Latest articles from Maxine Kelly

Property helps plumbing scheme to £3m surplus

The Plumbing and Mechanical Services Industry Pension Scheme has reported a rare surplus of £3m in its preliminary valuation results, boosted in part by a ‘sell high, buy low’ approach to its property investments.

SPC: Derisking market facing capacity bottleneck

DB scheme liabilities

Analysis: The Society of Pension Consultants and derisking specialists have cautioned that the buyout market might not be able to keep up with increased demand from defined benefit schemes looking to insure member liabilities.

Asda reports 'stunning' 8% opt-out rate following auto-enrolment

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Asda has announced an auto-enrolment opt-out rate of just 8 per cent of its eligible workforce following its staging date last year, the latest major UK employer to report higher-than-expected engagement from employees.

How to close your auto-enrolment software gap

News analysis: The payroll sector has blamed friction with some employers on companies' lack of understanding of their auto-enrolment requirements, arguing they should begin collaborating with their software provider at least six months ahead of their staging date.

Notting Hill latest housing association to shut DB scheme

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Notting Hill Housing is to close its defined benefit scheme to future accrual from September 30 this year, as a rising deficit in the Social Housing Pension Scheme puts extra demand on employer contribution levels.

Social housing employers facing DB breaking point

A trio of social housing associations is taking urgent action to address pressures on their defined benefit scheme funding, as worsening deficits and rising contributions come to a head. 

Capacity crunch for call centres as AE hits peak

The UK’s largest mastertrusts have steeled themselves for a helpline capacity crunch as auto-enrolment reaches its peak year.

United Utilities scrutinising target date funds

United Utilities (from press office)

The United Utilities Group pension scheme is one of a growing number of schemes exploring target date funds, but it has doubts about whether the strategy can deliver good member outcomes.

Private sector schemes line up for EM 'super investment mandate'

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Around 40 private sector schemes are lining up to enter into an emerging market equities "super investment mandate" that pools consulting and management charges with other schemes.

Firms sceptical over appetite for risk-sharing

The government has missed its opportunity to get employer support for a drive towards risk-sharing pension schemes, according to industry figures.