More defined benefit news – Page 135
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Governance overhaul required to solve DB woes
An overhaul of trust-based pension schemes to separate trustee ‘directors’ from professional managers could have prevented a crisis in defined benefit pensions, a new report has claimed.
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No end to liability build-up for charity schemes
Some of the worst-funded not-for-profit scheme sponsors are unable to cease future accrual or limit future membership as defined benefit affordability continues to pose a threat to the sector.
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NewsWincanton runs ETV to drive liabilities down
The Wincanton Pension Scheme has embarked on an enhanced transfer value exercise in an attempt to further cap its obligations, after trivial commutations wiped £3.8m from its liabilities.
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NewsBA judgment shows value of diligent minute-taking
British Airways has lost a legal battle against the Airways Pension Scheme involving the trustees' decision to introduce a 0.2 per cent discretionary increase, as experts have stressed the importance of carefully documenting all decision-making processes.
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Regulator zeroes in on dividends
The Pensions Regulator has targeted employers who pay large dividends while underfunding defined benefit pension schemes in its latest annual funding statement, increasing the pressure on trustees to secure as much funding as possible.
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NewsTata and BSPS agree terms for PPF-plus deal
Trustees of the £15bn British Steel Pension Scheme have agreed the key commercial terms of a regulated apportionment arrangement with sponsor Tata Steel UK, which would see members offered modified benefits as part of a new scheme.
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NewsBlockchain and bitcoin: Trustees urged to adapt to change
Many are still unfamiliar with the concept of bitcoin and blockchain, but experts say the pensions industry must engage with technology and accept change to adapt to an increasingly digital world.
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Industry divided over retrospective changes to pensions
Nearly half of pensions professionals and scheme representatives believe that retrospective changes to pensions promises should be allowed, according to a recent survey, suggesting growing concern over the level of defined benefit liabilities.
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NewsNortel inches closer to PPF-plus as £5bn lockbox opened
The Nortel Networks UK Pension Plan is set to receive more than £1bn in assets from its insolvent sponsor Nortel in the coming months, after US and Canadian courts agreed to open a $7bn (£5.4bn) escrow ‘lockbox’.
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DWP hopes contracted-out transfers will smooth BHS deal
The Department for Work and Pensions has published “urgent” regulations for struggling contracted-out schemes, in a bid to protect pensioners during deals such as the regulated apportionment arrangement of BHS.
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Nolan: Inflexible actuaries and trustees harm DB employers
Trustees and their actuaries must consider the impact of deficits and funding negotiations on struggling defined benefit sponsors, the president of the Society of Pension Professionals has warned.
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Government's s75 proposals are a 'missed opportunity'
Experts have welcomed the government’s recent consultation proposing a new deferred debt arrangement for employers in multi-employer pension schemes, but concerns over complexity of employer debt regulation remain.
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NewsTata could inject £520m into BSPS in RAA bid
Tata Steel has reportedly offered to contribute £520m to the British Steel Pension Scheme as part of a bid to reach a regulated apportionment arrangement with UK pension authorities.
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NewsBromley tilts towards income as outflows bite
Faced with a projected cash outflow of nearly £5m in 2016-17, the London Borough of Bromley pension fund is trying to keep income up with a new investment strategy.
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NewsNo changes to Johnston Press equalisation despite missing documents
A legal dispute involving trustees of the Johnston Press Pension Plan about the equalisation of retirement ages has been put to bed by the Scottish Court of Session, using a quirk of law known as the “presumption of regularity”.
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FAMR makes headway but experts say further progress is needed
The Financial Conduct Authority has published a progress report on its Financial Advice Market Review, alongside a consultation that sets out proposed guidance, but reactions in the pensions industry show there is still a long way to go.
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NewsArcadia agrees shorter recovery plans as Green feels pressure
Arcadia Group has agreed to increase its scheduled contributions to its two pension schemes, a sign that public pressure and 'naming and shaming' may be having some impact.
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Lawyer survey highlights lack of clearance sought from regulator
Just 21 per cent of pensions and restructuring lawyers normally suggest that clients go through the Pensions Regulator’s clearing process, reflecting a similar decrease in clearance applications submitted.
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TPR guidance: Welcome set of principles or waste of time?
While some have welcomed the Pensions Regulator’s recently published and extensive collection of investment guidance for those running defined benefit pension schemes, there are some concerns over the effectiveness of the information for time-stretched or less diligent trustees.
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Dashboard prototype launch prompts next steps
Plans to deliver a pensions dashboard prototype by March 2017 have been completed, despite the complex nature of technology infrastructure involved. But while experts think the progress is encouraging, they say more needs to be done to maintain this momentum.