All Towers Watson/WTW articles – Page 9
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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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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?
SpenceJohnson’s Magnus Spence looks at how the advisory market is developing and explains why second-tier firms are gaining ground with defined contribution schemes.
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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.
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Features
DWP silence on GMPs blocks Smiths implementation
Two UK defined benefit schemes operated by technology company Smiths Group have said they will implement guaranteed minimum pension equalisation but need further clarification from the Department for Work and Pensions to do so.
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Opinion
How has fiduciary management changed in the past year?
Which areas of the market is fiduciary management moving towards, and how is it defined? Six experts discuss what has happened in the fiduciary arena in the past year.
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Features
Retirees avoid overspending yet more become insolvent
Analysis: New figures suggest defined contribution savers reaching retirement might be overspending and increasing their risk of poverty in later years, but experts warn this could be a false alarm.
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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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Opinion
The shape of things to come: Could robo-advice transform pensions?
Would you take pensions advice from a robot? Robo-advice may be the flavour of the month, but not everyone in the pensions industry is convinced the future is fintech.
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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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Opinion
Annuity v drawdown: Dispelling myths
From the blog: The lead-up to the launch of the pension reforms in April last year created pent-up demand in the market, resulting in many opting to take advantage of the new freedoms and draw down a lump sum.