Aon
Ten tips for mastering virtual trustee meetings
A rise in the use of virtual trustee meetings could prove challenging for those involved but there are ways to improve their effectiveness, Aon says.
Five stories you may have missed this week
This week’s top stories include Aon’s $30bn purchase of Willis Towers Watson, and the tapered annual allowance thresholds increasing by £90,000.
Aon to buy Willis Towers Watson in $30bn deal
Aon has confirmed it will buy Willis Towers Watson in a $30bn (£23bn) all-share deal, becoming the UK's largest pension consulting firm.
DWP disappoints with 'unfortunate' decision to hike general levy by 10%
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says it will press ahead with a 10% increase to the general levy from 1 April, despite a severe industry backlash to a consultation on the issue.
Xylem agrees £255m buy-in with Rothesay Life
The Xylem UK Pension Plan has confirmed a £255m buy-in transaction with Rothesay Life in the insurer’s first deal of 2020.
Positive expectations for TPR's long-awaited funding code
The industry has positive expectations for The Pensions Regulator’s (TPR) forthcoming funding code for defined benefit (DB) pension schemes, according to Aon.
Co-op scheme agrees £1bn buy-in with PIC
The Co-operative Pension Scheme (Pace) has agreed a £1bn buy-in with Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC), insuring benefits for around 7,000 members.
One in five contract-based schemes expected to move into a master trust
A fifth of contract-based pension schemes expect to move to a master trust by 2025, along with a third of trust-based plans.
TPR holds back from mandating use of professional trustees
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has announced new measures around the appointment of professional trustees following concerns that poor governance is putting members’ savings at risk.
Co-op scheme completes £1bn buy-in with Aviva
The Co-operative Pension Scheme, known as Pace, has completed a £1bn buy-in with Aviva in the first announced bulk annuity deal of 2020.
Savers dispute ESG as a 'tick-box' in government agenda
Over 80% of consumers want to know more about which companies their pensions are invested in and more transparent updates on their business activities, according to PensionBee.
The tide turns for DC and alternatives
DC schemes are increasingly looking at investing in alternatives but face a number of challenges. Charlotte Moore takes a look at the issues they face.
ESPS completes £805m buy-in with Scottish Widows
The Electricity North West Group of the Electricity Supply Pension Scheme (ESPS) has invested in an £805m pensioner buy-in with Scottish Widows.
Aon paper guides trustees to opportunities for public equity impact
Aon has published a paper offering pension scheme trustees insight into investment areas if they are looking for competitive financial returns and to deliver a positive social and environmental impact.
Simplifying flex: How providers are evolving to simplify products
Many traditional flexible benefit schemes have become complex and unwieldy. Nick Martindale looks at how providers are evolving to simplify products and better meet employee needs.
National Grid agrees £1.6bn buy-in with L&G in second deal this year
The National Grid UK Pension Scheme has agreed its second buy-in this year, transferring £1.6bn of pension risk to Legal & General (L&G).
The next DB challenge: Being fully funded
As more schemes reach a fully funded status, it is important that the risk-averse environment is not codified into regulations, says Paul McGlone.
'No excuse' for industry slipping from GMP equalisation timescale targets
The lack of clarity from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on guaranteed minimum pension (GMP) equalisation is “no excuse” for stalling implementation, says Aon.
2019's 'jumbo' bulk annuities bigger than any full-year volume
Small schemes are facing “obvious challenges” in grabbing insurer attention as “jumbo” deals are beginning to typify the bulk annuity market, Aon says.
Pensions industry has 'lack of clarity' on members' retirement needs
Estimates of the amount of money needed for a ‘modest’ retirement can vary by up to £500,000, according to research from Aon.
Exclusive: FTSE 100 risk settlement transactions hit £70bn
FTSE 100 risk settlement transactions have reached £70bn as a third of these firms remove longevity risk, according to Aon.
National Grid scheme completes £2.8bn buy-in with Rothesay Life
The National Grid UK Pension Scheme has agreed a £2.8bn buy-in deal with Rothesay Life, covering the benefits of an unspecified number of pensioner members.
UK investors recognise increasing importance of ESG
Responsible investing has dramatically grown in importance to investors over the last year, according to research by Aon.
Is NEST setting a benchmark for other DC schemes?
NEST has allocated 5% of assets to private credit and announced its two fund managers for this area. Holly Roach looks at how the provider is leading the way for other schemes
