Articles by Kim Kaveh
Industry split on combining GMP rectification and equalisation
One in three say bringing projects together will be more efficient.
USS gives DC master trust members access to private markets investments
The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) is now enabling members of its Defined Contribution Investment Builder master trust to access private markets investments.
PLSA: Executive remuneration-related dissent at 'five year high' and 'major concern' for schemes
The number of remuneration-related resolutions that received significant levels of dissent during the 2019 AGM season was at a five-year high, according to the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA).
MSCI publishes Principles of Sustainable Investing
MSCI is calling for all investors globally to more readily integrate ESG considerations throughout their investment processes to contribute to “an effective balanced transition towards a sustainable economy”.
Border to Coast signs UN-backed Principles for Responsible Investment
Border to Coast Pensions Partnership has become a signatory of the United Nations supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI).
Ombudsman rejects complaints against British Steel trustees
The Pensions Ombudsman (TPO) has rejected a number of complaints from members of the embattled and collapsed British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS).
Five stories you may have missed this week
This week’s top stories include reports of HM Treasury’s plans to give higher tax relief to those earning over £110,000, and Sir Steve Webb’s move from Royal London to Lane Clark and Peacock.
Have investment managers improved their ESG approaches?
Investment managers are much more transparent on their stewardship approaches, but it remains important for there to be an ongoing dialogue with trustees. Kim Kaveh explores the findings.
Treasury looks to 'raise tapered threshold to £150,000'
HM Treasury intends to give tax relief worth hundreds of millions of pounds to those earning over £110,000, it is being reported.
USS future talk dates with UCU and UUK confirmed
Five dates in January have been set for meetings to look at reforming the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) with the Universities and College Union (UCU) and Universities UK (UUK).
PLSA welcomes 'legislative clarity' on pension schemes bill
The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) has welcomed the reintroduction of the pension schemes bill, after the government reaffirmed the details in the reopening of parliament this week.
TPR welcomes government's 'prompt' reintroduction of pension schemes bill
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has welcomed the government’s latest update on the details of the pension schemes bill.
How funding levels are trending upwards
GSAM has unveiled its annual study of pension schemes within the FTSE 350 index on funding level trends. Kim Kaveh explores its findings.
Altmann: An 'opportune time' to consider AE compulsion and one-nation tax incentives
The government should consider making auto-enrolment (AE) minimum contributions compulsory and removing tax-relief from this sum, Baroness Ros Altmann says.
Net Pay Action Group urges government to deliver pensions tax manifesto pledge
The Net Pay Action Group (NPAG) is urging the government to deliver on its manifesto pledge to review unfair tax rules in pensions.
Five stories you may have missed this week
This week’s top stories include the outcome of the Bauer judgment, and BT Pension Scheme Management acquiring a majority stake in Procentia.
Government reintroduces pension schemes bill in Queen's Speech
The government will reintroduce the pension schemes bill as part of an “ambitious programme of domestic reform”, the Queen’s Speech confirmed today.
TPR urges trustees to 'engage early and be transparent'
Trustees are being urged to engage early with The Pensions Regulator (TPR) during corporate transactions and to be transparent to protect savers.
Guy Opperman re-appointed as pensions minister
Guy Opperman has retained his post as pensions and financial inclusion minister, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed.
Nest to bolster climate change strategy to support carbon cuts
Government auto-enrolment provider Nest has mapped out how it will aim to help tackle climate-related risks, by testing ways to support cutting carbon emissions to 1.5 degrees.
Hymans Robertson publishes third annual master trust report; flags concerns over investment risk
Master trusts have enjoyed positive returns across the three investment journey phases but there are some “early signs of concern” emerging around risk profiles, a Hymans Robertson master trust report reveals.
HSBC launches master trust after TPR authorisation
The HSBC Master Trust has become the first new master trust to be authorised by The Pensions Regulator (TPR), after having applied after the regime kicked off.
BTPS Management acquires Procentia
BT Pension Scheme Management (BTPSM) has acquired a majority stake in software firm Procentia for an undisclosed amount.
USS joint panel dual discount rate proposal 'broadly aligns' with TPR views
The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) Joint Expert Panel’s (JEP) proposals for future valuations have received broad support as a way protecting the long-term interests of its members.
