All News articles – Page 294
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News
Vodafone revisits scheme comms after bringing onboard 6,200 members
Vodafone is reviewing its communication strategy after a significant increase in the size of its defined contribution pension plan following auto-enrolment and an influx of members from its Cable & Wireless acquisition.
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How the PPI's answers to the adequacy question stack up
The Pensions Policy Institute has said higher statutory contribution levels for median-higher earners and more contribution-matching could improve retirement outcomes, but has received a mixed response including warnings of unintended consequences.
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Tax changes: how they affect scheme rules
Schemes have been urged to move quickly to prepare for forthcoming changes to pension tax legislation, with the new ‘uncrystallised funds pension lump sum’ expected to prove popular among members.
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Railpen chief’s fees comments trigger transparency calls
Industry figures have called for more transparency around charges from asset managers after Railpen Investments said upfront fees were as little as a fifth of its total fees paid.
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Schemes consider money purchase reversion to reduce employer risk
Legal experts have reported that schemes caught by the recent change in the definition of money purchase are trying to amend their benefits structures to remove the additional risk of guarantees.
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Saul: convertibles could spread as schemes look to reduce volatility
Saul's outgoing chief executive has predicted that its use of convertible bonds to dampen pension fund volatility could catch on at other schemes, but some advisers remain sceptical of the benefits offered.
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NewsRegulator nets £184m from Lehmans as cases treble
The Pensions Regulator’s unprecedented £184m settlement for the members of the Lehman Brothers pension scheme is its biggest trophy in a growing anti-avoidance campaign, with the number of investigations trebling since last year.
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Personnel shortage anticipated for independent governance bodies
Independent governance committees could be hampered by a shortage of experienced professionals as contract-based scheme providers race to set up bodies by April 2015, with industry figures suggesting sharing personnel.
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Yes or No: schemes brace for Scottish independence vote
Pension scheme managers and industry experts are focusing on tax and cross-border funding requirements as challenges that could arise out of next month’s Scottish independence vote, regardless of the outcome.
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DB steals limelight in 75% of hybrid scheme trustee meetings
Three-quarters of hybrid scheme trustees spend more time on their defined benefit offerings than defined contribution, sparking concerns that they are failing to respond to the shift to DC.
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IASB proposal could hit sponsor-scheme funding strategies
A proposed change to pensions accounting guidance around surpluses could lead to trustees having to renegotiate their financing arrangements with employers and shifting towards non-cash vehicles.
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Interest rate uncertainty a concern for employer covenants
Interest rate rises could have a negative effect on covenant strength as some companies are forced to refinance at higher rates, advisers have said, and trustees should keep a watching brief to mitigate any resultant impact on their sponsors' ability to pay scheme contributions.
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Tenth of employers weigh up medium-term DC drawdown offering
One in 10 UK employers have said they will offer members post-retirement drawdown facilities within their defined contribution scheme in three to five years, according to a poll, but advisers still doubt trustees’ desire to govern such provision.
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Schemes have scope to delve deeper into illiquids, but confidence lacking
Defined benefit schemes are showing increased interest in illiquid alternatives as they hunt greater yield and diversification, but many lack sufficient resources and the confidence needed to execute such investments.
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How the PPF's contingent asset shift could affect your scheme
The Pension Protection Fund will publish in October the conclusion of its consultation on making the certification of contingent assets more transparent, after around half a sample of type A contingent assets failed a stress test.
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DB-to-DC transfers forecast to impact on derisking strategies
Investment experts have predicted liability-driven investment programmes could become more tricky since the chancellor gave the green light to transfers from defined benefit to defined contribution, with schemes finding find it more difficult to predict liabilities.
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Nest sizes up green technology as it sharpens ESG focus
Nest is looking to benefit from a low-carbon economy through investments in green technology, in a triennial update of its investment beliefs announced today.
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NewsHow your scheme could benefit from the Arcadia CPI judgment
Employers have been encouraged to assess whether they can switch from the retail prices index to the consumer price index to reduce their liabilities, after a High Court ruling last week.
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Church of England scheme boosts funding level with 20% equity growth
The Church of England Funded Pension Scheme has seen an improvement in its funding level thanks to asset outperformance, in particular from equities, as it looks to increase its illiquid asset holdings.
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How LGPS members are responding to collective investment reform
Advocates of public sector pension reform have warned that regional initiatives could 'water down' savings for local authority funds from planned changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme.