All articles by Benjamin Mercer – Page 37
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MPs urge regulator to reassure struggling employers
On the go: The Work and Pensions Committee has called for clarity from the Pensions Regulator over its Covid-19 enforcement procedures, voicing concerns that some “conscientious employers” will be reluctant to take advantage of easements.
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2020 set to be a record-breaking year for longevity swaps
On the go: Demand for longevity swaps is expected to set new records in 2020, reflecting in part a slight slowdown in the bulk annuity market, according to a report by Willis Towers Watson.
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Aviva strikes £150m buy-in with General Healthcare Group
On the go: Insurer Aviva has secured a £150m buy-in contract with the General Healthcare Group & Life Assurance Plan.
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Cash-strapped money printer cuts deficit repair contributions
British banknote printer De La Rue has cut deficit repair payments to its defined benefit pension scheme, contingent on the success of its bid to raise an extra £100m in capital.
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Transparency initiative adds new tools following industry support
On the go: The Cost Transparency Initiative has released additional resources and a new set of tools aimed at encouraging more schemes and asset managers to sign up to the standard, following a strong show of support by the industry for the framework it published last year.
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Peers push for clarity over insolvency measures
On the go: Members of the House of Lords have pressed the government to provide clarity over the impact of new insolvency laws on pension schemes.
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Superfunds cleared to begin work under TPR interim regime
The Pensions Regulator is to sanction the transfer of struggling corporate defined benefit schemes into commercial consolidators aiming to secure pensions at a lower cost than insurers, under a two-part interim regime unveiled on Thursday.
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Pensions compliance with furlough tapering ‘horrendously complicated’
The Pensions Regulator’s updated guidance on auto-enrolment and defined contribution schemes is likely to lead to large numbers of mistakes being made, some experts predict, as employers have to grapple with the bifurcated system resulting from the slow death of furlough.
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Covid-19 leads to unexpected interest in bridging pensions
On the go: The coronavirus pandemic has led to an increase in the number of defined benefit scheme members looking to bridging pensions, according to a report by Aon.
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Poor data management keeps ombudsman busy
The Pensions Ombudsman has ruled in favour of a former bank employee in a dispute about the transfer of deferred pension liabilities, in a case reinforcing the impact that poor data management can have for schemes and members.
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Schemes to take a £5bn hit as analysts predict deflation
On the go: Pension schemes already suffering the funding implications of Covid-19 could be facing a further £5bn of pressure, as the prospect of deflation later in the year produces a “ratchet effect”, according to analysis by LCP.
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Pandemics, climate change pose ‘systemic risks’ to actuarial work
On the go: Global pandemics and the threat of a climate catastrophe present dire risks to the quality of actuarial work, according to a new report by the Joint Forum on Actuarial Regulation.
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Fiduciary managers outperform during coronavirus crisis
Analysis: A year after emerging from the scrutiny of the Competition and Markets Authority, fiduciary managers are now embracing transparency to advertise outperformance of traditional advised defined benefit schemes.
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Regulator to issue rules for consolidators ‘in the coming weeks’
The Pensions Regulator is shortly to issue interim regulation covering commercial consolidators, Pensions Expert can reveal.
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Charities suffer under the strain of DB scheme deficits
On the go: Three-quarters of charities have defined benefit schemes in deficit, adding extra strain to a sector already hit hard by coronavirus, according to a new report by Hymans Robertson.
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Sponsors facing perfect storm as furlough nears its end
Pension schemes and their sponsors face a potential perfect storm of costs as the furlough scheme reaches its endgame, with sponsors in some sectors of the economy facing acute pressure as government support dries up.
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PodcastsPodcast: 'Crystal ball-gazing' makes ethical investment tough for trustees
Trustees aiming to make ethical investment decisions can find it tough to justify them without recourse to a crystal ball, as the legal requirements are ill-defined, says Irwin Mitchell’s pensions partner Penny Cogher. In this episode she’s joined by independent consultant and long-time pensions expert Malcolm McLean for a discussion covering capital-backed endgame deals, the complications of new insolvency laws, and some morally dubious LGPS investments.
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Regulator repeats anti-scam warning after £5m lost to fraudsters
On the go: The Pensions Regulator has repeated its warning about scammers after a report revealed more than £5m has been lost to fraud since February.
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Brunel achieves carbon intensity reduction target
Brunel Pension Partnership has achieved its target of reducing the carbon intensity of its active portfolio by 7 per cent a year in time for the UN’s World Environment Day, but smaller schemes saddled with pooled products may lack the clout required to emulate them.
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NewsNissan proposes DB scheme closure as sponsor pressure mounts
Workers at Nissan’s manufacturing plant in Sunderland could be facing a cut to their benefits, with the carmaker proposing to close its defined benefit scheme, while experts said the Covid-19 pandemic could push more sponsors to follow suit.