defined benefit
Industry Voice: Striving for a more certain world
Irrespective of size, funding level or maturity, defined benefit (DB) pension plans have one common goal: to pay members' pensions in full and on time.
Nine million mid-life employees 'sleep-walking' into retirement
Nearly nine million employees aged 45 and over are "sleep-walking" into retirement, unaware of how much they need to save, according to research from Aviva.
Exclusive: Blackrock launches two ESG-focused funds
Blackrock has launched two ESG index funds for defined benefit and defined contribution (DC) schemes in response to growing demand for sustainable investment options.
PASA launches DB transfer guidance
The Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) has launched guidance on defined benefit (DB) transfers to help give members better flexibility while retaining their pension benefits.
TPR takes action against employer prioritising dividends and reveals 15% increase in use of AE powers
The Pensions Regulator has set how it has used its powers over the first three months of the year in a bid to better protect scheme members.
Credit where credit is due
Cashflow driven investment strategies can provide a greater certainty of outcome, while also enhancing a scheme's risk management framework, says Schroders' head of fiduciary management Hannah Simons
British Polythene scheme granted security ahead of company acquisition
The British Polythene Pension Scheme (BPPS) has been promised £3.8m per year in additional cash contributions until 2027 as its corporate sponsor is acquired.
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
An opportunity for a simpler DB world
Jenny Condron says pensions simplification would sweep away confusion for members arising from having up to 12 tranches with different rates of revaluation and increase.
PASA launches industry group to advise on GMP Equalisation
An industry group has been set up to help pension schemes equalise guaranteed minimum pensions (GMPs) following last year's landmark ruling.
What does 2019 hold in store for DB pensions?
Buck's David Piltz says the industry was shaped by several developments in 2018, many of which will continue to influence the sector this year.
Manchester University staff vote to strike over pensions reform
Support staff at Manchester University have overwhelmingly voted to take strike action over plans to reduce and close the defined benefit (DB) pension scheme.
Ford set to offer partial transfer option to members
Motoring giant Ford has agreed to offer members of its UK defined benefit (DB) scheme the right to partially transfer their pension.
Employers urge DWP to give TPR more targeted but proportionate powers
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) must be given more targeted powers but maintain flexibility around defined benefit (DB) scheme funding, concludes a survey by the Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA).
Government should not require schemes to offer partial transfers - PP research
In this week's Pensions Buzz, respondents warned schemes being required to offer partial transfers could lead to too many administrative burdens
Master trust authorisation is a good start but more needs to be done
Jonathan Stapleton says while the new rules will ensure master trusts are well run and have good systems, they won't necessarily ensure members are in the best schemes
Smaller DB schemes 15 points less well-funded with 'less robust' risk management
Smaller FTSE 350 defined benefit (DB) schemes were nearly 15 percentage points less well-funded than larger schemes in 2017, according to a Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM) analysis.
PPF proposes levy for commercial consolidators; slashes general levy estimate by £50m
The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) is consulting on proposals to charge a "risk reflective" levy for commercial defined benefit (DB) consolidation vehicles.
Alan Rubenstein: DB consolidation right answer for only a 'minority' of schemes
There will be "many flavours" of defined benefit (DB) consolidators but consolidation will only be the right answer for a minority of schemes, Alan Rubenstein says.
L&G completes £285m buy-in with Fortune 500 company
A US company has completed a £285m pensioner bulk annuity for around 1,100 of UK members with Legal & General (L&G).
Mind the gap: How trustees can improve transfer out processes
Done properly, DB to DC transfers can benefit the member, the trustees and the sponsor. But, as Mark Evans says, there is need for improvements in the area of transfer out processes.
Hammond open to RPI reform but up to 'ONS to initiate'
Chancellor Philip Hammond has said he would be happy to hear about reforming the retail prices index (RPI) as long as the Office of National Statistics (ONS) initiates discussions.
ONS: DC membership up 20% in 2017 but contribution rates fall by 19%
Occupational pension scheme membership hit a record high in 2017, with more than 41.1 million people saving through the workplace, latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data reveals.
