All Features articles – Page 17
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FeaturesRoyal Insurance Group overhauls trustee board
The Royal Insurance Group Pension Scheme has reduced its trustee board size and changed the way member-nominated trustees are appointed, saying the move will save costs and make governance more efficient.
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Features
How valuable are transition managers?
Analysis: Last week, State Street agreed to pay approximately $35m (£26m) to settle a pair of complaints by the Securities and Exchange Commission that it defrauded six institutional investors while conducting transition management services.*
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Features
What can pension schemes learn from insurers?
Analysis: Prudent liability management features among the priorities of pension funds and insurers alike. Experts have previously called upon investors to think more like insurers, but differences in objectives, regulatory requirements and scale mean that total strategic convergence between schemes and insurers is unlikely.
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Features
Schemes regain faith in fid man evaluators
Trustees have shown more inclination towards using third-party evaluators as part of the fiduciary management selection process, a new report has shown. Mid-sized schemes continue to flock towards fiduciary management.
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FeaturesNilgosc outvotes social infrastructure sceptics
The Northern Ireland Local Government Superannuation Committee has voted for social infrastructure as a suitable investment type, despite concerns among some committee members about political risk and the impact on public services.
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FeaturesBrexit will have little impact on admin, experts say
In pension terms, Brexit is widely expected to affect sponsor covenant and potentially regulation, but will it change how schemes pay pensioners who live in the EU?
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Features
How to make sure a scheme merger runs smoothly
Analysis: A desire to cut costs and harmonise pension provision often drives companies with multiple defined benefit pension funds to consolidate their schemes, but experts say there are a number of factors trustees and employers should bear in mind to ensure a smooth merger.
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Features
Research and Mifid II: Better quality, lower cost
Analysis: As more asset managers announce their decision to absorb research costs in response to Mifid II, experts speculate that schemes may benefit from better returns and greater transparency.
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FeaturesCaterpillar default to target drawdown
Trustees of the Caterpillar Defined Contribution Pension Plan have decided to change the scheme’s default fund to target flexible drawdown, as industry experts highlight the importance of looking longer term and communicating default changes carefully.
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FeaturesSouth Yorks fines employers for late contribution returns
The South Yorkshire Pensions Authority has witnessed an improvement in its service delivery, following the launch of a new pensions administration strategy which allows it to fine tardy participating employers.
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Features
What do the ONS labour stats tell us?
Analysis: Record numbers of older workers have come as little surprise to economists, but what will it mean for other generations, and might the broad trends hide potential pitfalls for pensions policy?
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Features
Mastertrusts and platforms: A match made in heaven?
Analysis: Greater efficiency and the ability to access a broader range of investments are some of the reasons why mastertrusts appoint third party investment platforms, but as with all providers, monitoring is key, experts say.
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FeaturesSSE wipes off £1.2bn of longevity risk
FTSE 100 energy company SSE has completed £1.2bn of longevity risk hedging for two of its defined benefit pension schemes, comprised of two buy-ins and longevity swaps with separate insurers.
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FeaturesBayer latest scheme to move to mastertrust
Pharmaceutical company Bayer has closed the defined contribution section of its pension plan and transferred members to a mastertrust, a move experts say has become increasingly common in recent years.
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FeaturesCYBG scheme closure highlights industry's 10-year funding headache
Banking group CYBG has closed its defined benefit pension scheme to future accrual, wiping £131m from its liabilities and avoiding increased contributions amid worsening market conditions.
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FeaturesGKN scheme closures and debt issuance to combat £1bn deficit
Engineering firm GKN has closed its UK defined benefit pension schemes to future accrual, and plans to use proceeds from a debt issuance to plug a £1bn deficit on its UK post-retirement obligations.
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Features
Outsourcing admin: What to look out for
Analysis: Outsourcing pensions administration or transitioning to a different provider can be a complicated and time-consuming process. What steps can trustees take to smooth the journey?
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FeaturesScapa sticks to risk management strategy with Pie
Adhesive tape manufacturer Scapa has carried out a pension increase exchange exercise, in its latest move to manage the cost and risk of its legacy defined benefit scheme.
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FeaturesEnvironment Agency fund in surplus with ESG
Strong investment returns have lifted the Environment Agency Active Pension Fund into surplus, as it challenged the industry to collaborate to improve uptake of environmental, social and governance-related strategies.
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Features
Deficits have dropped, but how should schemes react?
Analysis: While there has been a recent improvement in defined benefit pension fund deficits, market volatility, weak covenants and increasing longevity mean trustees should continue to keep a tight rein on risk and cost management.