All Consultants articles – Page 4
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News
TPR clarifies expectations in settlements policy statement
On the go: The Pensions Regulator published a settlements policy statement on Thursday with the overarching aim that these agreements offer fair and appropriate outcomes.
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Pension schemes’ liabilities overstated up to £60bn
On the go: Defined benefit schemes’ liabilities may be overstated from 1.5 per cent up to 3.5 per cent following the Covid-19 pandemic, according to pensions consultancy XPS.
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FCA rules could hit DB transfer market winners hard
On the go: More than a third (37.5 per cent) of the defined benefit transfer market was advised by just three firms in 2020, as St James’s Place, Royal London and AJ Bell increased their market share “dramatically”, according to a report from LCP.
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NewsTPR’s criminal powers draft policy fails to repeal industry concerns
The Pensions Regulator’s draft guidance on its new criminal powers, published on Thursday, failed to allay fears about the new sanctions, since it will be able to prosecute anyone in connection with an offence and will no longer be bound by limitation periods.
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DWP delays fiduciary management consultation response
On the go: The Department for Work and Pensions’ response to the consultation on trustee oversight of investment consultants and fiduciary managers has been delayed until 2022.
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NewsBorder to Coast expands green infrastructure investment
Several pension funds, including the Local Government Pension Scheme pool Border to Coast, have provided the majority of the funding for a new €1.6bn (£1.4bn) renewable energy investment fund launched by the Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets.
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PodcastsPodcast: Tackling climate change will require a ‘step change’ in governance
Podcast: The government’s “revolutionary” plans to tackle climate change “ain’t half prescriptive” when it comes to pensions investments, and will require a “step change” in governance to achieve. So say Stuart O’Brien, partner at Sackers, and ITS director Tegs Harding, who also discuss the consequences of another row at the Universities Superannuation Scheme and the cartelisation of the advisory market.
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Guide launched to assess investment consultants’ climate competence
On the go: The Investment Consultants Sustainability Working Group has launched a guide to help trustees in assessing their investment consultants on climate competency.
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NewsPIPAs on hunt for Covid-defying performances
Pensions Expert’s annual awards are open for entries, with judges imploring providers that have not hid behind Covid excuses and managers that have truly set themselves apart on sustainability to come forward for consideration.
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FCA releases DB transfer advice assessment tool
On the go: The City watchdog has released an assessment tool to help financial advisers understand whether the defined benefit pension transfer advice they have given was suitable.
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Bulk annuities growth dependent on ‘jumbo’ deals and consolidators
On the go: While the UK bulk annuity market is expected to continue to thrive in 2021, its significant growth will depend on ‘jumbo’ deals and on the development of the consolidators’ market, according to Aon.
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RPI reform drives up inflation hedging cost
Demand for inflation hedging is now returning after it was suppressed during the government’s consultation on the retail price index. However, the limited supply of index-linked bonds is itself having an inflationary effect, according to Insight Investment.
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Trustees warned not to miss CMA’s self-certification January deadline
Fears are mounting that Christmas and remote working may cause trustees to miss a vital deadline in January to comply with new Competition and Markets Authority rules.
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OpinionTrustees need help to solve ESG puzzle
Trustee boards’ best efforts to make meaningful progress on environmental, social and governance considerations are hamstrung by a lack of standardisation and a lack of integrated consultant ratings, writes Tegs Harding of Independent Trustee Services.
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Consultants seek to push up industry sustainability standards
A new working group formed by 12 UK investment consultants is aiming to encourage standardisation of practices and meaningful action on sustainability among asset owners.
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How can schemes make ESG compliance meaningful?
Analysis: The UK pension industry’s first attempt at compliance with new sustainability reporting rules has left campaigners unimpressed, to say the very least.
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News
Willis Towers Watson’s merger with Aon faces US lawsuit
On the go: Willis Towers Watson is facing a shareholder class action in the US due to its planned merger with Aon, which would create a worldwide insurance broker worth $80bn (£65.5bn).
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News
Agri business and research institute switch to fiduciary management
On the go: Defined benefit schemes belonging to a malt production business and a social research institute have both switched to fiduciary management with Netherlands-owned Kempen Capital Management.
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NewsVolatility exposes trustees’ slow reaction times
Volatility playing havoc with defined benefit funding ratios may speed the transition towards fiduciary management and consolidation of final salary schemes, according to governance specialists.
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Aon’s merger with Willis Towers Watson to create $80bn giant
Aon and Willis Towers Watson have agreed on a merger, which will see the companies creating the UK’s largest pensions consulting firm and a worldwide insurance broker worth $80bn (£61bn).