Risk Reduction
FRC inspections reveal weaknesses in pension audit work
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has found weaknesses in nearly half of the audit work relating to pension valuations and disclosures it inspected over the past financial year.
PIC invests £100m in social housing
Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC) has made a £100m investment in social housing with Accord Housing Association.
Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund buys stake in PIC
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) has agreed to acquire up to 21.4% of shares in the Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC) Group from its founding investor J.C. Flowers & Co.
Allen & Overy promotes lawyers to partner and counsel
Allen & Overy has promoted Andy Cork to partner and Jason Shaw to counsel in its London pensions team.
A closer look at Kingfisher's £209m buy-in with PIC
A second bulk annuity has been agreed for the Kingfisher Pension Scheme. Victoria Ticha speaks to the trustee about this next step in its journey towards self-sufficiency
EXCLUSIVE: PMI members gain access to 'core insight' from new industry partners
The Pensions Management Institute (PMI) is modernising through its aim to provide members access to 'core insight' by forming industry partnerships with organisations, writes Victoria Ticha
Prudential sells £12bn annuity book to Rothesay Life
Prudential has sold £12bn in annuity assets to reinsurance business Rothesay Life as part of its M&G demerger announced today.
Aon grows risk settlement team with hire from Scottish Widows
Aon has appointed Mike Edwards as a partner in its risk settlement team to support the growth of its business offerings in the UK.
Hymans Robertson expands risk transfer team with partner hire from Prudential
Hymans Robertson has appointed Michael Abramson as a partner and risk transfer specialist to grow its risk reduction offerings.
WPP completes £140m buy-in deal with PIC to insure five schemes
Five schemes sponsored by advertising firm WPP have completed a buy-in with Pension Insurance Corporation - insuring £140m of pensioner and deferred liabilities.
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.
Is LDI still working?
While LDI has been a helpful risk management tool it must adapt to a world where yields have yet again fallen to record lows and prospects for growth assets have deteriorated. Stephanie Baxter reports
PPF 7800 deficit rises by £24.4bn after gilt yields hit record low
The total funding level of the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) 7800 index fell to 81.5% by the end of May.
DB deficits hit record £310bn in May
Total deficits of defined benefit (DB) schemes exceeded £300bn for the first time in May reaching record levels, according to JLT Employee Benefits.
TPR 'should make Green cough up money' for BHS scheme
A majority of 170 respondents to this week's Pensions Buzz believe The Pensions Regulator (TPR) should make Sir Philip Green pay money into the BHS Pension Scheme.
Walker moves back to Aon Hewitt from L&G
Michael Walker has been appointed principal consultant in Aon Hewitt's risk settlement group.
Government should ban LGPS from political divestment campaigns
The government is right to stop the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) from making politically motivated investment decisions according to PP research.
Higher actuarial fees do not deliver value for money says industry
Paying actuaries more money does not lead to better services for schemes according to PP research.
Low & Bonar completes £34m medically underwritten buy-in
Low & Bonar has completed a medically underwritten buy-in of £34m of liabilities within its defined benefit (DB) pension scheme.
Hackney's pension committee approves measures to tackle climate change risks
Hackney Council's pension fund committee has agreed to endorse a series of recommendations on dealing with fossil fuel and climate change issues after facing mounting pressure from a campaign group.
Bulk annuity pricing 'less predictable' due to volatility and Solvency II
Short-term bulk annuity pricing has become less predictable due to volatile market conditions and insurers adjusting to Solvency II, according to Aon Hewitt.
What are the implications for UK pensions of IORP II juggernaut nearing completion?
IORP II legislation is finally near completion. PP breaks down what it means for UK trustees
How far can the medically underwritten bulk annuity market grow?
As medically underwritten deals reach record levels, PP looks at why this market is booming.
Aegon expands workplace pension default fund range
Aegon has overhauled its workplace pension default funds in response to the extra retirement flexibilities introduced in April.