All PwC articles – Page 6
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NewsBattle to plug deficits continues as FTSE 100 see £8bn deterioration
The total pension deficit of FTSE 100 defined benefit schemes worsened by an estimated £8bn, bringing the total to £57bn at the end of 2013, according to research, but experts maintain larger schemes are managing their risk exposures effectively.
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Features
NHS scheme moves to improve struggling employer comms
The NHS Pension Scheme will tailor its communication to different employer types to provide them with more support in fulfilling their obligations, after a survey revealed substantial criticism of its approach.
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Annuity brokering grows as managers seek value for savers
News analysis: Nearly half of schemes have or are planning to put in place annuity brokering services for their members, but experts warn this may not be enough to achieve value at retirement.
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Schemes told to offer annuity brokerage
News analysis: The shadow pensions minister has urged schemes to take a role in providing annuity brokering advice to ensure greater member purchasing power, but industry figures have raised concerns over how this could be implemented.
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Managers endorsing DC auto-escalation could face scheme tailoring challenge
News analysis: More than half of employers back auto-escalation schemes as a way to increase employee contributions, according to new research, but they may face challenges in tailoring contribution rates to members.
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Findel uses auto-enrolment to chisel down costs
Home retail and educational materials supplier Findel has overhauled its existing pension offering to generate savings that will help shoulder the costs of auto-enrolment.
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Features
How Carillion managed ‘year-long’ longevity swap project
Carillion improved its governance and data to ensure a good deal on its £1bn longevity swap, as it sought to hedge greater-than-anticipated life expectancy among members of its defined benefit schemes.
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Investors on the hunt for asset performance
2014 preview: Next year will provide defined benefit schemes more derisking opportunities, while defined contribution schemes may need to diversify further during their growth phase, investment experts have predicted.
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How the DB code of practice may affect your scheme
News analysis: Schemes should take a more integrated approach to investment, funding and covenant in their risk management, according to the Pensions Regulator’s consultation on its defined benefit code of practice.
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NewsSchemes take more holistic approach to risk management
News analysis: More schemes are taking an integrated approach to investment, covenant and funding in their risk management planning, but there is still a disconnect between schemes’ investment strategy and valuation process, according to research.
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Features
Pearl ups corporate bonds to manage rate risks
Pearl Group Staff Pension Scheme has increased its allocation to corporate bonds and reduced investment in growth assets to lower its exposure to fluctuations in the market.
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How to close your scheme’s comms gap
News analysis: Employers have been urged to better educate staff about their workplace pension plan, as new research has found more than a third of employees are still unaware of auto-enrolment.
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Scheme grabs chance to hedge inflation risk
Marsh & McLennan Companies UK Pension Fund has increased its interest and inflation rate hedge for its defined benefit scheme, to help protect its funding position against fluctuations in rates.
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NewsHow BBC scheme cut £750m off its funding deficit
The BBC Pension Scheme has chipped an estimated £750m off its funding shortfall by reducing its allocation to equities over the past 10 years and increasing employer contributions.
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Sponsors driving fid man switch to reduce risk
Employers have more influence on the decision to introduce fiduciary management than other investment decisions, experts have said, as a recent survey shows more schemes are looking to increase delegation.
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Chiltern funds target £2.5m merger saving
Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire councils are in preliminary talks about merging their pension funds in an attempt to save £2.5m a year, as more local authority schemes club together to reduce costs.
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NewsTwo in five schemes use multi-asset to fight volatility
Data analysis: The use of multi-asset products has increased as schemes look to mitigate market volatility with the product, which promises equity-like returns with downside protection, investment data show.
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How accounting changes hit your balance sheet
News analysis: New accounting principles have increased sponsors' focus on the expense of operating a defined benefit scheme and the risk it poses to future cash flows, as companies prepare interim reports under the new regime.
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NewsGilt investment reaches post-crisis peak at £22bn
Schemes have ramped up their investment in gilts and index-linked gilts over the past couple of years in an attempt to shore up their pension promises, data from the Office for National Statistics have shown.
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Wandsworth eyes collective investment lead
Wandsworth Council Pension Fund has set its sights on leading a London-wide collective investment vehicle to drive down costs, rather than a forced merger, pensions committee documents have revealed.