All social articles – Page 3
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PodcastsPodcast: DC focus must ‘fundamentally shift’ from costs to value in 2022
Podcast: The focus on defined contribution scheme offerings must “fundamentally shift” from costs to value for money in 2022 if better outcomes are to be achieved. Darren Philp, director of policy and communication at Smart Pension, and Mike Ambery, partner at Hymans Robertson, discuss the DC outlook, expanding auto-enrolment, and reforming Solvency II.
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NewsSociété Générale transfers scheme to Aegon Master Trust
On the go: Société Générale has announced the bulk transfer of its trust-based scheme into the Aegon Master Trust, a move it says will “enhance the savings journey” of 4,500 members.
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NewsLGPS seeks UN clarity on Israel investment comments
On the go: The Local Government Pension Committee and the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum are to arrange a call with UN special rapporteur Michael Lynk, seeking clarity over his comments on investments in contested Israeli settlements.
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NewsIndustry suggests improvements to climate reporting requirements
Industry experts have broadly welcomed proposals from the Department for Work and Pensions to introduce a suite of new climate and investment reporting requirements, but cautioned that there are still improvements to be made.
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NewsNest and UBS divest from ‘unresponsive’ energy companies
On the go: Asset manager UBS has jettisoned “unresponsive” energy companies from its suite of climate-aware funds, including one it manages on behalf of Nest.
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NewsPodcast: Fiduciary trumps politics if divesting from ‘illegal Israeli settlements’
Podcast: Local Government Pension Schemes looking to divest from Israel should do so on grounds of sustainability and fiduciary responsibility, not because of politics and personal morality, says Richard Butcher, managing director of PTL. He is joined by Ian Neale, Aries Insight co-founder, to discuss divestment, defined benefit funding and ageing populations.
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NewsDB funding code’s bespoke route could reduce schemes’ costs
Forty per cent of FTSE 350 defined benefit schemes will not be sufficiently well funded to opt for the ‘fast-track’ route in the Pensions Regulator’s forthcoming DB funding code, but the bespoke route offers significant cost savings.
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NewsRegulators’ value for money paper branded ‘utopian’ by SPP
On the go: The Society of Pension Professionals has criticised the “utopian” value for money discussion paper published by the Pensions Regulator and the Financial Conduct Authority, arguing that there is “no practical way” of achieving the goals set out.
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NewsLGPS urged to divest from ‘Israeli settlement economy’
Canadian Professor Michael Lynk, who works with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, has requested that the Local Government Pension Scheme funds divest from any holding that may be linked to contested Israeli settlements.
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NewsBrendan McCafferty appointed as Nest chair
On the go: Pensions minister Guy Opperman has announced that Brendan McCafferty has been appointed as chair of the National Employment Savings Trust for a five-year term.
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NewsCOP26 sees 12% uptick in net zero commitments
More than half (52 per cent) of insurers and 50 per cent of pension funds have committed to making their portfolios net zero by 2050, up 12 per cent from last year, according to a new report from Aviva Investors.
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NewsWomen face £185,000 gender pensions gap
On the go: Women will need to save an average of £185,000 more during their working life to enjoy the same retirement income as men, according to new research by Scottish Widows.
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NewsUSS directors sued over climate inaction and breaches of duty
Two university lecturers, backed by a number of branches of the University and College Union, have filed a wide-ranging legal action against the directors of the Universities Superannuation Scheme, accusing them of multiple failings with respect to the controversial 2020 valuation, and of inaction around climate change commitments.
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NewsESG factors more important to investors than financial metrics
ESG spotlight: A roundup of the latest news on environmental, social and governance initiatives, including a survey showing institutional investors believe ESG is more important than financial metrics when it comes to evaluating a company’s long-term attractiveness, and more signatories to the Make My Money Matter charter.
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NewsBig funds invest £128bn in fossil fuels, LCP urges net-zero action
ESG spotlight: A roundup of the latest news on environmental, social and governance initiatives, including research by Friends of the Earth that found the UK’s largest pension funds have no “credible plan” to divest the £128bn currently held in fossil fuels, and a call from LCP for defined contribution schemes to take meaningful action on net-zero ambitions.
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NewsGreen finance roadmap still missing key details
The government has published its “roadmap to sustainable investing”, laying out a number of new reporting requirements. However, some experts have warned that the plan does not go far enough to make a real difference.
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NewsOpperman lauds ‘transformational’ climate requirements
Pensions minister Guy Opperman has lauded the government’s “utterly transformational” approach to climate reporting requirements, while promising legislation on “simpler statements” and the “statements season” in the near future.
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NewsPPF 7800 surplus jumps £25bn in September
On the go: The latest update of the PPF 7800 Index shows the aggregate surplus of the 5,318 defined benefit schemes measured jumped by more than £25bn to £108.8bn at the end of September, up from £83.2bn at the end of August.
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News‘Greenium’ concerns remain around second green gilts issuance
On the go: The second issuance of the government’s green gilts is expected on October 18. While the first issuance was significantly oversubscribed, concerns about the “greenium” have deterred some pension schemes from investing.
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NewsPodcast: Mandating net zero could ‘cut straight through’ fiduciary duties
Podcast: The government mandating default funds be aligned with ‘net zero’ would be a way around concerns about fiduciary responsibility, but there are questions about what this would mean in practice. Stuart O’Brien, partner at Sackers, and Gareth Stears, pensions technical consultant at Aries Insight, discuss environmental, social and governance issues, social housing, and the Pensions Regulator’s controversial criminal powers.