All Towers Watson/WTW articles – Page 8
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News
More people accessing freedoms, but industry image concerns remain
The number of people taking advantage of pension freedoms increased in the second quarter of this year, but while this signals an increased awareness of freedom and choice, experts say there is still a need to improve trust in the industry.
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FeaturesPearson moves away from hedge funds into DGFs
The pension plan of publishing giant Pearson Group has scrapped its hedge fund exposure and invested in diversified growth funds, in a bid to control investment risk and costs as the scheme nears self-sufficiency.
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NewsUS withdrawal from Paris accord no threat to ESG investing
US president Donald Trump’s decision to pull out of the Paris climate accord will not affect the UK’s growing implementation of environmental, social and governance criteria on investment strategies, experts have said.
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FeaturesSmart beta: What drives schemes’ appetite for the strategy?
Smart beta is often seen as a more transparent, simple and low cost alternative to active management. Five experts discuss what is driving the appetite for smart beta among schemes and how the sector is evolving.
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Features
Is there a risk of crowding in smart beta?
Is there a risk of factor‑based portfolios becoming crowded, with increasing popularity potentially leading to overpricing and lower future returns? Eric Shirbini from ERI Scentific Beta, Julien Barral from bfinance, Alan Pickering from Bestrustees, James Price from Willis Towers Watson and Paul Black from Capital Cranfield debate whether crowding really is an issue within smart beta.
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Opinion
What drives the appetite for smart beta among UK pension schemes?
What is drawing pension schemes to smart beta? 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 transparency and trustee training.
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OpinionComplexity is rife - and no one is benefiting
From the blog: Asset owners are struggling to balance the growing complexity with the governance needed to oversee their assets effectively.
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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.
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Opinion
Mastertrusts have the next milestone in sight
Mastertrusts are on their way to becoming a dominant force in the UK pensions system, having woven themselves into the fabric of workplace defined contribution provision.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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OpinionIndustry on right track with diversity initiatives, but further change is needed
Any other business: The need for greater diversity across the pensions and asset management industry is evident, so what progress has been made so far to improve the situation?
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News
Push for simpler DC bulk transfers receives industry approval
Experts have welcomed a consultation on transferring members between defined contribution schemes without their consent, launched to simplify the process and help achieve scale in the DC sector.
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OpinionData crunch: Who advises the DC scheme community?
The answers to this question show that there are still some differences between the trust and contract-based markets.
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News
HMRC consults on GMP equalisation despite Brexit
The government has this week launched a consultation on the methodology for equalisation of guaranteed minimum pensions, indicating commitment to the issue, which goes back to EU law, despite the Brexit vote.
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NewsChancellor proposes ban on cold calling, refrains from pensions tax overhaul
In his first and last Autumn Statement, Chancellor Philip Hammond swapped the timing of the Budget and the Statement but had comparatively little to say about pensions for now; one of the larger measures – a consultation into pensions fraud – was welcomed by the industry.
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Opinion
Where will fiduciary management go next?
As fiduciary management becomes mainstream and schemes become more comfortable with its uses and limitations, manager offerings will inevitably change. But how can we expect them to evolve? Six experts discuss.
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Opinion
How easily could fiduciary management be set up for defined contribution?
Now that fiduciary management is a well-established part of the defined benefit pensions market. Could it be expanded into defined contribution? Or are the demands of daily dealing too much? Six experts discuss.