All articles by Angus Peters – Page 25
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FeaturesCentrica drills for returns with high-yield allocation
The Centrica Combined Common Investment Fund, which manages holdings for the energy giant’s pension schemes, has trimmed its exposure to corporate bonds, reweighting its portfolio towards high-yield debt.
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News
Lack of consultant feedback threatens scheme governance
PLSA Investment Conference 2017: More than half of professional trustees and consultants rate their clients’ decision-making capabilities as acceptable or below, as industry figures have urged a rethinking of boardroom psychology.
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NewsTrustees must secure funding after GM sells Vauxhall to PSA
General Motors has announced the sale of Vauxhall to French car manufacturer PSA Group, but will retain responsibility for the company’s UK pension obligations, sparking concerns over the security of members' benefits.
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News
DWP blocks Nest drawdown in favour of industry innovation
The Department for Work and Pensions has decided against letting Nest offer drawdown after strong opposition emerged at consultation, opting instead to rely on industry innovation, but some have questioned whether the market will provide this.
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News
Savers prepared to look past charges for returns
Good returns are the primary concern for pension scheme members when assessing value for money, according to research conducted by 11 independent governance committees, with charges sitting outside the top 10 of saver concerns.
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News
Select committee hears evidence on how to get the self-employed saving
Proposals including an expansion of auto-enrolment and raising class 4 national insurance contributions, aimed at boosting pensions coverage in the UK, have been put before the Work and Pensions Committee as part of its inquiry into self-employed workers.
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News
BHS deal welcomed but views split over DB framework
Sir Philip Green will contribute £363m to a new pension scheme for former employees of BHS, under a settlement arrangement that achieves better outcomes for members than entry into the Pension Protection Fund.
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NewsSavers still keen on cash until pot size grows
Full cash withdrawals are still dominating the retirement income market, according to analysis by the Financial Conduct Authority, as concerns were raised over consumer reluctance to seek financial advice.
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News
Pressure grows to provide pre-1997 inflation-proofing
Pensions minister Richard Harrington has demanded that the chief executives of companies including Hewlett Packard Enterprise and 3M explain their refusal to grant discretionary increases to members with benefits accrued before 1997.
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Opinion
Is it time for DC defaults to embrace ESG?
Large defined benefit funds and defined contribution mastertrusts have long been using their investments to engage with or divest from companies involved in controversial practices. Now, a renewed public focus on environmental, social and governance issues, as well as corporate reporting, could convince more to follow.
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News
FCA market study: All-in fee might not be all-in cure
The consultation stage of the Financial Conduct Authority’s market review of the asset management industry closed last week, with experts welcoming the boost to transparency but remaining reticent over proposals for an all-in fee structure.
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News
LPFA feels divestment pressure
The London Pensions Fund Authority is under pressure from London Mayor Sadiq Khan to divest entirely from fossil fuel holdings, but says it prefers working with companies and fund managers over divesting.
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Opinion
Pru exit doesn't signal death of annuities... yet
From the blog: Insurance giant Prudential is leaving the UK annuity market, but analysis of ‘at retirement’ product offerings show that guaranteed income still has a significant role in the post-freedom and choice savings world.
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NewsIndustry accuses Treasury of lack of data to justify £4k MPAA
HM Treasury’s consultation on reducing the money purchase annual allowance will close on Wednesday, drawing fierce criticism that the policy lacks data to back up its introduction and could unfairly hurt savers.
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NewsLGPS unmarried couples discrimination unlawful, Supreme Court rules
The Supreme Court has ruled that regulations requiring unmarried Local Government Pension Scheme members to nominate a cohabiting partner in order for them to receive a survivor’s pension contravenes the European Convention on Human Rights.
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NewsManagers improving stewardship disclosure, but ESG has a way to go
Quality of stewardship reports among asset management firms is steadily improving, according to the Financial Reporting Council, but some managers continue to dismiss environmental, social and governance issues.
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News
Thames Ambulance dispute puts comms in the spotlight
A bitter dispute has broken out between Thames Ambulance Service and the GMB union over contributions to two pension schemes, with members feeling confused as to the security of their benefits.
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News
Hollis: Bring invisible women into AE system
The UK’s pension system is failing “invisible women” who do not meet the auto-enrolment earnings threshold and are punished for leaving work to care for children, Labour peer Patricia Hollis has warned.
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NewsIsle of Wight's outperformance vindicates active management
The Isle of Wight Pension Fund’s funding level jumped from 78 per cent to 92 per cent over three years, posting returns that reignite the debate over active and passive fund management.
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News
Calls for greater trustee powers as advisers fail to consider scam risks
Government and regulators have been urged to strengthen the powers of trustee boards in opposing suspicious transfer requests, as an alert from the Financial Conduct Authority warned that some advisers are not carrying out proper due diligence on receiving scheme investments.