension fund show appetite for online communications.
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News
Life expectancy flatlines for first time in decades
Life expectancy in the UK has flatlined in the last two years, according to the Office for National Statistics, with drops in the life expectancy of babies born in Scotland and Wales putting an end to decades of improving longevity.
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News
FRC review threatens to impact actuarial profession
An advisory group to the government review of the Financial Reporting Council is to explore the extent to which actuaries should be subject to formal regulation in response to the pensions-related nature of recent corporate failures.