Risk Reduction
Webinar: Derisking in a post-Brexit, low-yield world
Professional Pensions is hosting a video webinar on the post-referendum outlook for pension schemes on Wednesday, 23 November, 2016 at 11am.
One-third of over 40s would consider DB to DC transfers to access pension freedoms
Nearly one-in-three retirement savers would consider transferring final salary pension benefits to defined contribution schemes, latest research shows.
How DB schemes affect FTSE100 market valuations
Jonathan Stapleton looks at research from Llewellyn Consulting, which analyses the impact of DB liabilities on the share price of FTSE100 firms.
PLSA: Four big myths about buy-ins
Misconceptions about bulk annuities may be hindering schemes from being able to get good deals, according to speakers at the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) conference.
DB schemes in £358bn surplus under 'more realistic' discount rate
The UK's 5,945 defined benefit (DB) schemes have an overall funding ratio of 133% under realistic investment return assumptions, according to First Actuarial.
Cardano buys Lincoln Pensions
Cardano Group has acquired covenant specialist Lincoln Pensions in a deal that will enable the firms to provide integrated risk services to pension schemes and sponsors.
ICI completes two buy-ins worth nearly £1bn
The ICI Pension Fund has revealed it completed another two buy-ins worth almost £1bn in September with two major insurers.
Aon Hewitt merges liability and settlement teams
Aon Hewitt has combined its liability management and risk settlement teams in response to increased pension scheme demand to accelerate their journey to buyout.
Phoenix acquires Abbey Life for £935m
Closed book consolidator Phoenix is to acquire Abbey Life from Deutsche Bank for £935m.
AG Barr completes £35m buy-in with Canada Life
The trustee of soft drinks manufacturer AG Barr's defined benefit scheme has insured 50% of its total pensioner liabilities through Canada Life.
How can we close the DB funding gap?
As the issue of DB deficits continues to cause headaches, Charlotte Moore looks at how they can be dealt with.
Will future demand for bulk annuities squeeze supply?
With demand for bulk annuities predicted to reach £350bn by 2026, supply may not be able to keep up, which could push up pricing. Kristian Brunt-Seymour looks at whether it is an issue and what it means for schemes.
Schemes should build vaping and obesity into longevity risk models
Defined benefit scheme (DB) trustees and sponsors need to think more about how factors such as vaping and obesity will affect longevity risk, according to Mercer.
L&G adds to bulk annuity and longevity insurance team
Legal & General's (L&G) pension risk transfer business has hired Frankie Borrell from Partnership.
PPF proposes changes to s143 and s179 valuation assumptions
The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) has launched a consultation on changes to actuarial assumptions in valuations used in sponsor insolvencies and to determine risk-based levies.
Aon launches service to help schemes with bulk annuity purchases
Aon Hewitt has launched a broking service called Bulk Annuity Compass to help schemes with the purchase of a bulk annuity.
RAA could be on the cards for British Steel scheme following 'collapse' of special deal to change pension law
The British Steel Pension Scheme could seek to use a regulated apportionment agreement (RAA) if the government shelves controversial plans to change pensions law to help the scheme.
Indexation overhaul could cut DB deficit by £350bn
Deficits could be reduced by hundreds of billions of pounds if schemes were able to move away from the Retail Prices Index (RPI).
PPF 7800 deficit almost doubles in a year
The total funding level of the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) 7800 index has worsened for the fourth month in a row, after further gilt yield falls.
Primark's owner falls into pension deficit
Associated British Foods (ABF) expects its defined benefit (DB) scheme to have a £200m deficit by the end of 2016 due to tumbling bond yields.
AIREA slashes deficit using PIE
Floor coverings manufacturer AIREA has cut its defined benefit (DB) scheme deficit after completing a pension increase exchange (PIE) exercise.
De-risking has worsened deficits, says industry
The majority of respondents in this week's Pensions Buzz agree with Neil Woodford's investment firm that de-risking has worsened scheme deficits.
World's largest 300 pension funds feel the pinch
Assets of the biggest 300 pension funds globally dropped by over 3% in 2015, the first fall in value since the financial crisis according to research.
Conditional indexation would be 'thin end of the wedge'
Struggling sponsoring employers of defined benefit (DB) schemes should not be allowed to suspend annual pension increases according to PP research.
