Two employers have explained how they make sure trustees are regularly trained, after a Pensions Regulator survey shows half of schemes do not have a training plan.

Clwyd Pension Fund has allocated 2 per cent of its assets to timberland and agriculture, attracted by the chance to earn higher returns and hedge against a rise in inflation.

Industry experts have warned that schemes using LDI strategies may face higher costs and additional risks when the European Market Infrastructure Regulation’s collateral diversity requirements come into force. 

The Scottish Public Pensions Agency has produced a contingency plan to mitigate against administrative risks, as it combines the service provisions for two other emergency service public sector schemes.

Pensions minister Steve Webb has tried to assuage the concerns of defined contribution schemes by implying the guaranteed retirement guidance could be delivered in less intensive ways than face-to-face meetings.

Local authority pension schemes have come out in support of proposals to pool local government pension scheme assets into two common investment vehicles.

The Pensions Regulator is considering requiring formal qualifications for independent trustees and trustee chairs, in order to raise governance standards, its executive director told delegates at Wednesday’s conference.

The London Pensions Fund Authority’s risk-based approach to setting contribution rates has identified around twice the number of employers that may need to provide greater solvency guarantees after its latest valuation.

Employers have managed to keep active scheme member fees steady while scrapping higher charges for deferred members, after one provider agreed to swallow the cost of next year's ban.