Data analysis: Many FTSE 350 defined benefit schemes are taking "a surprisingly high level of risk" in their investment strategies in spite of the Pensions Regulator's increased focus on sustainable growth, a recent report has warned.
DB schemes responding to challenges, but is it enough?
|
August 4, 2015
From the blog: Defined benefit pension schemes are showing greater sophistication in their approaches to risk and improving their funding levels, but the challenging wider economic environment is hampering efforts.
Consultancy Aon Hewitt's latest 'Global Pension Risk Survey' has shown schemes have put greater focus on objectives and shifted away from risky assets, but low gilt yields have pushed up the cost of future liabilities and slowed progress towards funding objectives.
National Trust DB scheme closes to future accrual after deficit jump
|
August 3, 2015
Conservation charity the National Trust is closing its defined benefit scheme to future accrual following a large increase in the deficit, but the union is considering further action to reopen negotiations.
High-earner tax relief threat poses new challenge for employers
|
July 31, 2015
News analysis: Scrapping tax breaks for high earners could present a communication challenge for trustees, as the government weighs up ideas for potentially radical reforms of the current pension tax relief system.
LGPS sharpens focus on collaboration as consultation looms
|
July 30, 2015
News analysis: Local authority schemes are poised for the outcome of a consultation on collaboration which could compel them to pool their investment assets to save on costs.
The other glass ceiling: how women are being left behind on pensions
|
July 28, 2015
From the blog: Alongside concerns that women comprise a large but undervalued section of the workforce, a growing body of research warns they also risk getting a bad deal at retirement.
Earlier this summer, provider Scottish Widows’ Retirement Report 2015 showed women were behind the curve when it came to saving adequately for retirement.
This week, research from provider Fidelity reached a similar conclusion, finding that women were less likely to have either a defined contribution or defined benefit pot, as well as a heavier reliance on the state pension.
Scheme hunger for alts drives fragmentation and innovation
|
July 27, 2015
From the blog: Scheme maturity as well as changes to regulations and accounting rules have been the driving factors behind portfolio diversification over the past 50 years, boosting pension scheme appetite for alternatives and overseas investments.
Asset manager UBS's annual Pension Fund Indicator report points to greater fragmentation and larger allocations to overseas assets as key trends for pension fund investors.
What your scheme could learn from the PPF's approach
|
July 23, 2015
The Pension Protection Fund has further increased its scheme funding level to 115 per cent and experts have said other defined benefit schemes could adopt its risk management approach to improve their results.
How schemes should react to Carney rate rise hint
|
July 22, 2015
News analysis: The Bank of England has bolstered expectations of a rate rise by the end of the year, but experts have said while schemes should not overreact, they should consider their position ahead of any changes.
More savers, less saving: latest on auto-enrolment
|
July 21, 2015
From the blog: Participation in UK workplace pensions has risen over the last decade, with auto-enrolment offsetting a downward trend since its introduction in 2012. However, the flood of new members has also served to dilute contributions in private sector schemes.
The DWP report, entitled Workplace pension participation and saving trends of employees eligible for automatic enrolment is the second in a series of annual updates during the implementation of auto-enrolment.
It looks at changes in saving, both in terms of number of people and the amount of money saved, to measure the success of auto-enrolment against its goals.
Most Viewed
- LGPS latest: GLIL backers invest £475m for UK infrastructure push
- What does Labour have in store for the pensions industry?
- Dashboard costs rose by 23% in 2023, figures show
- Border to Coast launches UK strategy in major private markets push
- How the pensions industry can better support people with mental health problems