All Covenant articles – Page 11
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NewsMPs accuse Carillion of trying to 'wriggle out' of pension obligations
The Work and Pensions Committee has accused Carillion of trying to “wriggle out” of its pension obligations for the past decade, amid calls for stronger laws to prevent future scandals.
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OpinionTrustees must adopt more transparent practices
Increasing scrutiny of trustee decision-making means they will have to develop more proactive processes for communicating the level of security afforded to members by their scheme, according to the Pensions Management Institute’s Robert Branagh.
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News
Chappell to be sentenced next month
The Pensions Regulator has said the sentencing of former BHS owner Dominic Chappell, who was found guilty of withholding information from the regulator, will take place on February 23.
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News
Select committee questions TPR on Barclays scheme sponsorship
The Work and Pensions Committee is questioning the Pensions Regulator on the sponsorship of Barclays Bank’s pension scheme in relation to the company’s restructuring plans.
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News
GKN hits out at Melrose over pensions
Engineering company GKN has rejected what it said are indirect claims made by unsuccessful bidder Melrose Industries that GKN's pension liability has increased due to delays in closing its main scheme to accrual.
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Features
Do UK DB schemes have a covenant problem?
Analysis: Sponsor covenant and failed defined benefit promises are in the headlines again with the collapse of outsourcing giant Carillion. Could the liquidation be indicative of a wider national inability to pay pensions, and how should trustees react to a deterioration in their covenant?
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News
GKN trustees say hostile takeover must respect pension obligations
Trustees of GKN’s pension schemes have stressed that any potential buyer of the company, which rejected an unsolicited takeover approach from Melrose Industries last week, should be aware of the scheme’s recent funding positions.
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OpinionAn MoU can ensure effective covenant monitoring
Aon Hewitt’s Aidan O’Mahony explains how a memorandum of understanding agreement can lead to more effective covenant monitoring.
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OpinionCarillion is a covenant warning
From the blog: The Pensions Regulator’s assertion that “the strength of the employer covenant can change materially over a short period of time” has once again been proved correct by the case of Carillion.
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News
Progress towards long-term objectives tops list of DB concerns
Concerns over long-term objectives, managing funding constraints and keeping up with change rank at the top of concerns held at defined benefit schemes, followed by the task of balancing stakeholder interests, new research has found.
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OpinionWhen bigger is better
Editorial: When it comes to ensuring value for defined contribution members, bigger may often be better.
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News
Covenant risk is dominating the DB agenda
Defined benefit trustees are becoming increasingly concerned about the strength of their employer covenants, a new survey has revealed, as Brexit uncertainty feeds into broader concerns about the future of sponsors.
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OpinionWe need to talk about PPF drift
The Pension Protection Fund, the lifeboat for failed defined benefit pension schemes, is facing a looming iceberg known as ‘PPF drift’, says Lincoln Pensions’ Richard Farr.
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Opinion
How to monitor the effectiveness of your trustee board
Amid an increased regulatory focus on governance and trusteeship, Independent Trustee Services’ Rachel Croft explains how trustees can monitor and review their own performance alongside external feedback.
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OpinionWhat to look out for with sectionalisation
There are a number of reasons trustees and employers may want to sectionalise their schemes, but it is not always plain sailing, according to Laura McLaughlin and Thibault Jeakings at law firm CMS.
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OpinionNew rules on profit-shifting could affect pensions
As demands for companies to be more tax transparent have built momentum, international reforms are being formulated that could impact tax strategies and dramatically change sponsor covenant.
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Features
Deficits have dropped, but how should schemes react?
Analysis: While there has been a recent improvement in defined benefit pension fund deficits, market volatility, weak covenants and increasing longevity mean trustees should continue to keep a tight rein on risk and cost management.
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News
Scheme support levels at lowest since financial crisis
Affordability of FTSE 350 defined benefit pension promises has retreated to levels not seen since the global financial crisis, a new report has found, putting pressure on trustees of mature schemes.
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News
Employers urged to actively manage covenant
Employers and schemes must take a more active approach to managing their pension liabilities to improve covenant strength, experts say.
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OpinionBlack swans: The threats to the pension system nobody is talking about
Trustees would do well to do scenario-testing and expand the scope of integrated risk management, argues Matthew Harrison from Lincoln Pensions.