Stephanie Baxter
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PLSA's Butcher: We all have a responsibility to fix the trust deficit in pensions
The industry is at a "brink point" where there is an opportunity to gain savers' trust in the financial system or risk losing them, according to Richard Butcher.
Interest rate LDI increases 9% but inflation hedging drops
The amount of hedging against interest rate risk rose to £31.7bn in the fourth quarter of last year, according to BMO Global Asset Management.
Women in Pensions Awards: Nominees revealed
Here it is… The full list of the individuals and organisations that have been nominated for the Women in Pensions Awards 2019.
USS: An alternative approach to funding pensions?
Roger Gray says schemes must consider the benefits of investing in alternative assets.
Trustee faces charges over defrauding charity pension fund
The former head of a charity for the disabled is to be prosecuted for allegedly transferring more than £250,000 from the organisation's pension scheme.
Innovation in LGPS funding
Stephanie Baxter says some local councils' attempts to find new ways to make savings are welcome but must have strong safeguards
Women in Pensions Awards 2019: Last chance to nominate!
Today is your last chance to nominate for the second PP Women in Pensions Awards, which celebrate the achievements of women working in pensions or acting as a trustee. Find out how to nominate here…
Don't exclude MNTs from DB superfunds
David Weeks says there is a mismatch in superfunds that claim to be member friendly but then exclude member representation from their governance
Croydon sets up asset-backed funding to reduce pension contributions
An innovative funding structure has been agreed for Croydon Pension Fund. However, there are some concerns about the arrangement. Stephanie Baxter reports
Savers are ultimately responsible for their own decisions, says industry
Most people think it is right that savers take responsibility to protect from pension scams.
Good communications are more important than ever
Malcolm Mclean says getting the channels of communication right and engaging more openly is a good starting point
Why should a rising star join pensions?
Girish Menezes says we must not forget our young pension professionals and rising stars are critical stakeholders within the equation
Mike Weston to join LGPS Central as CEO
The former head of the Pensions Infrastructure Platform (PIP) has joined the £45bn local authority pool for nine Midlands-based pension funds.
DWP to set out CDC proposals in 'coming weeks'
The government will proceed with legislation to implement collective defined contribution (CDC) schemes and aims to formally respond to the consultation in a matter of weeks, Guy Opperman has confirmed.
Guy Opperman: We have much more work to do on AE
As the number of workers in AE reaches 10 million, the pensions minister says it's time to take stock of this successful policy
Five action points for pension trustees as Brexit looms
Jonathon Land says 'wait and see' is no longer an option and trustees should be proactive to ensure they are on a robust footing ahead of 29 March
It's time to get serious about sustainability
Wolfgang Kuhn says pension funds must considered the real-world impacts of their investments
DB superfund regime should be robust but not onerous
As the DWP's consultation on consolidation comes to a close, Stephanie Baxter takes a look at the industry's responses
DB superfunds - a regulatory learning curve?
Kim Gubler says neither DWP nor TPR want a repeat of what happened with master trusts
The problem with DB superfunds
As the consultation on defined benefit (DB) consolidation closes this week, PIC's Jay Shah sets out his concerns about the superfund model
Con Keating: A library of scrutiny
The last month has seen a flurry of reports, studies, consultations and discussion papers published. Con Keating takes a look
Fuller's to boost DB funding from proceeds of beer business sale
Pub and hotel giant Fuller's will make an additional contribution to its defined benefit (DB) pension scheme following the proposed sale of its entire beer business.
Richard Butcher: Are we on the brink of a new opportunity?
The PLSA's Richard Butcher says we should all work harder to reconnect with the saver, be open with them and tell them the truth
The pension industry's hopes and concerns for CDC
As the DWP's consultation on collective DC closes, Stephanie Baxter finds most responses are broadly supportive but some are critical, pointing out there is a long way to go to get it right
Bulk annuity and consolidator adviser K3 launches in pioneering move
The first specialist independent firm advising pension schemes on bulk annuities or moving to a consolidator has been set up with ambitions to shake up the market.
