All Opinion articles – Page 71
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Opinion
The top three pension priorities
From the blog: With the introduction of the pension freedoms in April 2015, employees were given far greater flexibility to draw down their pension pot. But, despite it being nearly a year since the freedoms, many people are still unaware of just how their options have broadened.
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OpinionVolatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous
Talking Head: Redington’s Rob Gardner outlines how pension funds can take control in an unprecedented investment environment.
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OpinionThe GMP reconciliation deadline is fast approaching – how to get there if you’re late
We are rapidly approaching the end of contracting-out in April 2016. Gillian Hickey at Trafalgar House says what schemes can do to meet the 2018 deadline.
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OpinionFossil fuels: To divest or not to divest?
AllenbridgeEpic Investment Advisers’ Karen Shackleton looks at the arguments in favour and against divestment from fossil fuel companies.
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OpinionBrexit – a view from the Alps
Editorial: So it’s official, the referendum will be held in June. The battle for yea or nay – and for political careers – has begun.
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OpinionIORP II: What could still change?
State Street’s Oliver Berger gives the latest on IORP II and how far it is on the way to creating a pan-European pensions landscape.
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OpinionA trustee’s duties in the era of freedom and choice
Nest Corporation’s Otto Thoresen seeks answers to the question of what the scope of trustee duties might be since the introduction of freedom and choice.
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OpinionAn update from the Pensions Regulator
Talking Head: The Pensions Regulator’s Lesley Titcomb takes a closer look at whether small and micro employers have understood their auto-enrolment duties, and what can be done to support trustees in the 21st century.
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Opinion
FCA discussion paper outlines raft of challenges from ageing population
From the blog: The Financial Conduct Authority has released a discussion paper, 'Ageing population and financial services', aimed at advancing the debate on how the financial services industry can tackle the challenges and opportunities posed by demographic changes.
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Opinion
Use of ETFs could increase further
From the blog: Historically, UK pensions have tended to not invest directly in exchange-traded funds. There are several reasons for this. Traditionally schemes have relied on intermediaries and tended to outsource most or even all investment functions.
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Opinion
How to use bonds in default funds after freedom and choice
Bonds in default funds for UK defined contribution pensions have come under scrutiny since freedom and choice. While lots of schemes and workplace providers have already altered default fund strategies, many have yet to do so.
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OpinionA welcome surprise from small employers
Talking Head: Pick up any pension magazine at the moment and you’re likely to find a lot of stories about auto-enrolment. Unsurprisingly, given that 1.8m small employers are starting to stage this year, there is a lot of talk about the challenges they might face.
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OpinionIll-health pensions – What you need to know
The award of ill-health early retirement pensions can be a challenging and emotive subject for members and decision-makers alike, so it is no surprise that a substantial number of member complaints relate to ill-health pensions.
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OpinionA slippery slope
Editorial: European bank shares slid earlier this week as investors became increasingly worried about banks’ ability to pay coupons on so-called coco bonds, or contingent convertible bonds – bonds that turn into equity if a certain trigger event is taking place.
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OpinionKeep calm and understand your risks
From the blog: Equity markets are volatile. This is not news, but reading some of the recent pensions press you could be forgiven for thinking that it was.
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OpinionStriking a balance amid rising longevity
Talking Head: The Lancashire and London Pensions Partnership’s Michael O’Higgins says in the face of increasing liabilities, it is even more important to get the balance right between security and returns.
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Opinion
Should member communications be tailored to gender?
Women take career breaks more often, live longer and might have different attitudes to finance. Royal London’s Fiona Tait looks at whether member communications should reflect that.
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OpinionIn defence of lay trustees
From the blog: The Pensions Regulator has found that professional-only trustee boards are better run. That’s not all that surprising. However, non-professionals have lots to bring to trustee boards and their value should not be underestimated.
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OpinionInfrastructure projects: The potential and the risks
Michael Wilkins from Standard & Poor’s sets out the key risk factors investors should consider when choosing infrastructure projects.
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Opinion
Corporate schemes shore up portfolios with fixed income and LDI allocations
Data analysis: UK corporate defined benefit schemes upped their allocations to fixed income in the last quarter of 2015, data show, as trustees took the opportunity to hedge out further risk by increasing liability-driven investments.