All Defined benefit articles – Page 31
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NewsStrikes ‘likely’ over TfL pension changes as funding deal reached
Changes to the TfL Pension Fund will be required as part of a financial support package agreed between the government, Transport for London and the mayor of London, with a plan to be presented in September. But unions have rejected the deal, and warned that more strikes are “likely”.
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NewsInflation may hinder asset-liability matching, warns IFoA
On the go: Soaring inflation may prevent actuaries from being able to match schemes’ underlying liabilities with appropriate assets, with costs set to increase, the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries has warned.
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NewsLGPS calls for ‘future-proofing’ benefits against discrimination
On the go: The chair of the Local Government Pension Scheme Advisory Board, councillor Roger Phillips, has written to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities asking for reforms to discriminatory death and survivor benefits in the LGPS, and to protect the scheme against future legal challenges.
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News‘Disingenuous’ pension proposals will not fix NHS staffing crisis
The government’s proposed pension rules tweaks around “retire and return” for some NHS Pension Scheme members, in a bid to tackle the mounting staff retention crisis, have been criticised by commentators who argue that the changes do not go far enough.
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NewsProfessional negligence claim against Aon goes ahead
The High Court has given the green light for a full court hearing into a professional negligence claim against Aon, after the consultancy failed in its attempt to have the claim struck out on the basis that it has breached statutory limitation periods.
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NewsEast Lothian Council rejects LGPS funds’ merger oversight motion
On the go: The East Lothian Council has voted down a motion that sought to expand oversight of a planned merger between the £8.6bn Lothian Pension Fund and the £3.2bn Falkirk Council Pension Fund.
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NewsPodcast: Trustees struggling to guide members on inflation benefits
Podcast: A report from XPS Pensions suggests that members could reap £10,000 additional benefits by delaying retirement because of the way increases and inflation are calculated, but trustees are struggling to help them because of the “red tape” around advice. LCP partner Laura Amin is joined by Hymans Robertson partner Patrick Bloomfield to discuss benefits’ inflation calculation and advice, concerns about defined benefit funding, and the women’s state pension age investigation.
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NewsScottish housing scheme deficit set to be cleared ahead of schedule
On the go: The Scottish Housing Association Pension Schemes’ deficit will be wiped out in September 2022, ahead of schedule, according to its 2021 valuation results.
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NewsPension risk transfer market set for second-biggest year
On the go: Pension risk transfer volumes in the UK are expected to conclude the year at their second-highest level, according to Legal & General.
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NewsOpperman rejects PPF and FAS inflation caps review
Pensions minister Guy Opperman has rebuffed an appeal from a trade union to review compensation levels in the Pension Protection Fund and the Financial Assistance Scheme, as the cost of living crisis looms over beneficiaries.
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NewsCourt dismisses trustee’s Barber window arrears claim
The High Court has ruled that members of the CMG UK Pension Scheme are not entitled to payment of arrears that fell due more than six years ago, despite the trustee’s attempts to continue paying them.
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NewsNine in 10 DB transfers receive scam warning in July
On the go: Around 94 per cent of defined benefit transfers registered as having one or more scam warning signs, according to XPS Pensions Group.
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NewsThink tank urges reform of NHS pensions’ CPI link
Think thank Policy Exchange has advised the next prime minister to revise the relationship between the consumer price index and the annual allowance for public sector pensions, in a move that could help to limit the number of GPs and consultants retiring early to avoid punitive taxes.
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NewsCivil service union issues strike ultimatum
The Public and Commercial Services Union has threatened the government with strikes in the civil service unless it accedes to demands for improved pay, pensions and job security.
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NewsRising rates pose challenges for closed DB schemes’ LDI portfolios
While interest rate and inflation hedges have helped many defined benefit schemes stabilise their funding positions, the current macroeconomic environment is creating challenges for some closed plans, which might not have the necessary collateral in place to meet high payments.
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NewsPASA issues call to action on dashboards data matching
On the go: The Pensions Administration Standards Association has urged schemes to act now on data matching in preparation for dashboards, deciding how to digitally compare and match “find requests” from users against their records.
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NewsExperts question timing of pensions awareness season
Commentators have queried the timing of the pensions awareness season starting later this year, which will take place during a mounting cost of living crisis ravaged by high inflation, surging energy bills and flagging consumer confidence.
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NewsFirefighters’ options exercise requires ‘corrective action’
On the go: “Corrective action” is required for certain members of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme, after a number of Fire and Rescue Authorities failed to conduct an options exercise properly.
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NewsNationwide university strike ballots set for September 6
The University and College Union has confirmed that strike ballots over pensions, pay and conditions will be held on September 6, potentially paving the way for “unprecedented” nationwide industrial action.
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NewsUCU threatens ‘unprecedented strikes’ as USS reaches surplus
The University and College Union has strongly criticised the decision to cut staff benefits, as the Universities Superannuation Scheme’s June monitoring report reveals a surplus of £1.8bn and universities prepare to embark on billions of pounds in capital expenditure.