CDC must have a strong member voice
Tim Sharp warns the DWP's plans for collective DC risk establishing an inhospitable environment for the lay trustee
A controversial consultation on pensions dashboards
Henry Tapper says proposals to tender the data architecture, putting one organisation or consortium as sole pension finder - are proving contentious
Is your scheme really buyout ready?
Jane Kola looks at what pension funds can they do to improve their chances of concluding a successful deal on good terms
How schemes can protect against equity losses
Derivative-based overlay strategies have become more popular in the past year. Stephanie Baxter explores whether they will be widely adopted by pension funds
A gift from the FCA, with love
Richard Butcher says not all presents are welcome or easy to enjoy, and the same goes with transaction cost disclosure
Why we should be pensions positive in 2019
Despite the gloom around Brexit and all the challenges facing pensions, there are plenty of reasons to be cheerful. Top industry commentators tell Stephanie Baxter why there is cause for optimism
Adrian Boulding: My pension predictions for 2019
NOW Pensions' director of policy says this will be the year when the net-pay anomaly becomes too awkward to ignore, and predicts LISA will have its own lifetime curtailed
Josephine Cumbo: Don't be afraid to express your voice
The FT's Josephine Cumbo was named Social Media Influencer of the Year at the Women in Pensions Awards. She speaks to Stephanie Baxter about the power of Twitter.
Victoria Bell: Supporting women and recognising their potential
RPMI's director of trustee accounting Victoria Bell was named pensions manager of the year at the inaugural Women in Pensions Awards. She speaks to Stephanie Baxter about her achievements
Margaret Snowdon: Stick to your principles and have courage
The Pensions Administration Standards Association's Margaret Snowdon won the coveted Pensions Woman of the Year award. She tells Stephanie Baxter about lessons she has learned along the way.
'Healthy' life expectancy falls for women but improves for men
Females can expect to live a greater number of years in poor health than males, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for 2015 to 2017.
Tower Hamlets pension fund buys equity protection
The London Borough of Tower Hamlets Pension Fund has purchased protection for around £700m of equities in the run-up to its March 2019 triennial valuation.
Reliable data central to confidence in dashboard
Ros Altmann says there is no need for any legislation to get the dashboard project moving, and the first step could be to sort out data accuracy and reliability issues
Lothian Pension Fund gets new chief as Scott steps down
Scotland's second largest local pension fund has appointed Doug Heron as its new chief executive to replace outgoing Clare Scott.
Avgi Gregory: Everyone needs a champion and a mentor
Muse Advisory's CEO and co-founder was named joint Role Model of the Year at the inaugural Women in Pensions Awards. She speaks to Stephanie Baxter about her success
Companies told to cut higher pension contributions for bosses
Employers that dish out higher pension contributions to directors than junior staff will face shareholder revolt if they fail to axe such practices.
Why we need to pay more for pensions administration
Peter Askins says the industry needs to recognise that if administration standards are to be maintained and improved, this will come at a cost
We need a change in the tone of regulation
Robin Ellison says it is not unreasonable for schemes and their trustees and sponsors also to expect an improvement in the tone of regulation
Do we have a problem with auto-enrolment?
David Harris warns that other AE models around the globe are static, if not declining
How NEST is becoming a more sophisticated investor
The master trust is leading the way on DC investment, getting into illiquid assets and challenging asset managers to do more. CIO Mark Fawcett tells Stephanie Baxter about its evolution
Transparency campaigner Chris Sier launches pension cost collection facility
A platform to help pension funds collect and analyse cost data, such as transaction costs, has been launched by Chris Sier, who has played an integral role in the fight for transparency.
Lesley Titcomb: Industry cannot rely on TPR to act as sole policeman
The sector has to look after its own reputation and should not rely solely on the watchdog, The Pensions Regulator's (TPR) chief executive says.
Pensions minister: AE is working, people are saving long term
Guy Opperman says as contribution rates increase, millions more people will be able to look ahead to retirement with confidence