All Costs and charges articles – Page 15
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OpinionTime for a summer stocktake
Julian Mund, the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association’s chief executive, reflects on 2019 so far – from master trust authorisation to impressive auto-enrolment figures. But despite some positive developments this year, Mr Mund notes that there is still a significant amount of uncertainty over what the next few months have in store for the pensions industry.
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News
MPs urge DWP to review scope and level of charges cap
The Work and Pensions Committee is ramping up the pressure on the government and the Financial Conduct Authority to cap the level of charges on default retirement products.
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News
Active equity fees fall by 11 per cent since 2017
On the go: The average fee for an active global equity mandate has fallen by 11 per cent since 2017, according to consultancy LCP, as competition from low-cost index tracking vehicles sees costs improve across most asset classes for institutional investors.
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Features
Now Pensions castigated as master trust competition turns nasty
Data crunch: Master trust Now Pensions has published an index claiming its charges have the least drag on an average defined contribution pot, unleashing in the process a barrage of criticism of the provider’s own charging structure and administrative headaches.
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FeaturesUS industrial giant completes sectionalised merger of UK schemes
US conglomerate Honeywell has gone ahead with proposals to merge three of its UK defined benefit schemes on a sectionalised basis, in a bid to lower costs and streamline governance.
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News
Aviva launches ESG default fund
On the go: Aviva has launched a defined contribution default fund with environmental, social and governance considerations at its heart, in line with growing demand from workers.
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News
CMA takes final step in reform of fid man and consultancy sectors
On the go: The Competition and Markets Authority has issued a legally binding order requiring investment consultants and fiduciary managers to provide clearer information about what their customers are getting for their money.
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Opinion
What is the most important feature of a good DC scheme?
Data crunch: There is no doubt that defined contribution pension schemes face a large number of challenges in their quest to deliver good member outcomes.
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News
Templates launched to improve cost transparency in £2tn industry
On the go: The Cost Transparency Initiative has unveiled its templates and guidance for asset managers and suppliers of services to pension schemes, encouraging reporting of costs and charges in a standardised format so trustees can easily compare managers and asset classes.
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News
L&G legacy pension members face higher charges, finds IGC
On the go: In its fourth annual report, Legal & General's independent governance committee gave the company an overall high score, but flagged up steep charges on legacy pension products.
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News
Select committee gives pension industry low marks for transparency
On the go: The pensions and financial inclusion minister Guy Opperman, and John Glen, the economic secretary to HM Treasury, were grilled by the Work and Pensions Committee investigating pension costs and transparency on Wednesday.
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News
DWP consultation ramps up pressure on small schemes to consolidate
The Department for Work and Pensions is ramping up the pressure on small schemes to consolidate and to consider long term illiquid investments.
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FeaturesHighland scheme mulls insurance policy for ill health retirement costs
The Highland Council Pension Fund is considering the option of taking out an insurance policy to protect the scheme against substantial ill-health retirement costs.
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News
CMA ups pressure on trustees and advisers to seek best deal
New requirements on trustees to shop around for fiduciary management and challenge their advisers will generate better value for members, experts have said in response to measures set out by the Competition and Markets Authority.
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OpinionWill DC pensions be the next big litigation target in the UK?
A lack of engaged and educated savers in defined contribution means pension money is ‘sticky’ for providers. Redington’s Natalie Flood raises the prospect that where fiduciaries do not tackle legacy issues on behalf of their members, they could open themselves up to a backlash.
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Features
Should there be an industry-wide methodology for measuring value?
An agreed definition of value for money may help schemes measure value, but it is more important that trustees understand what they are buying and why.
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OpinionWhy would anyone set up a trust-based scheme today?
Secondsight’s Matthew Mitten explains the shift from trust-based to contract-based defined contribution schemes, arguing that individuals should be encouraged to engage with their pension through innovative workplace education rather than relying on a board of trustees to make decisions on behalf of the masses.
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OpinionIncreased self-service will boost data quality and raise admin standards
Good-quality, complete data is essential for pensions administration. Heather Quelch, head of pensions administration at TPT Retirement Solutions, discusses data cleansing and the importance of self-service for members.
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News
ACA and Royal London call for radical simplification of DB rights
Consumers and employers could reap substantial benefits if the complex patchwork of defined benefit pension rights could be radically simplified, according to a recent policy paper.
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OpinionInvesting in alternatives: Opportunities and obstacles
While there are plenty of opportunities for pension schemes when it comes to alternatives, there are also a number of obstacles to investing in these asset classes, explains Hymans Robertson’s Adam Porter.