All Defined benefit articles – Page 205
-
Opinion
Using the flexibility in the scheme funding regime
Mercer’s Le Roy van Zyl looks at the levers available to scheme and employers in the regulatory funding regime and how they can be used to deliver security and affordability.
-
Opinion
How QE has harmed UK pensions
Talking head: Industry expert Ros Altmann explains how the Bank of England’s quantitative easing programme damaged DB and DC benefits.
-
NewsBAE shrinks pensioner committee in efficiency bid
BAE Systems is reducing the size of its joint pensioner committee as part of a comprehensive review of the body, as technological advances have made it easier to communicate with members.
-
NewsEmployers 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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Opinion
PPF: How we slashed assessment times with data push
Talking head: The PPF’s David Heslop explains how the fund’s push to improve data quality has reduced processing costs for transferring schemes and levy payers.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
News
Thales commits £1.6bn to scheme after funding drop
Thales UK pension scheme has enhanced its recovery plan following a deterioration of its funding position due to low interest rates.
-
Opinion
How to manage your cash flows effectively
Inefficient cash flow management is prevalent among UK pension schemes, but also avoidable, explain Buck’s Simon Hill and Emma Lowry in this edition of Technical Comment.
-
News
IBM portal gets 5,000 sign-ups as scheme goes paperless
More than 5,200 active employee members have signed up to IBM Pensions Trust’s online pensions management portal since it was launched in the middle of last year.
-
News
Infrastructure top of agenda despite hurdles
Data analysis: Defined benefit and defined contribution schemes are once again circling infrastructure investments, but a lack of underlying assets and suitable funds – especially for DC investors – is holding back inflows.
-
Opinion
Regulator: ‘Balance’ key to our DB approach in 2014
Talking head: Interim chief executive Stephen Soper looks at what the Pensions Regulator has coming this year, including how its revised DB funding strategy will affect employers and schemes.