All Defined benefit articles – Page 199
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NewsRegulator nets £184m from Lehmans as cases treble
The Pensions Regulator’s unprecedented £184m settlement for the members of the Lehman Brothers pension scheme is its biggest trophy in a growing anti-avoidance campaign, with the number of investigations trebling since last year.
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Features
Xerox to protect repayment power amid legal uncertainty
Xerox Final Salary Pension Scheme is planning a resolution allowing it to continue to make repayments to its sponsor, but legal experts are split on whether such a move is necessary or will even be effective.
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News
Yes or No: schemes brace for Scottish independence vote
Pension scheme managers and industry experts are focusing on tax and cross-border funding requirements as challenges that could arise out of next month’s Scottish independence vote, regardless of the outcome.
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Features
Scheme managers raise doubts on joint LGPS governance boards
Local authority schemes have raised concerns over whether incoming pensions boards can be combined with their existing section 101 committees, one of the options in the government’s consultation on governance in the Local Government Pension Scheme.
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News
DB steals limelight in 75% of hybrid scheme trustee meetings
Three-quarters of hybrid scheme trustees spend more time on their defined benefit offerings than defined contribution, sparking concerns that they are failing to respond to the shift to DC.
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Opinion
PPF: Comms have been vital to speeding up assessment
Talking head: The Pension Protection Fund’s Sue Rivas says the organisation is on track to meet its target of providing three-quarters of scheme assessments within two years, and explains how it has sped up the process.
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Features
Bromley mulls 10% illiquids allocation as cash flow worsens
The London Borough of Bromley Pension Fund is considering a 10 per cent allocation to illiquid assets to provide greater returns and inflation linkage, in expectation of turning cash-flow negative within seven years.
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News
IASB proposal could hit sponsor-scheme funding strategies
A proposed change to pensions accounting guidance around surpluses could lead to trustees having to renegotiate their financing arrangements with employers and shifting towards non-cash vehicles.
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News
Interest rate uncertainty a concern for employer covenants
Interest rate rises could have a negative effect on covenant strength as some companies are forced to refinance at higher rates, advisers have said, and trustees should keep a watching brief to mitigate any resultant impact on their sponsors' ability to pay scheme contributions.
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News
Schemes have scope to delve deeper into illiquids, but confidence lacking
Defined benefit schemes are showing increased interest in illiquid alternatives as they hunt greater yield and diversification, but many lack sufficient resources and the confidence needed to execute such investments.
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FeaturesRBS reviews recovery plan as interest rates hurt funding level
The Royal Bank of Scotland has extended its pension fund recovery plan and increased contributions following a slip in the funding level.
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News
How the PPF's contingent asset shift could affect your scheme
The Pension Protection Fund will publish in October the conclusion of its consultation on making the certification of contingent assets more transparent, after around half a sample of type A contingent assets failed a stress test.
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News
DB-to-DC transfers forecast to impact on derisking strategies
Investment experts have predicted liability-driven investment programmes could become more tricky since the chancellor gave the green light to transfers from defined benefit to defined contribution, with schemes finding find it more difficult to predict liabilities.
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Opinion
Last DB schemes standing: A snapshot of FTSE 100 benefits
Consultancy LCP yesterday released its Accounting for Pensions 2014 report giving an insight into the pension arrangements of some of the country's biggest companies. The report at times paints a bleak picture for defined benefit schemes.
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NewsHow your scheme could benefit from the Arcadia CPI judgment
Employers have been encouraged to assess whether they can switch from the retail prices index to the consumer price index to reduce their liabilities, after a High Court ruling last week.
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News
Church of England scheme boosts funding level with 20% equity growth
The Church of England Funded Pension Scheme has seen an improvement in its funding level thanks to asset outperformance, in particular from equities, as it looks to increase its illiquid asset holdings.
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Features
Unilever sees 26% opt-out from AE joiners on tax grounds
Unilever has seen slightly more than one in four of its tiny non-scheme member population opt out, with the majority close to or having reached the lifetime allowance limit for tax-privileged saving.
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News
Newly defined money purchase plans wake up to actuarial and comms obligations
Trustees and employers offering money purchase benefits may face increased member communication and valuation requirements as a result of the government’s new statutory definition.
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Features
Vodafone scheme completes CWW merger with £325m employer payment
Vodafone has contributed £325m to its defined benefit scheme as it completes the transfer of the Cable & Wireless Worldwide Retirement Plan, after purchasing the rival telecoms company in 2012.
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Opinion
Gardner: How to win by not losing
Talking head: Redington’s Rob Gardner analyses the state of pension funds’ growth assets, arguing that in an environment where many assets look expensive, reward can be found through focusing on reducing downside.