All Zedra articles – Page 5
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News
Recent pension deficit reductions are unlikely to be sustainable
A survey of FTSE 100 companies’ pension schemes showed that during 2015 the overall pension deficit was reduced by £15bn, mostly by lower salary assumptions and higher discount rates, but experts say the trends responsible for the reduction have now reversed.
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News
Deluge of information stifles retirement choices
An excess of information on the pension freedoms risks poor outcomes for “procrastinating” defined contribution savers, experts have warned, meaning the industry must improve member communication and engagement.
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Features
GMP top priority this year but trustees could be missing the bigger picture
Respondents to consultancy Capita’s ‘Pension scheme insight report’ cited guaranteed minimum pension reconciliation, member communications and derisking as their main concerns for 2016, but experts say there are more acute challenges that schemes fail to address.
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NewsLloyds Banking Group drives efficiency with single trustee board
Lloyds Banking Group has merged the trustee boards of three of its defined benefit pension funds to boost efficiency, decrease duplication and strengthen its relationship with the schemes.
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Features
Hubbub probes ESG ahead of provider appointment
A small charity is prioritising environmental, social and governance factors in the selection of its workplace pension provider, making use of recent analysis which ranks the UK’s nine largest providers according to their responsible investment practices.
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News
Death tax 'wrinkle' means potential trouble for dependants
The government should consider allowing the pension pots of those who die before reaching age 75 to be transferred out, experts have said, although some questioned the likelihood of such a move.
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News
Named and shamed: Should trustees publicly criticise service providers?
Any Other Business: This week, Financial Times columnist Lucy Kellaway created a buzz by publicly rebuking the head of marketing and communications at technology company Hewlett Packard Enterprise over an email he sent her criticising an article she had written.
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NewsCost and complexity increase support for multi-employer schemes
The cost and complexity of running a pension scheme is increasing the appeal of multi-employer schemes, experts have said, as a survey shows industry support for government-backed scheme consolidation.
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FeaturesPanning for gold in an age of information
Any Other Business: The mounting complexity of pension trusteeship has been met by a surge of information and intelligence sources. But how can trustees be successful prospectors as they mine the industry for useful nuggets?
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News
NI government offers early retirement to teachers aged 55+
The Department of Education in Northern Ireland has approved a £33.1m scheme offering premature retirement terms to members over 55 years old to make space for new hires in the workforce.
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Opinion
Tax, cyber crime and covenant guidance: what to look out for in 2016
The pensions industry has had to deal with changes across many fronts in the recent past. 2015 was no exception, bringing proposals for Local Government Pension Scheme pooling, the introduction of freedom and choice and the beginning of re-enrolment.
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News
Fid man assets surpass £100bn but cynicism persists
Pension assets under fiduciary management hit £114bn during 2015, but independent trustees remain sceptical of the alignment of interests underpinning such arrangements.
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News
How to engage your scheme with the press (or not)
Any Other Business: The pensions industry is very well served by the trade press and even national papers. But for schemes, talking to the press can be a daunting prospect, so when is best to do it and how can mistakes be avoided in the process?
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News
Existing ties still a powerful influence in fid man appointments
Competition for fiduciary management has been bolstered by a rise in open tenders but existing relationships continue to be a dominant driver behind schemes’ choices and questions remain over the value of the approach.
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News
How much should you channel members’ ethical views?
Any Other Business:It is natural in a democratic society to expect your voice to be heard. In pension schemes this is channelled through the member-nominated trustee, but when it comes to seeking your members’ views, how much is too much?
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News
Defying criticism: The other burden of being a lay trustee
Any Other Business: Lawyers, actuaries, professional trustees. The world of pensions is so full of highly specialised roles it can seem bizarre so much of the decision-making comes down to elected trustees who may have no experience with pensions.
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FeaturesDealing with firebrands on scheme boards
Any Other Business: Jeremy Corbyn romped to victory in the Labour leadership campaign over the weekend, prompting widespread resignations from senior party members unwilling to work under the left-wing veteran backbencher.
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OpinionHow to build flexibility into your DC scheme
Pension freedom can be a daunting proposition for trust-based DC schemes, but PTL’s Alison Bostock says they can find ways to introduce more choice for members.
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FeaturesManaging relationships with your auditor
Any other business: Having your scheme audited might feel like getting teeth pulled but like the dentists of this world, auditors are a necessary evil.
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NewsIs your scheme spending enough time on administration?
Any Other Business: Trustees of pension schemes are required to oversee all aspects of scheme administration while navigating the complexities of investment, policy change and benefit design.