More defined benefit news – Page 59
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NewsTPR urges schemes to get GMP equalisation done
On the go: The Pensions Regulator is urging schemes to engage with their administrators and complete guaranteed minimum pensions equalisation, as there is a sense of urgency for older members.
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NewsFTSE 350 DB scheme payments up £45bn after pension freedoms
On the go: The introduction of pension freedoms in 2015 has contributed an estimated £45bn of additional benefit payments made by FTSE 350 defined benefit schemes, research from Barnett Waddingham has revealed.
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NewsIsio snaps up Premier Pensions
On the go: Isio has announced the acquisition of Premier Pensions, subject to approval by the Financial Conduct Authority.
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NewsPodcast: No way to avoid the indexation ‘rules lottery’ as inflation bites
Podcast: High inflation will spur more schemes to look to switch from the retail price index to the consumer price index, but there is still no way around the “rules lottery”. Eversheds Sutherland partner Stuart Earle and Aon partner Lynda Whitney discuss inflation, the botched attempt to raise the normal minimum pension age, and a new value for money framework.
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NewsReal Good Food uses sale proceeds to wipe DB deficit
On the go: Liverpool-based cake decoration specialist Real Good Food has used the proceeds from the sale of its snack bar business to “eliminate” its defined benefit scheme deficit.
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NewsONS data shows drop in deficit payments as life expectancy flatlines
On the go: New data from the Office for National Statistics has revealed a significant drop in defined benefit scheme deficit repayment contributions, while the impact of the pandemic can now be seen in nationwide life expectancy data.
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NewsGovt proposes GMP revaluation rate of 3.25%
On the go: The Department for Work and Pensions is proposing to lower the guaranteed minimum pension fixed rate revaluation for early leavers by 0.25 percentage points.
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NewsRoyal Mail CDC scheme closer to reality as consultation launches
Royal Mail has launched a consultation on its new collective defined contribution scheme, detailing the structure of the new pension fund, which the postal company is aiming to launch in 2022.
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NewsSelecta UK scheme agrees £250m full buy-in with Legal & General
On the go: The Selecta UK Pension Plan has completed a £250m full buy-in with Legal & General Assurance.
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NewsGuidance ‘stronger nudge’ still poses more questions than answers
Regulators are unclear about how the take-up levels of pensions guidance should look like as a result of the “stronger nudge”, since parts of the proposal have yet to be tested, the Work and Pensions Committee has heard.
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NewsDashboards programme ‘on track’ amid industry concerns
The pensions dashboards project is expected to remain on track to meet its publicised timeline, the programme’s principal Chris Curry told a Work and Pensions Committee hearing on Wednesday, amid industry concerns that the existing timeline is not feasible.
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NewsKeysight plan agrees buy-in, motor industry section reaches buyout
Risk Watch: A roundup up of the latest derisking transactions, including the Keysight Technologies plan’s £250m deal with Just Group and Ashwal Garage’s insurance transaction with Aviva.
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NewsDB schemes faced with £46bn in extra liabilities as inflation spikes
On the go: Defined benefit schemes were hit by a £46bn spike in liabilities in September due to the fall in net interest rates, following the biggest hike in consumer prices since 1997 in August, according to analysis from XPS Pensions Group.
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NewsStrike ballot set for October in ongoing USS row
On the go: The University and College Union has announced it will ballot staff over strike action in October following a breakdown in negotiations over the Universities Superannuation Scheme’s controversial 2020 valuation.
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NewsTaskforce lays out measures to boost schemes’ voting powers
The Taskforce on Pension Scheme Voting Implementation has called on the Department for Work and Pensions and the Financial Conduct Authority to create templates and requirements aimed at boosting asset owners’ ability to vote, especially in pooled funds.
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NewsInsurers called to protect trustees against GMP claims
The lack of statutory protection afforded to trustees means the insurance industry will have to shield these professionals against claims related to guaranteed minimum pension equalisation in cases where benefits are secured with annuity providers, legal experts have warned, while uncertainty about trustees’ obligations remains.
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NewsBulk annuity deals’ strong momentum to carry on into 2022
On the go: Around £25bn worth of bulk annuity transactions is expected by the end of the year, recovering from a slow start and creating momentum expected to carry over to trades in 2022, according to Aon’s latest risk settlement market update.
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NewsPension risk transfer activity expected to increase in H2 2021
Data crunch: Although UK pension schemes have shown a reduced appetite for risk transfers so far this year, there could be a rise in the number of buyout and buy-in deals that will be completed during the second half of 2021.
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NewsJohn Laing agrees £320m deal with Aviva, Artemis finalises full buy-in
Risk Watch: A roundup up of the latest derisking transactions, including the John Laing Pension Fund deal with Aviva, and Artemis Pension Plan’s full buy-in with Just Group.
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NewsStatements season could cause mayhem for admins, PASA warns
On the go: The creation of a statements season could cause “significant difficulties, additional and unnecessary costs, and adverse implications” for schemes and administrators if a route of a common valuation date is chosen, the Pensions Administration Standards Association has warned.