Latest articles from Emma Powell

Lancashire increases employer contributions to mitigate maturing membership

Lancashire Pension Fund has added lump-sum payments to its annual employer contributions to make up for reduced cash flow from a declining active membership.

NHS scheme moves to improve struggling employer comms

The NHS Pension Scheme will tailor its communication to different employer types to provide them with more support in fulfilling their obligations, after a survey revealed substantial criticism of its approach.

TfL faces fresh demands for contract worker DB membership

TfL faces fresh demands for contract worker DB membership

Transport union RMT has reignited calls for all Transport for London employees undertaking work on a contract basis to be allowed to join its defined benefit pension fund.

Low-cost passive DC loses ground as schemes seek 'smoothed' returns

The number of FTSE 100 trust-based defined contribution schemes using lower-cost, fully passive management for their default options has dropped by almost a half as diversified growth funds become more popular, research has found.

LPFA boosts in-house investment team as it focuses on illiquids

The London Pensions Fund Authority is strengthening its in-house investment capabilities in order to reduce investment costs and diversify further into illiquid assets.

Lafarge doubles contributions to cut deficit

LaFarge boosts contributions

Building materials manufacturer Lafarge has more than doubled its contributions to its UK pension fund after scheme and sponsor negotiated a beefed-up recovery plan to tackle the funding deficit.

BT suspends flexible retirement options during review

BT has suspended its flexible retirement option while it reviews the conditions under which it will consent to BT Pension Scheme members taking early payment of their pension while continuing to work at the communications company.

Consultants expect DC flexibility to drive DB member transfers

Defined benefit schemes could see a short-term increase in requests from members to switch their benefits into defined contribution schemes, due to potential government plans to restrict such transfers, benefit consultants have predicted.

The Review: How pot-follows-member could work in practice

PE Review – Mushens and Markham

Video: Jeffrey Mushens, technical director at Tisa Exchange and James Markham, managing director of SBC Systems, talk about how technology can help schemes implement pensions consolidation, with both favouring a structure that places the burden on the receiving scheme (5:36).

Charge cap consultation ramps up governance, weakens employers

News analysis: Defined contribution scheme representatives will see governance responsibilities increase after the pensions minister announces further reforms to ensure members get value – with a backdrop of industry debate on the charges cap.