All articles by Sophia Imeson – Page 18
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Features
Employers congregate to solve Baptist scheme deficit
The Baptist Union of Great Britain has established an employer group to develop a strategy for plugging the scheme’s increased deficit.
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Opinion
Active management of passive funds – a viable strategy for DC?
Since the introduction of freedom and choice, value for money has been high on the agenda for defined contribution schemes. As trustees try to keep on top of costs, could an active asset allocation approach work for schemes with underlying passive funds?
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Features
PPF deficit figures presage hard times for funding and dividends
Analysis: Following the Pension Protection Fund’s news of yet another record deficit in defined benefit pensions, many schemes can expect to gear up for challenging funding negotiations, amid growing fears for company dividends.
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NewsBritish Steel pensions rule change proposals shelved
The government has reportedly put aside plans to change pensions legislation that would allow Tata Steel UK’s pension scheme to stay out of the Pension Protection Fund, according to insiders briefed on the issue.
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Opinion
All aboard the pensions bus
From the blog: This week a double decker bus is cruising down the country with one objective: to drive engagement with retirement saving. As Pension Awareness Day arrives, there is even more focus on making long-term saving more interesting.
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News
Pensions dashboard prototype to launch by next spring
The Treasury has said it will be working with 11 pension providers to release a prototype of the pensions dashboard by March 2017.
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FeaturesCAF exits multi-employer scheme to set up own fund
The Charities Aid Foundation has withdrawn from a multi-employer defined benefit pension plan and established a new DB scheme, removing its exposure to other employers’ pension liabilities.
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News
Schemes urged to revisit risk as deficits soar
Defined benefit pension deficits have escalated since last month, but despite the challenging environment and gloomy outlook, some experts say schemes should stay calm and consider re-evaluating their risk portfolios.
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Features
Phoenix Group opts for second helping of Pie
Phoenix Group’s PGL Pension Scheme has completed a pension increase exchange exercise, but despite only wiping £3m off liabilities, the company says the exercise met pre-implementation expectations.
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Features
Desire for better data sparks mortality study for Star Group
Star Group has decided to conduct a medically underwritten mortality study for its defined benefit scheme, as it works on tackling an increased deficit while reducing investment risk.
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FeaturesVodafone scheme diversifies with alternatives additions
Vodafone has made a foray into a number of new asset classes, including alternative beta, alternative credit and private market investments, for greater diversification.
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Features
Salvation Army derisks as charities struggle with pension deficits
The Salvation Army has recently reduced risk in its UK defined benefit multi-employer scheme, having made efforts to tackle its pension deficit, but pension obligations are proving increasingly problematic for many charities.
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FeaturesHP scheme reboots parent company guarantee
The Hewlett-Packard Limited Retirement Benefits Plan has replaced its parent company guarantee following a major corporate reorganisation, resulting in improved terms for members.
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FeaturesBushfire of pension discrimination cases spreads to firefighters
The Fire Brigades Union has raised a legal challenge against fire service employers and the government regarding alleged discrimination as a result of transitional protection arrangements.
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News
Pension schemes steer clear from selling gilts as rate pain intensifies
Pension funds struggling with low yields have held back from selling long-dated government bonds, causing the Bank of England to miss its gilt buying target on Tuesday.
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Features
Norcros moves to mastertrust in bid to improve governance
Bathroom and kitchen products company Norcros is transferring its money purchase section to a mastertrust arrangement to provide "more focused governance" and greater flexibility.
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NewsRailways scheme on track with cost management
The Railways Pension Scheme has saved £100m in fees, having restructured its external management and pooled fund arrangements, but despite being cost-conscious, the fund remains focused on net returns.
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FeaturesRSA scheme targets buy-and-maintain strategy to derisk
The RSA Insurance Group’s Sal Pension Fund is focusing on buy-and-maintain credit as part of an investment strategy overhaul as the scheme looks to further derisk its portfolio following the results of its latest actuarial valuation.
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Opinion
Ernst & Young overhauls DC scheme to fit the new freedoms
The Specialist: Professional services firm Ernst & Young has adapted the lifestyle and freestyle strategies of its defined contribution plan to suit the pension freedoms and increase risk in the lifestyle strategy, a move designed to provide for growth.
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Features
Can risk parity work for pension funds?
Analysis: Risk parity funds promise diversification and consistent performance through risk allocation, but in the current climate of interest rate uncertainty how suitable is this strategy for pension schemes?