Five stories you may have missed this week
This week’s top stories include an article about women remaining at risk of running out of money in retirement, and one about Buck winning 36 additional client contracts since launching as an independent business last year.
General election 2019: Tory win bolsters pension schemes bill hopes
The Conservativess' pension policies are expected to be implemented in the coming months after yesterday’s general election confirmed a substantial win for the party.
What pensions restructuring challenges have arisen over the past year?
Taylor Wessing has published a report gauging industry views on challenges associated with pensions restructuring. Kim Kaveh explores the findings
Buck wins 36 UK business clients after independent launch
Since launching as an independent business in August last year, pensions and employee benefits consultancy Buck has won 36 additional client contracts.
AE 'failing construction workers' as just one in four in a workplace scheme
Just 23% of blue collar construction workers are saving into a workplace pension, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by Unite has revealed.
PIC invests £250m in City of London Corporation
Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC) has invested £250m in debt issued by the City of London Corporation for a series of development projects in the capital.
FTSE 350 DB spending drops £4bn in largest year-on-year fall in a decade
Aggregate spending on defined benefit (DB) pensions has dropped from £19bn to £15bn in 12 months, according to Hymans Robertson.
Exclusive: Evolve Pensions overhauls online offering with additional tools and access
Evolve Pensions has launched a new member website called Evolink for its Crystal master trust, which includes additional online functionality to its previous system.
Climate action from transport firms 'not fast enough', say pension funds
Pension funds have expressed concerns that the transport industry is lagging behind on helping to tackle climate change in line with international expectations.
Metropolitan Thames Valley to open DC arrangement and appoint master trust
Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) is planning to set up a defined contribution (DC) pension arrangement to provide future benefits for current employees and new joiners through auto-enrolment (AE).
PIC invests £195m in Glasgow city properties
Pensions Insurance Corporation (PIC) has invested £195m of debt finance in Glasgow City Council Group subsidiary, City Property Glasgow.
How much have Freedom and Choice solutions evolved?
The DCIF has published a report looking into how providers and members are responding to Freedom and Choice nearly five years on. Kim Kaveh explores the findings.
L&G launches annuity comparison service
Legal & General (L&G) has launched an online annuity searching tool, allowing consumers to compare rates across six leading providers.
Labour and Lib Dems unveil election manifestos
The Labour party and the Liberal Democrats have published their 2019 election manifestos, with little similarities in proposals for the future of pensions policy.
Grant Thornton launches DB risk management tool
Grant Thornton has launched an integrated risk management (IRM) software tool to support clients in better understanding defined benefit (DB) scheme funding options and their associated risks.
PP Rising Star Awards 2020: Last chance to nominate!
Today is your last chance to nominate for the Professional Pensions Rising Star Awards... Put forward your favourites by 5pm!
BT Pension Scheme awards $1bn private equity mandate to Hermes GPE
The BT Pension Scheme (BSPS) has awarded a $1bn (£777bn) private equity mandate to Hermes GPE, to invest globally.
TPR updates DB transfer guidance for trustees
Defined benefit (DB) trustees are now required to contact financial advice firms to ensure staff providing advice to a members are compliant under new adviser rules before carrying out a transfer exercise.
General election 2019: the pensions manifesto the industry wants to see
With political parties drawing up their manifestos for next month’s general election, Kim Kaveh explores the industry’s ambitions for future pensions policy.
Beyond authorisation: What lies ahead for master trusts?
Now authorisation has ended for existing schemes, Kim Kaveh reflects on the process and asks what the future holds for ongoing supervision.
Recruitment agency admits misleading TPR and avoiding AE duties
A recruitment agency and its managing director have pleaded guilty to misleading The Pensions Regulator (TPR) by falsely claiming staff had been put into a workplace pension.
Industry calls for simpler pensions tax system
The government should review pension tax rules and simplify the system, according to AJ Bell and the Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA).
UK CPI inflation falls to lowest level in two years at 1.5%
The UK’s consumer prices index (CPI) has fallen to its lowest level since November 2016, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Smart Pension enters strategic partnership with Australian administrator
Smart Pension and Australian administrator Link Group have entered a strategic global partnership to take their “combined expertise” into new markets in the UK and globally.