Associated British Foods reports 3% AE opt-out

Ian Smith | 20 May 2013

Associated British Foods has seen a less than 3 per cent opt-out rate and significant engagement from 1,500 employees auto-enrolled in February, after an extensive awareness campaign and popular default investment strategy.

Experts divided on takeover code change implications

Meike Wijers | 20 May 2013

News analysis: Legal experts are split on whether changes to the takeover code coming into effect today have any impact on the power of pension schemes whose sponsors are the target of a merger or acquisition.

DWP: Avoid contract v trust governance debate

Sade Laja | 20 May 2013

The government has said a “black and white” debate about differences in governance standards at contract and trust-based schemes is an unwelcome distraction from ensuring high standards across all arrangements.  

FT

DC daily pricing blocking illiquid investments

Maxine Kelly | 17 May 2013

Liquidity requirements for defined contribution schemes are hampering their investment returns and ability to compete with defined benefit plans on the replacement income provided in retirement, an institutional investor group has warned.

NAPF: Young opt-ins biggest auto-enrolment surprise

Sade Laja | 16 May 2013

Employees too young to be auto-enrolled have been a notable group opting in to workplace saving, the NAPF has reported, calling it one of the most interesting aspects of auto-enrolment so far.

Consultancy charging ban set to hit SMEs

Sade Laja | 15 May 2013

News analysis: The government’s decision to ban consultancy charges in all auto-enrolment schemes has been broadly welcomed, but the change is predicted to have a big impact on smaller employers.

PRI unveils revamped reporting framework

Maxine Kelly | 14 May 2013

The Principles for Responsible Investment has fleshed out the details of the mandatory elements of its revised reporting framework, as it attempts to “demystify” the process ahead of its rollout later this year.

West Yorks to roadshow LGPS reforms to 100,000 members

Sade Laja | 13 May 2013

The £8.8bn West Yorkshire Pension Fund has kicked off plans for a series of roadshows later this year to communicate to its almost 100,000 active members changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Joanne Segars, NAPF

NAPF: funding statement link to growth objective 'uncertain'

Sade Laja | 10 May 2013

Video: The NAPF's Joanne Segars welcomes the support for schemes in the Pensions Regulator's 2013 funding statement, but questions its interaction with the watchdog's growth objective, in the latest edition of Policymakers and Decision-makers (5:04).

How the 2013 funding statement affects your scheme

Sade Laja | 09 May 2013

News analysis: The Pensions Regulator’s 2013 annual funding statement has set out the flexibilities open to schemes in the tough economic climate, but pension professionals have said those carrying out valuations this year could find the process challenging.

Schemes hold off infrastructure investment while Pip develops

Maxine Kelly | 08 May 2013

Continued deliberation over the Pensions Infrastructure Platform is slowing overall investment in the asset class as schemes await detail on how the initiative will be set up, investment experts have reported.

istock

Havering to fund 'stalled' local property projects

Pippa Stephens | 07 May 2013

The London Borough of Havering Pension Fund is planning to invest in delayed local property projects including residential housing, as more council funds increase their exposure to property to match liabilities and boost community investment.

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