Social Issues
Uncovering the depths of hidden talent
The PLSA's Caroline Escott says investors and stakeholders must continue to ask for better information on issues that affect the motivation, skills and productivity of the workforce
Manchester University plans to close final salary scheme for support staff
The University of Manchester is consulting on closing its non-academic staff final salary fund to future accrual and enrolling new recruits into a defined contribution (DC) scheme.
Doing business the right way benefits everyone
John Gray says it is worrying for asset owners that many companies have failed to take part in the government-backed Workforce Disclosure Initiative.
Government demands commitments from Melrose over GKN bid
The government has pressed Melrose to make a series of binding commitments, including for pensions, over its hostile £8.4bn final takeover bid for GKN.
Sackers expands firm with new associate hire
Sackers has appointed Paige Willis as an associate to boost the expansion of its London-based alternative funding and contingent asset practice.
Have your say: Is pensions regulation reducing the number of lay trustees?
In this week's Pensions Buzz survey, we want to know whether regulation is forcing a reduction in the number of lay trustees.
TPR's new white paper powers could apply to Carillion retrospectively, says McVey
The secretary of state for work and pensions has told MPs clawback and avoidance measures could be imposed for the people responsible for driving Carillion over the cliff.
Bulk annuity service launched in bid to revolutionise transactions
A buyout tool which provides schemes with up-to-date pricing and comparisons between insurers has been launched by JLT Employee Benefits.
GKN trustees agrees 'positive' mitigation measures with Melrose
The trustees of GKN's pension schemes have agreed a package of mitigation measures that would improve funding to a "more prudent level" if Melrose's offer is accepted by shareholders next week.
New powers for regulator 'will make no difference to members'
While the new powers are welcome, most respondents doubt it will make a difference to the outcomes for members, Pensions Buzz respondents say.
FCA and TPR launch joint strategy to tackle pension problems
The FCA and TPR have announced their joint strategy for tackling the key risks facing pensions in the next decade. Victoria Ticha explores the plan and the industry's initial reaction.
BT and CWU agree to new 'hybrid' pension scheme
The closure of the BT Pension Scheme (BTPS) to future accrual means 20,000 active members will move to an 'enhanced' defined contribution (DC) scheme, after the company reached a deal with the union.
Action against 'unscrupulous' company directors a 'gesture' policy with little prospect of success
Enhanced powers for The Pensions Regulator (TPR) to prosecute and fine company directors who "wilfully or recklessly" put their defined benefit (DB) pension scheme at risk will be hard to enforce, commentators say.
Co-op gains £51.9m after switching pension scheme from RPI to CPI
The Co-operative Bank is set to continue de-risking pension schemes after it mitigated further losses by switching from the retail prices index (RPI) to the consumer prices index (CPI).
Black Box thinking in the pensions industry
Breaking the closed-loop thinking in pensions is possible if we can change our collective mind-set, according to David Blake and Matthew Syed
Healthcare company 'misled TPR' about complying with AE duties
Crest Healthcare and its managing director have pleaded guilty to misleading The Pensions Regulator (TPR) about enrolling employees into a workplace pension.
How we can bridge the gender gap in pensions
On International Women's Day, Kim Kaveh says evidence shows the gender gap in pension savings is still far too big, and looks at ways to close it
The court cases to watch in 2018
A number of pension issues will be battled out in the courts over the course of this year. James Phillips rounds up the cases to watch out for and the potential consequences for the industry
Cost disclosure template could be ready by April; LGPS to adopt immediately
Trustees could benefit from a standardised template for the disclosure of investment transaction costs and charges from as early as April, Chris Sier has said.
Avida International hires Sarah Smart
Sarah Smart, who is chairwoman of The Pensions Regulator's (TPR) audit committee, has been appointed senior adviser at Avida International.
GKN proposes to pay £160m into pension schemes as part of demerger plans
GKN has announced plans to make a cash contribution of £160m into its defined benefit (DB) pension schemes as part of demerger plans designed to fend off a hostile takeover by Melrose Industries.
Five stories you may have missed this week
This week's top stories include articles about the CMI's latest mortality projections model and its accompanying report, which show a clear trend in life expectancy.
Latest CMI model reveals clear trend in life expectancy
Mortality continues to show a steady decline in improvement, well below previous estimates. Victoria Ticha explores industry's reaction to the new CMI model
Sea Containers scheme enters £187m buyout
The Sea Containers 1983 Pension Scheme has been fully insured in a bulk annuity deal completed by Aviva, almost a decade after receiving the regulator's first financial support direction (FSD).
