All Defined benefit articles – Page 195
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Opinion
A scheme guide to changing longevity risk
In the latest Technical View, the Biogerontology Research Foundation’s Alex Zhavoronkov lays out the latest factors affecting longevity and how schemes and insurers are tackling it.
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News
Multi-asset exposure surges as schemes focus on volatility
The proportion of pension schemes with multi-asset fund exposure has risen to 83 per cent, up from 70 per cent just six months ago, as schemes look to control volatility and mitigate macroeconomic risk.
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Features
Asset-backed funding on the rise as schemes beef up security
Industry experts have predicted asset-backed funding strategies would survive a Scottish independence 'Yes' vote as well as current regulatory scrutiny, as greater accessibility has seen the average size of these structures decrease.
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News
BP fund moves to guard against covenant risk
BP Pension Scheme has formalised a derisking framework with its sponsor to dampen covenant, asset value and investment risks, delegates at the National Association of Pension Funds’ investment conference 2014 heard last week.
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News
End of contracting-out adds urgency to CDC decision
Data analysis: Figures show more than four-fifths of active defined benefit members remain contracted out, as consultants have said the costs associated with ending the arrangement have bolstered the hunt for alternatives.
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News
Isle of Wight bolsters governance ahead of LGPS reform
Isle of Wight Pension Fund has identified areas ripe for improvement in its governance, including more frequent funding monitoring, as local government schemes brace for next year's reforms to the sector.
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Opinion
How QE has harmed UK pensions
By creating £375bn to purchase gilts, the Bank of England has damaged both defined benefit and defined contribution pensions.
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Opinion
How to build your risk committee
As more defined benefit schemes follow a derisking plan towards their end point, monitoring and managing risk grows ever more important.
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News
BT 'pleased' as 30,000 members seek Pie advice
BT has attracted interest for its pension increase exchange exercise from more than 30,000 members, as one of the highest-profile employers to offer the liability-reducing tool.
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News
Employers consider RPI/CPI switch as gap widens
Consultants have reported more employers trying to overcome the difficulties of switching from using the retail price index to the consumer price index to reduce scheme liabilities as the gap between the two measures widens.
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News
NUJ to appeal ombudsman ruling over BBC pensionable pay cap
The National Union of Journalists will appeal the pensions ombudsman’s determination that the BBC's pensionable pay cap did not breach its obligations, as more employers look to such tools to derisk schemes.
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News
Scheme valuation process 'broken', consultants say
Industry figures have called the triennial valuation process poorly suited to help schemes assess their needs, with technological advances allowing trustees to instantly assess their scheme’s funding level.
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News
Civil service schemes centralise admin to boost engagement
The civil service pension schemes are moving the administration of their active, deferred and pensioner members to a single system to reduce costs and increase member engagement.
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News
Charities await guidance to reduce liability squeeze
Not-for-profit employers that belong to multi-employer schemes are waiting for further guidance on dealing with debt risk that could trigger insolvency.
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News
Lloyds derisks to stabilise scheme funding
One of Lloyds Bank's defined benefit pension funds has increased its allocation to bonds in an effort to boost stability, as European regulation puts pressure on bank sponsors to reduce volatility.
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News
Data analytics use on the rise to inform investment decisions
Four in five institutional investors have increased the use of data analytics in the past three years to inform investment and risk-management decisions, and to meet tougher regulatory requirements.
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Features
Plumbing scheme offers lower contribution rate to tempt employers
The Plumbing and Mechanical Services Industry Pension Scheme will offer a lower contribution scale to new employers joining the career average scheme, to help it compete with defined contribution arrangements.
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News
Bulk annuity growth could tackle competition gap
New analysis: More insurers are expected to join the bulk annuities market to meet growing demand from pension funds, after concerns were raised over competition in the sector.
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News
United Utilities ups interest rate hedge after hitting trigger
United Utilities has increased interest rate hedging in its defined benefit schemes in order to reduce risk, working towards its target of full protection against interest and inflation rate fluctuations.
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News
Employers open to risk of reporting errors on contingent assets
News analysis: Employers have been told to approach the use of certain contingent asset funding deals with caution, after the Financial Reporting Council said solvency improvements could be cause for investigation.