PLANSPONSOREurope.com

How I learned to sit on the fence about auto enrolment, only to find dissent still exists

Graham — Fri, 24 May 2013 06:24:10 GMT

How I learned to sit on the fence about auto enrolment, only to find dissent still exists PLANSPONSOREurope Staff The stand out quote was undoubtedly “catch me if you can”, but arguably more telling was the equation of auto enrolment with theft. Both comments were made by pair of (I think it’s

Catch us if you can: small business directors defiant over auto enrolment compliance

Graham — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:58:53 GMT

Catch us if you can: small business directors defiant over auto enrolment compliance Some small employers will refuse to comply with auto enrolment legislation and doubt the regulator’s ability to effectively police it. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com Research from the In

Friday Q auto enrolment implementation times

Graham — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:43:35 GMT

Friday Q auto enrolment implementation times PLANSPONSOREurope Staff This week’s Friday Q addresses auto enrolment implementation times. How long do you think a sponsoring employer needs to get an auto enrolment compliant scheme set up? Click here to respond. And the results of last we

Regulator AE helpline accused of giving sponsors bad advice

Graham — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:05:24 GMT

Regulator AE helpline accused of giving sponsors bad advice The Pensions Regulator’s auto-enrolment helpline has come under fire for providing “inconsistent” information to employers. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com It gave British Airways’ HR and benefits staff contradict

UK employers significantly underestimating auto enrolment implementation timescale

Graham — Fri, 24 May 2013 03:52:50 GMT

UK employers significantly underestimating auto enrolment implementation timescale UK employers typically underestimate the time it will take to become auto enrolment ready by as much as nine months, according to research from NEST. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com Present

Vast majority of UK employers not designing new schemes for auto enrolment

Graham — Thu, 23 May 2013 04:43:36 GMT

Vast majority of UK employers not designing new schemes for auto enrolment Smaller UK employees are less than half as likely to create a new scheme for auto-enrolment as the earliest stagers, research shows. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com According to the Chartered Instit

McDonalds focused on keeping auto enrolled staff in Nest

Graham — Fri, 24 May 2013 03:49:20 GMT

McDonalds focused on keeping auto enrolled staff in Nest McDonalds has defended its policy of auto enrolling serving staff at the minimum legal contribution level as necessary for minimising opt-out. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com The fast food giant introduced Nest, with

Take two! UK movie workers scheme to broaden its membership

Graham — Wed, 22 May 2013 04:08:08 GMT

Take two! UK movie workers scheme to broaden its membership The Film Industry Pension Scheme will be extended to allow freelance journalists and other ‘media’ workers to become members. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com The industry wide DC plan was launched this month to gi

Regulator mulls publishing suspected fraud scheme list

Graham — Tue, 21 May 2013 05:23:50 GMT

Regulator mulls publishing suspected fraud scheme list The Pensions Regulator has not ruled out publishing a list of ‘pension liberation’ schemes it is concerned about. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com This type of fraud has been under closer than usual scrutiny in recent w

Blue chip DC plans diversifying within accumulation phase

Graham — Tue, 21 May 2013 05:33:40 GMT

Blue chip DC plans diversifying within accumulation phase The UK’s largest firms’ DC schemes have around a fifth of their assets outside of pure equity funds at the beginning of their growth phases. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com According to Towers Watson research, the

Graduate pay plummet could undermine auto enrolment savings goal

James — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:16:46 GMT

Graduate pay plummet could undermine auto enrolment savings goal Predicted graduate pay-freezes across UK sponsors risk undermining the government’s aim to encourage saving, experts have warned. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com According to research from pollsters Income

Managers make case for DC property boom

Graham — Fri, 17 May 2013 06:32:42 GMT

Managers make case for DC property boom A relaxed approach to liquidity would make property a mainstream asset to UK DC schemes, according to a new report. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com The DC Investment Forum document makes a wide ranging case for relaxing daily pricing

Employers urged to follow US flexi time trend

Graham — Fri, 17 May 2013 06:07:58 GMT

Employers urged to follow US flexi time trend UK employers should include more flexi-time into their benefit packages for older workers, according to a US consultancy. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com A poll of workplace pension savers by Aegon shows 21% of UK firms current

Friday Q choice on auto enrolment participation

Graham — Fri, 17 May 2013 02:52:09 GMT

Friday Q choice on auto enrolment participation PLANSPONSOREurope Staff This week’s Friday Q addresses auto enrolment and giving people the choice to participate. Evidence from Mexico suggests auto enrolment without compulsion still leads to high DC participation rates. Do you think the UK

What Makes A Good Pension?

Graham — Fri, 17 May 2013 02:49:59 GMT

What Makes A Good Pension? PLANSPONSOREurope Staff Legal & General’s Adrian Boulding on the myriad factors involved in ensuring good defined contribution outcomes. Legal & General played host recently to a debate on the topic of “what makes a good pension?”, organised by The-Pensions-

Auto enrolment opt out policy gets boost from Mexican wave of participation

Graham — Thu, 16 May 2013 05:57:33 GMT

Auto enrolment opt out policy gets boost from Mexican wave of participation Automatic enrolment to workplace pension schemes with opt out, as is being implemented in the UK, has seen participation rates of about 90%, over 15 years in Mexico. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com

UK savers more likely to make pensions commitment

James — Wed, 15 May 2013 06:34:55 GMT

UK savers more likely to make pensions commitment The UK has a higher proportion of people saving regularly into pension schemes than comparable nations, research shows. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com Data from Aegon’s latest retirement readiness survey reveals 41% of Br

