All articles by Pensions Expert – Page 28
-
Opinion
DC Debate Q2 (part 2): The limits of DC
In the second DC Debate of 2017, seven defined contribution specialists discuss why schemes will look for more delegation, whether member engagement can be counterproductive, and if auto-enrolment should be extended.
-
Opinion
DC Debate Q2 (part 1): Are equities best for defaults?
In the second DC Debate of 2017, seven defined contribution specialists discuss ESG in default funds, and what to say to members when markets fall.
-
Features
How has the smart beta sector evolved?
How has the smart beta market developed? Eric Shirbini from ERI Scientific Beta, Julien Barral from bfinance, Alan Pickering from Bestrustees, James Price from Willis Towers Watson and Paul Black from Capital Cranfield discuss the range of new opportunities and how the sector has changed.
-
OpinionIs the 'gilts plus' model broken?
The best way to calculate scheme liabilities has been the topic of much debate since defined benefit deficits have started making the headlines. So is the gilts plus model appropriate? Six experts, including from the Pensions Regulator, come together to discuss the merits of different valuation methods.
-
Opinion
What alternative valuation methods can schemes use?
What options do schemes have apart from ‘gilts plus’ to find out how well funded they are? Paul McGlone from Aon Hewitt, David Weeks from the Association of Member Nominated Trustees, Jonathan Reynolds from Capital Cranfield Trustees, Leslie Scrine from the M&G Group Pension Scheme, Andrew Cheeseman from Pan Trustees and Andrew Young from the Pensions Regulator discuss scheme valuation methods.
-
Opinion
How should trustees and employers negotiate valuations?
Should trustees and scheme sponsors discuss valuation methodology or are there bigger concerns? Paul McGlone from Aon Hewitt, David Weeks from the Association of Member Nominated Trustees, Jonathan Reynolds from Capital Cranfield Trustees, Leslie Scrine from the M&G Group Pension Scheme, Andrew Cheeseman from Pan Trustees and Andrew Young from the Pensions Regulator talk about their experience on both sides.
-
Opinion
Does ‘gilts plus’ lead to inappropriate investment strategies?
Should valuation assumptions be a function of the investment strategy? What does the regulator say about the gilts-plus approach? Paul McGlone from Aon Hewitt, David Weeks from the Association of Member Nominated Trustees, Jonathan Reynolds from Capital Cranfield, Leslie Scrine from the M&G Group Pension Scheme, Andrew Cheeseman from Pan Trustees and Andrew Young from the Pensions Regulator discuss scheme valuation methods.
-
OpinionHow schemes can use credit in uncertain times
How should pension fund investors use credit? Where can the best opportunities be found, how liquid is the asset class, and how important is it to have the right manager? Five specialists discuss the pros and cons of credit assets in a rapidly changing world.
-
Opinion
Does credit investment all come down to manager selection?
What made a successful credit investor over the past year? Does bottom-up analysis still matter in world shaped by macro events? Bestrustees’ Bob Hymas, PGIM’s Jonathan Butler, PTL’s Richard Butcher, Redington’s Greg Fedorenko and Willis Towers Watson’s Chris Redmond share their views in the final part of our fixed income roundtable.
-
Opinion
Which types of credit generate the highest returns?
How have different credit types performed, and why should schemes tread carefully when it comes to direct lending? Bestrustees’ Bob Hymas, PGIM’s Jonathan Butler, PTL’s Richard Butcher, Redington’s Greg Fedorenko and Willis Towers Watson’s Chris Redmond share their views.
-
Opinion
What role does credit play in a portfolio?
How can schemes of different sizes get the best exposure, and is the asset class liquid when it needs to be? Bestrustees’ Bob Hymas, PGIM’s Jonathan Butler, PTL’s Richard Butcher, Redington’s Greg Fedorenko and Willis Towers Watson’s Chris Redmond discuss credit investment.
-
Opinion
DC Debate Q1 (part 1): Which investment strategies work for DC investors?
In the first DC Debate of 2017, eight defined contribution specialists discuss the pros and cons of illiquid assets, traditional indices and smart beta strategies.
-
Opinion
DC Debate Q1 (part 2): How can the industry create value for savers?
In the first DC Debate of 2017, eight defined contribution specialists discuss the benefits of building a dashboard and look at the charge cap and whether the industry has come closer to defining value for money.
-
OpinionLDI: How hedging strategies should be adapted for the cash flow era
How has liability-driven investment evolved recently, and how does it need to change to be fit for the future? Six experts discuss the issues and opportunities for LDI.
-
Opinion
How can LDI be combined with cash flow delivery?
How should maturing pension schemes adapt their LDI strategies to meet increasing cash flow demands, and what solutions can help them navigate collateral issues? Axa Investment Managers’ Jonathan Crowther, Barnett Waddingham’s Sophia Heathcoat, Dalriada Trustees’ Simon Cohen, Hymans Robertson’s Alen Ong, Law Debenture’s David Felder and Standard Life Investments’ Mark Foster discuss.
-
Opinion
Is there still a place for triggers in LDI strategies?
How should schemes react to never seeing their hedging triggers hit, and is a time-based strategy better suited to the current rates environment? Axa Investment Managers' Jonathan Crowther, Barnett Waddingham's Sophia Heathcoat, Dalriada Trustees' Simon Cohen, Hymans Robertson's Alen Ong, Law Debenture's David Felder and Standard Life Investments' Mark Foster pick apart the implementation issues for today's LDI investors.
-
Opinion
What changes are needed in LDI strategies?
Where are interest rates going to move over the next few years, and should schemes be worried by signs of rising inflation? Is cash flow the overriding concern? Axa Investment Managers' Jonathan Crowther, Barnett Waddingham's Sophia Heathcoat, Dalriada Trustees' Simon Cohen, Hymans Robertson's Alen Ong, Law Debenture's David Felder and Standard Life Investments' Mark Foster discuss.
-
News
How has LDI changed over the last year?
Have falling interest rates over the last year finally persuaded trustees and sponsors that yields may not revert to the mean, or do they expose liability hedging as expensive flattery of scheme balance sheets? Axa Investment Managers' Jonathan Crowther, Barnett Waddingham's Sophia Heathcoat, Dalriada Trustees' Simon Cohen, Hymans Robertson's Alen Ong, Law Debenture's David Felder and Standard Life Investments' Mark Foster discuss.
-
OpinionSmart beta: What it can do for DC, and how the sector needs to change
Five experts discuss the current state of the smart beta market, what schemes should consider when investing, and what role smart beta can play in the defined contribution space.
-
Features
What changes are needed in the smart beta sector?
What risks still exist in smart beta investing, and how can pension funds spot them? Does the industry need to change to attract greater scheme interest? AQR’s Scott Richardson, Capital Cranfield’s Jonathan Reynolds, RPMI Railpen’s Steve Artingstall, SpenceJohnson’s Robert Holford and Xerox HR Services’ Simon Hill discuss.