All Mercer articles – Page 10
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OpinionWould Brexit mean less red tape for UK schemes?
Analysis: The volume of European regulatory changes has radically increased the governance burden on UK pension schemes in recent years; voting to leave the European Union must be tempting for trustees keen to cut the red tape.
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Opinion
Here to stay? Low interest rates and fixed income investing
Are low interest rates here to stay, and how can pension funds invest in bonds in this environment? In this first part of the Fixed Income Live series, Dalriada's Simon Cohen, Hymans Robertson's John Walbaum, Mercer's Joe Abrams, PGIM's Edward Farley and Willis Towers Watson's Chris Redmond discuss where rates are going and what this means for schemes.
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News
LGPS to meet cost of GMP inflation proofing
A quirk in regulation could leave the Local Government Pension Scheme and several other public sector arrangements responsible for meeting the costs of inflation-proofing the benefits of members retiring between April 2016 and December 2018.
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Opinion
Innovation within the charge cap
DC Investment Quarterly: Ever since defined contribution funds have had to demonstrate value for money to members, they have sought to drive up performance of the investment strategy while controlling volatility.
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News
Consultancy looks to group small schemes for bulk annuity scale
Consultancy KPMG is looking to group small schemes together before bringing them to the bulk insurance market, allowing them to better access the buy-in and buyout markets, but rivals have said governance could prove a challenge.
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Features
How pension schemes reacted to volatility amid a turbulent 2015
Analysis: Volatile markets and economic uncertainty drove pension schemes into multi-asset strategies and alternative assets in 2015, data show, as they looked to mitigate losses from equity markets.
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News
Transfers to be streamlined as more ask for quotes
The Pensions Regulator will introduce new guidance to ensure transfers between defined contribution schemes are completed promptly, the government said last week. This comes as defined benefit transfer values recovered in January after hitting a low in December.
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News
Member-borne commission ban could move costs elsewhere
The Department for Work and Pensions has launched a consultation on draft regulations for banning member-borne commission in auto-enrolment schemes, but experts said costs would still need to be shouldered elsewhere.
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OpinionSpeed dating for LGPS funds: How to choose your pooling partner
The government-imposed asset pooling of Local Government Pension Scheme funds forces committees to ask themselves on what basis they will choose pooling partners. Mercer’s Jo Holden gives tips on what schemes should focus on.
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OpinionFall in accounting deficits no reason to cheer
From the blog: IAS accounting deficits belonging to defined benefit pension schemes have improved, but schemes should not get their hopes up about funding positions.
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NewsTesting market conditions greet 2016
Market volatility is here to stay, experts have said, urging defined benefit trustees to assess their risk management frameworks and eliminate unintended exposures as the year kicks off.
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NewsScapa saves £600k through flexible retirement exercise
Adhesive tape manufacturer Scapa Group has saved around £600,000 by offering flexible retirement options to some deferred members of its defined benefit scheme, clearing more than £10m of liabilities.
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News
DB funding pressure rises but scheme closures plateau
Data Analysis: The aggregate funding level of UK defined benefit schemes has deteriorated again despite asset allocation trends moving towards lower-risk investments, but the number of schemes open to new members has stayed level.
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NewsAutumn Statement gives pensions industry a breather
The pensions industry has learned to brace itself for surprise over the last couple of years, so was relieved to escape relatively unscathed in Wednesday’s Autumn Statement.
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News
Tough timescales for asset pooling put LGPS on the spot
The government’s much-anticipated criteria for the reform of Local Government Pension Scheme investment contains few surprises, but industry experts have raised concerns over the tight timescales for funds to prepare and implement complex proposals.
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NewsSainsbury's and ITV get creative to tackle deficit challenge
Broadcaster ITV and retailer Sainsbury’s are just two household-name employers to announce “chunky” new deficit funding to weather the harsh conditions buffeting defined benefit pension schemes.
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NewsHMRC figures on flexibilities leave questions unanswered
The ‘dearth of information’ on pension freedoms bemoaned in a recent Work and Pensions Committee report could have been remedied by HM Revenue & Customs figures released yesterday, but industry representatives said the report lacked detail.
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Features
How UK plc is responding to the challenges of an ageing workforce
Data Analysis: UK employers are waking up to the reality of increasing longevity but government, the pensions industry and individuals need to redouble their efforts in order to combat the financial risks it poses.
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News
UK plc: Engagement is key to get more DC bang for employer buck
Data Analysis: Employee engagement with pension schemes is topping the agenda for businesses, with many saying the freedom and choice reforms have improved schemes' ability to generate good retirement incomes.
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Features
Long-term view clouded by uncertainty for LGPS
Long-term risk-reduction planning remains the priority for the Local Government Pension Scheme, but growing uncertainty about the future is making it difficult for member funds to carve out strategic objectives.