Latest articles from Alex Janiaud

Nearly half of the self-employed do not have a pension

An unhealthy minority of self-employed workers in the UK do not currently save into a pension, according to new research. Nearly a third will depend solely upon the state pension to support them in retirement.

Should schemes use social media to engage with members?

Source: Bloomberg

Any other business: On July 26, members of the Teachers’ Pensions Scheme were informed via Facebook that their service was experiencing disruption. Later that day, they were told that access had been restored. Some members disagreed.

Avon asset managers warned over poor performance

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The Avon Pension Fund has raised the prospect of dropping some of its active managers after a significant period of underperformance.

Automation improves insurer scheme admin but work still to do

The Royal Insurance Group Pension Scheme has reported a “considerable improvement in service” from administrator Willis Towers Watson, after two years of problems that have hurt the scheme’s ability to service transfer requests.

Mid-market direct lending approach 'too constraining', WTW says

Mid-market direct lending is “now demonstrating signs of material deterioration in credit underwriting and future return potential”, according to a report by consultancy Willis Towers Watson, which is instead recommending its clients invest in debt for US real estate and UK commercial real estate.

SES Water cites Ofwat price review in proposed scheme closure

SES Water, formerly known as Sutton and East Surrey Water, has opened a consultation with members on the closure of its defined benefit section to future accrual, citing efficiencies demanded by water regulator Ofwat.

South Yorkshire builds dashboard to remedy data backlog

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The South Yorkshire Pensions Authority has developed a dashboard to help monitor information as part of a development plan to solve its longstanding data woes.

Johnson: With-profits a better alternative to risky CDC

Plans for collective defined contribution schemes are "a risk too far", and savers should instead be offered individual savings pots invested in with-profits funds, according to one of the architects of freedom and choice.

Review: Look Where You’re Going – The Life of Alan Pickering

Perhaps a professional trustee is an unlikely candidate for a published biography. But Paddy Briggs’ 'Look Where You’re Going', provides a fascinating insight into the remarkable life of Alan Pickering CBE.

How are target date funds innovating?

Experts have always found it impossible to analyse one without making comparisons with the other. As with footballing greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, no conversation about the target date fund has ever taken place without mentioning its competitor, the lifestyle fund.