Mercer

Schemes are interested in fiduciary management but greater understanding is needed. Helen Morrissey looks at how schemes are engaging with this service.

FTSE350 scheme deficits have remained virtually unchanged since 2002 while FTSE100 longevity assumptions have increased for the sixth year running, Mercer says.

Mercer has confirmed its UK chief executive Alan Whalley has retired from the company, leaving a gap in its senior team.

Mercer has praised the National Employment Savings Trust's method of putting new members into low-risk investments, just a year after raising concerns about the practice.

Institutional investors taking part in a Sodali survey overwhelmingly endorsed the ‘say on pay' system of voting on executive remuneration as Mercer criticised government policy on top pay.

Major consultants are advocating ‘multi-asset credit' strategies within pension scheme bond portfolios, which include active allocations across sub-investment grade debt.

Trustees should be prepared for life expectancy of members to continue to increase rapidly despite data from the Office of National Statistics suggesting a possible slowdown, says Mercer.

Higher long-term inflation expectations added £5bn to defined benefit scheme deficits in August, according to Mercer.

Jack Jones examines changes to the Environment Agency pension fund’s investment strategy

A checklist for trustees and sponsors