Archive

The buyout and risk reduction marketplace has grown significantly over the past two years. Yet, the dramatic deterioration in the world economy from September 2008 has made traditional buyouts less affordable - as pension scheme asset values have fallen and company finances have deteriorated. Despite this, the need for companies and trustees to reduce risk in their scheme has increased markedly. ... [read more]

Plans frozen to future accrual need to be prepared so they can move quickly to seize one-off opportunities on their journey to the endgame. How can they position themselves to do this? With the number of DB plans which have frozen to future accrual expected to double to 40% in 12 months' time, our debate will explore: - Freezing and the opportunites that offers for Trustees and Company - Se... [read more]

In a sponsored debate hosted by Global Pensions, industry experts discuss the evolution of the transition management industry through the global financial crisis. Discussion topics include the key issues affecting equity and fixed income transitions, the changing roles of transition managers, and the industry’s struggle to develop a common set of performance measurements.

The latest Professional Pensions Conjecture debate – to be held on September 29 at 11 –will look at the key issues surrounding delegated consulting. The debate will be chaired by Hewitt Associates head of UK investment practice Andrew Tunningley – and include Hewitt Associates head of delegated consulting services Zuhair Mohammed, Sackers & Partners partner Andrew Bradshaw, AllenbridgeEP... [read more]

The latest Professional Pensions Conjecture debate – to be held on September 21 –looks at the key issues surrounding pension scheme longevity swap deals. The debate will be chaired Professional Pensions editor-in-chief Alex Beveridge and include Lucida chief actuary Andrew Stoker, Lucida corporate development director John Smitherman-Cairns, Watson Wyatt head of settlement services Michael ... [read more]

The buyout and risk reduction marketplace has grown significantly over the last 12 months – with buyout business topping £10bn in 2008 and expected to reach similar levels this year. Yet, the dramatic deterioration in the world economy from September last year has made traditional buyouts less affordable – as pension scheme asset values have fallen and company finances have deteriorated. ... [read more]

Employers and pension scheme trustees have become very aware of the financial significance of continued improvements in life expectancy. Until recently, the only way to eliminate longevity risk has been to purchase bulk annuities with an insurance company which, for many schemes, comes with too high a price tag. However, 2009 looks set to be the year of longevity only solutions, which enables pens... [read more]

While many companies focus on providing the best pension scheme possible for their employees not much time is spent on what happens to the member once they retire. Converting a pension into retirement income can be a complicated process and the retiree needs to make the most of their pension pot. What kind of support should employees offer to scheme members in the run up to retirement? Are the cho... [read more]

This debate will look at how schemes can improve service levels for DC scheme members; the key steps schemes and administrators need to take in order to improve member communication and how this communication needs to change in the light of significant falls in equity markets; and the pros and cons of third-party administration for trust-based DC schemes. It will also look at how straight-throu... [read more]

With an increasing number of DC schemes being offered on a contract rather than trust basis, The Pensions Regulator has published guidance to encourage voluntary engagement by employers. TPR believes it is in members’ best interests if employers offering contract-based schemes engage proactively in scheme governance. The NAPF and other trade bodies have welcomed the guidance. What/who does this ... [read more]

This PP Conjecture debate will look at the key areas that need to be addressed in order to increase member satisfaction; what are the problems specific to the administration of defined contribution schemes; and whether schemes should implement performance bonuses for third-party administrators that improve their service above a certain threshold. It will also look at how administrators can... [read more]

Much commentary has been on whether or not the savings message is getting across to DC scheme members, particularly about where they should invest their pension and if they should take a more hands-on approach to Workplace education is seen as the way forward in getting the message across. Which methods of education are most effective? A lot has also been said on workplace education given that mos... [read more]

Around 90pc of all DC members opt for the default fund even though most experts believe employees should take an active role in their investments. Conjecture will look at whether lifestyle strategies are suitable investments as well as examining alternative investment strategies, asset allocation and diversification.

Whilst scheme risks such as investment, inflation and longevity risk are familiar, understanding and managing covenant risk is a new area for many trustee boards and their advisors. Much attention has focused on the surplus or deficit of a pension scheme, however, the recent increase in equity and credit market volatility has brought sharp focus to the fragility of many scheme employers and focus... [read more]

2008 is set to become a record year for scheme buyouts. Conjecture will look at the costs and benefits of a pension fund buyout; how trustees should select providers; whether alternatives such as self-managing risk, hedging risks such as interest rates and using a non-insurance routes to buyout would be a better option; how to communicate any buyout to members; and how to prepare for a buyout.

Trustee liability – Is The Pensions Regulator’s requirement for trustees to have greater knowledge and understanding a double-edged sword? DB scheme members in future may be less forgiving when investments do not perform as expected/hoped. DC members may complain that they were locked into underperforming funds and were let down by trustees over investment choices. Do trustees understand full... [read more]

In the past problems over liquidity, small capitalisation, political and other risks have deterred schemes from making large allocations to emerging market stocks. But times are changing. Allocations to UK equities are falling and research shows that many schemes believe it is an asset class which will be most suited to their needs over the next few years. Conjecture is linking with Nomura Asse... [read more]