Archive

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]