More defined benefit news – Page 145

  • Legal & General
    News

    Secondary annuities: Govt starts putting down advice parameters

    2015-12-09T00:00:00Z

    Many pensioners hoping to sell their annuities on the open market will be required to seek financial advice before doing so, the government has announced, as the industry awaits further detail on the structure of the secondary annuity market.

  • News

    Regulator aims to 'eradicate surprises' with risk management guide

    2015-12-08T00:00:00Z

    The Pensions Regulator has issued a practical guide on integrated risk management to help trustees assess and respond to covenant, investment and funding risks, but experts have said schemes will need additional help. 

  • News

    Scapa saves £600k through flexible retirement exercise

    2015-12-08T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • News

    Fid man assets surpass £100bn but cynicism persists

    2015-12-07T00:00:00Z

    Pension assets under fiduciary management hit £114bn during 2015, but independent trustees remain sceptical of the alignment of interests underpinning such arrangements.

  • News

    DB funding pressure rises but scheme closures plateau

    2015-12-03T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • The Iron Bridge (Shropshire)
    News

    Shire funds ‘keeping options open’ for asset pooling

    2015-12-01T00:00:00Z

    A group of seven Local Government Pension Scheme funds has appointed a manager to run a joint £6.5bn passive mandate, but funds involved in the arrangement say longer-term plans for pooling are still under discussion.

  • Getty Images
    News

    Brewer's 'salami' derisking tactic is no small beer for liabilities

    2015-12-01T00:00:00Z

    Midlands-based brewer Marston’s has bought in more than a third of its pension scheme liabilities since 2013 through a series of deals aimed at reducing volatility across its long-dated obligations and providing added security for members.

  • News

    The Pensions Trust tackles state pension confusion

    2015-11-30T00:00:00Z

    The Pensions Trust has updated member communications to prepare for the end of contracting out, as research has shown low levels of understanding about the state pension changes.

  • News

    Tough timescales for asset pooling put LGPS on the spot

    2015-11-26T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • News

    SPV helps Johnson Matthey reduce deficit by £145m

    2015-11-20T00:00:00Z

    Johnson Matthey Pension Scheme has reduced its deficit by around £145m after taking a raft of measures to address its funding shortfall, including the creation of an asset-backed contribution vehicle comprised of third-party bonds.

  • News

    Shared pain, shared gain: Will risk-sharing get its day in the sun?

    2015-11-20T00:00:00Z

    News Analysis: Collective defined contribution schemes have been put on ice by the pensions minister though the idea could come back on the agenda in the future. But are UK employers ready for risk-sharing?

  • News

    LGPS pooling puts in-house investment in the spotlight

    2015-11-19T00:00:00Z

    News Analysis: Local authority pension fund pooling activity is gathering pace ahead of an upcoming government consultation on criteria for cutting costs, bringing with it a push towards greater in-house investment capability.

  • Getty Images
    News

    Smiths uses escrow to help slash £250m from scheme deficit

    2015-11-18T00:00:00Z

    Technology and engineering conglomerate Smiths Group has signed over its £153m escrow account to its scheme in a deal that demonstrates the positive outcomes that can be achieved through strong trustee and employer collaboration.

  • News

    Methodist Church seeks £25m saving by converting to CPI

    2015-11-16T00:00:00Z

    The Methodist Church Council is consulting with all scheme members, including existing pensioners, on a proposal to link future pension increases to the consumer price index in an bid to temper the rising cost of defined benefit provision.

  • News

    Premier Foods eats away at deficit by more than £570m

    2015-11-13T00:00:00Z

    Food manufacturing company Premier Foods decimated its IAS 19 deficit to £32.8m from £603.3m since December 2013 thanks to its hedging strategy and a change in discount rates.

  • Getty Images
    News

    Sainsbury's and ITV get creative to tackle deficit challenge

    2015-11-12T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • News

    Rebus reviews funding strategy in self-sufficiency drive

    2015-11-10T00:00:00Z

    Rebus Pension Scheme is shooting for funding self-sufficiency with a review of its investment strategy aimed at boosting returns and diversification, but some commentators have raised questions over its loose definition.

  • News

    First Aberdeen drivers see pensionable pay drop

    2015-11-06T00:00:00Z

    FirstGroup changed the basis for its calculation of pensionable pay last year to comply with auto-enrolment legislation, but the nationwide shift has disproportionately impacted the benefits of First Aberdeen bus drivers. 

  • News

    QE placing pension systems in jeopardy

    2015-11-06T00:00:00Z

    Data Analysis: Quantitative easing has exacerbated the movement of pension risk from employers to individuals, placing the future of the entire system at risk,  according to a report published last week.

  • News

    How schemes can protect their members online

    2015-11-05T00:00:00Z

    Trustees must be extra vigilant in their assessment of online platforms and review data-handling processes to protect members from the growing threat of cyber crime, experts have said.