All Covenant articles – Page 4
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NewsPension lawyers support superfunds as ‘Plan B’ for DB schemes
On the go: A large majority of pension lawyers believe that superfund transfers will become a strong consideration for defined benefit schemes with weak sponsors, as an alternative to the Pension Protection Fund or bulk annuity transactions, research has shown.
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NewsPoor understanding of ‘company beliefs’ may hamper endgame plans
On the go: Defined benefit scheme endgame plans are threatened by a lack of understanding about “company beliefs”, according to Hymans Robertson, warning that trustees must ensure such beliefs are aligned with strategic pensions choices.
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FeaturesOne in three schemes set climate risk reduction targets
ESG spotlight: A roundup of the latest news on environmental, social and governance initiatives, with an ACA survey finding that a third of pension schemes have already set targets to reduce climate risk, and asset management fees falling in some ESG and impact strategy types.
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NewsAlmost a quarter of trustees unsure of endgame strategy
On the go: There are still doubts among trustees about their defined benefit schemes’ long-term strategy, as almost a quarter of these professionals (23.9 per cent) are unsure of their endgame strategy, a survey has revealed.
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NewsActuaries demand ‘comprehensive guidance’ on TPR’s notifiable events
On the go: The Association of Consulting Actuaries has called for “comprehensive guidance” to be published before the Pensions Regulator’s new notifiable events regime comes into force, citing the “significant penalties” that apply for non-compliance.
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NewsCD&R called to reassure MPs over Morrisons takeover
On the go: Labour and Liberal Democrats MPs have warned Clayton, Dubilier & Rice that it must make guarantees to workers and rule out asset-stripping as it looks set to complete its £7.1bn Morrisons takeover.
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NewsFTSE 100 DB surplus not immune to funding code and inflation shocks
On the go: FTSE 100 defined benefit schemes' positions grew again in Q3, with the post-pandemic recovery leaving their combined IAS19 surplus at £50bn. But LCP has warned that inflation, coupled with stricter rules under the new defined benefit funding code, could still do damage.
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NewsPPF levy to fall by £105m in 2022-23
On the go: The Pension Protection Fund has announced that it expects to collect £415m from its levy payers in 2022-23, a reduction of £105m from the previous year.
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NewsStrike ballot set for October in ongoing USS row
On the go: The University and College Union has announced it will ballot staff over strike action in October following a breakdown in negotiations over the Universities Superannuation Scheme’s controversial 2020 valuation.
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NewsBulk annuity deals’ strong momentum to carry on into 2022
On the go: Around £25bn worth of bulk annuity transactions is expected by the end of the year, recovering from a slow start and creating momentum expected to carry over to trades in 2022, according to Aon’s latest risk settlement market update.
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PodcastsPodcast: Trustees need to address sponsor covenant climate risk
Podcast: With climate change becoming central to investment discussions, trustees also need to think about how similar risks can affect the strength of their scheme’s sponsor and its ability to stand behind the pension fund. In this podcast, Lincoln Pensions managing director Michael Bushnell explains what questions trustees need to ask, what to do with the information they get, and why employers really need to pay attention to climate change in their pension finance discussions.
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NewsMorrisons schemes granted additional security in takeover bid
On the go: An agreement has been reached between a private equity manager and the trustees of Morrisons’ defined benefit schemes to grant additional security, as the attempted takeover of the supermarket chain progresses.
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NewsTPR’s notifiable events regime more impactful than criminal powers
The new regime setting out what type of events trustees and employers are required to notify the Pensions Regulator about will have a greater potential to impact corporate activity than the regulator’s controversial new criminal powers, experts have warned.
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NewsUSS pushes ahead with reform proposals despite strike threat
The Universities Superannuation Scheme trustee is to push ahead with a reform package agreed by USS employers, despite threats of strike action from the University and College Union.
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NewsDraft CDC regulations hampered by poor definitions, industry warns
The government’s consultation into draft regulations governing collective defined contribution schemes requires more work on definitions if these pension funds are to be properly implemented, with the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association warning it could create a “back door” for unscrupulous employers.
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NewsStrike action ‘inevitable’ after employers agree USS reforms
The University and College Union is to ballot its members over industrial action, branding strikes “inevitable” after employers agreed to press ahead with reforms of the Universities Superannuation Scheme.
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NewsMorrisons’ takeover will ‘materially weaken’ sponsor covenant
On the go: The trustees of Morrissons’ defined benefit schemes have warned that both takeover offers for the British retailer will “materially weaken” the sponsors’ covenant.
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NewsChallenges of green regulation should not be underestimated
On the go: More than a quarter of defined benefit pension schemes are only aiming for minimum compliance with new rules and regulations around climate change, the challenge of which should not be underestimated, LCP has warned.
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NewsUSS employers pledge greater covenant support
Universities UK, the group representing 340 Universities Superannuation Scheme employers, has pledged additional covenant support to the pension scheme, in a move it said will spare its members the crippling contribution rate rises announced following the scheme’s 2020 valuation.
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NewsPPF 7800 Index shows surplus and funding improvements
On the go: The PPF 7800 Index for June shows improvements in the surplus and funding positions (on a section 179 basis) for the more than 5,000 schemes potentially eligible for entry to the Pension Protection Fund.