All Towers Watson/WTW articles – Page 2
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NewsConsultants advise asset owners to protect against tail risk
Amid high inflation, market volatility and mounting fears of recession, investment consultants are advising asset owners to consider implementing some form of tail-risk protection, while urging them to first focus on building well-diversified investment portfolios that could protect against downside risks.
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NewsValue over cost emphasised in new DC illiquid investment guides
On the go: Defined contribution scheme trustees are being encouraged to shift their focus on illiquid investments from cost to value, in a series of guides published by the Productive Finance Working Group.
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NewsBMA warns of spike in early retirements over tax relief reforms
The British Medical Association has warned that the number of doctors choosing to reduce hours or retire early would increase were the government to proceed with reported plans to freeze the pensions lifetime allowance past 2026.
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NewsUK gender wealth equity lags Europe at retirement
On the go: The UK has one of the largest gender wealth gaps in Europe, sitting below the global average and only just above the Netherlands, which is in last place for the continent.
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NewsExperts warn DWP rules could lead more schemes to LDI
With pension funds still dealing with the current market turmoil, experts point out the government’s proposed rules for defined benefit funding could force schemes into an even lower-risk environment, increasing the need for liability-driven investments.
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NewsSchemes urged to revisit buyout plans in rising rate environment
Rising interest rates and the subsequent fall in liability valuations and deficits have now made buyouts more affordable for a larger number of pension funds, with consultants urging schemes to restructure their investment strategy to make it more palatable to an insurance company.
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NewsRising rates pose challenges for closed DB schemes’ LDI portfolios
While interest rate and inflation hedges have helped many defined benefit schemes stabilise their funding positions, the current macroeconomic environment is creating challenges for some closed plans, which might not have the necessary collateral in place to meet high payments.
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NewsABI: Solvency II reforms would ‘disincentivise’ infra investment
The government’s proposed reforms to the Solvency II regime would not help to facilitate insurers’ investment into UK infrastructure, the Association of British Insurers has claimed in a consultation response.
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NewsWhitbread Group scheme secures £680mn buy-in
On the go: The £3bn Whitbread Group Pension Fund has secured a £680mn buy-in with Standard Life.
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NewsResearch group releases open source investment performance code
On the go: The Thinking Ahead Institute has released new open-source data that pensions schemes can use to measure investment performance.
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NewsCleveland Potash schemes appoint pension services provider
On the go: The £285mn Cleveland Potash Pension Schemes has appointed Willis Towers Watson’s OneDB to provide combined actuarial, fiduciary management and administrative services.
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NewsRecord numbers of FTSE 350 DB schemes are in surplus
More than six in 10 FTSE 350 defined benefit scheme sponsors have reported a pensions accounting surplus as at the end of 2021, while the aggregate surplus has almost doubled in the past months.
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NewsTrustees warn single code will be significant resource drain
Uncertainty over the forthcoming changes in the Pensions Regulator’s new single code of practice is causing anxiety among trustees, as they expect it to have a huge impact on their time and resources.
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NewsAir Canada completes £380mn buy-in, Keysight signs £58mn deal
Risk watch: A roundup up of the latest derisking transactions, including the Air Canada (UK) Pension Trust Fund’s £380mn buy-in with Pension Insurance Corporation, and the Keysight Technologies UK Limited Retirement Benefits Plan’s £58mn deal with Just Group.
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How to win a PIPA and influence judges
The March 11 deadline for submissions into this year’s Pension and Investment Provider Awards is fast approaching.
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NewsGallaher Pension Scheme agrees £1.7bn buy-in, IMI derisks further
Risk watch: A roundup up of the latest derisking transactions, including the Gallaher Pension Scheme’s deal with Standard Life, and the IMI 2014 Deferred Fund buy-in with Pension Insurance Corporation.
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NewsIs legislation helping trustees on their journey to net zero?
When it comes to making their schemes greener, trustees have a lot to get their heads around. But current climate-related legislation is helping to focus minds and offer a framework for meeting net zero targets.
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NewsImperial Tobacco agrees £1.8bn deal, charity completes full buy-in
Risk watch: A roundup up of the latest derisking transactions, including the Imperial Tobacco Pension Fund’s £1.8bn deal with Standard Life, and the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen Retirement Benefit Scheme’s full buy-in with Legal & General.
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NewsHow will the new pension transfer restrictions work?
The new pension transfer rules coming into force on November 30 will bring added duties for pension scheme trustees, and will not be a panacea to prevent scams, specialists warn.