L&G introduces trustee for its contract based schemes

James — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:29:31 GMT

L&G introduces trustee for its contract based schemes Legal & General has employed the independent members of its master trust board to work with its contract-based DC investment oversight team. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com The provider has announced its master

UK pensioners spurn support for and of family

Graham — Tue, 14 May 2013 06:22:57 GMT

UK pensioners spurn support for and of family UK pension savers expect to provide far less financial support to their families in retirement than their international counterparts, but are marginally less likely to ask for it. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com According to Ae

UK DC schemes can explore infrastructure investment

Graham — Tue, 14 May 2013 04:36:12 GMT

UK DC schemes can explore infrastructure investment Large UK DC funds should follow their continental counterparts in emulating DB schemes’ direct infrastructure investments, one such scheme has claimed. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com The UK’s DB plans are being urged to

SMEs unfazed by consultancy charging ban

Graham — Mon, 13 May 2013 04:43:15 GMT

SMEs unfazed by consultancy charging ban Smaller companies will not be affected by the end of consultancy charging, according to HR professionals’ body the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com The government announced it is go

Ask the Asset Experts: AMCs and pensions charging

Graham — Fri, 10 May 2013 05:45:20 GMT

Ask the Asset Experts: AMCs and pensions charging PLANSPONSOREurope Staff The UK Work and Pensions Select Committee has claimed employees in company pension schemes are being hit with “damaging” charges – how can the pension industry work together so that its citizens are provided with a more transparent

Friday Q: Pensions Liberation Fraud

Graham — Fri, 10 May 2013 05:37:49 GMT

Friday Q: Pensions Liberation Fraud PLANSPONSOREurope Staff This week's Q addresses Pensions Liberation Fraud. As the City of London this week made its first arrests involving pensions liberation fraud this week's Friday Q is: Have any of your members or clients been c

City of London Police swoop in suspected pension liberation fraud arrests

Graham — Fri, 10 May 2013 01:57:42 GMT

City of London Police swoop in suspected pension liberation fraud arrests The ‘pensions liberation’ gang arrested in a series of dawn raids is suspected of syphoning off £500,000 worth of pension pots, police have revealed. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com Three men were ar

Low yields and liquidity fears stymie property investment growth

Graham — Thu, 09 May 2013 05:45:07 GMT

Low yields and liquidity fears stymie property investment growth Low property yields have taken their toll, as UK pension funds’ investment in the asset class plummeted last year. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com According to research from consultant Mercer, real estate sa

Zurich auto enrolment default fund part of DC DGF trend

James — Wed, 08 May 2013 02:46:27 GMT

Zurich auto enrolment default fund part of DC DGF trend Risk adversity in DC savers is driving a move to offer diversified growth funds in plans’ accumulation stages, according to research. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com According to a survey by Zurich, 80% of employees

PIP plans swift progress to requests for proposals following expressions of interest deadline

Graham — Tue, 07 May 2013 07:36:54 GMT

PIP plans swift progress to requests for proposals following expressions of interest deadline The Pensions Infrastructure Platform (PIP) is aiming to move to a request for proposal (RfP) stage “shortly after” its 31 March deadline for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from investment managers announced today. PLA

The Friday View: the best of DC, nominate your scheme today

James — Fri, 03 May 2013 02:47:04 GMT

The Friday View: the best of DC, nominate your scheme today PLANSPONSOREurope Staff In July, sponsors of defined contribution schemes can look forward to a new ‘code of conduct’ from the Pensions Regulator. They have to be mindful that their plans meet not just the regulator’s six DC “principl

The Friday View: is long term financing of the economy in the interest of pension funds?

James — Fri, 03 May 2013 02:37:15 GMT

The Friday View: is long term financing of the economy in the interest of pension funds? PLANSPONSOREurope Staff Matti Leppälä warns governments they need to think carefully before for palming infrastructure spending off onto pension funds On 25 March 2013, the European Commission adopted a G

Friday Q: SMEs and AE opt out rates

James — Fri, 03 May 2013 02:12:00 GMT

Friday Q: SMEs and AE opt out rates PLANSPONSOREurope Staff With new research indicating auto enrolment opt out rates are lower than initially feared, do you expect future rates of non-participation, among employees of smaller companies lower still, higher or about the same? Click here

Tribunal fees rules will deter auto enrolment disputes

Graham — Fri, 03 May 2013 01:20:38 GMT

Tribunal fees rules will deter auto enrolment disputes New rules introducing Employment Tribunal fees will deter a predicted spike in cases objecting to pay freezes connected to the cost of auto enrolment, lawyers are warning. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com The governmen

‘Unique’ employers urged to seek AE advice from regulator

Graham — Thu, 02 May 2013 03:51:07 GMT

‘Unique’ employers urged to seek AE advice from regulator UK employers should actively seek assistance from the Pensions Regulator to avoid auto-enrolment non compliance, according to early auto enroller John Lewis. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com The retail giant, which

Auto enrolment opt out rates lower than feared

Graham — Thu, 02 May 2013 03:49:16 GMT

Auto enrolment opt out rates lower than feared The number of employees opting out from auto enrolment could be around four percentage points lower than first feared, according to research. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com A poll from Aviva, earlier this year, predicted near

Pensions Regulator chair blasts single watchdog proposals

Graham — Wed, 01 May 2013 02:06:38 GMT

Pensions Regulator chair blasts single watchdog proposals The Pensions Regulator chairman Michael O’Higgins has launched a staunch defence of his organisation, from claims it should be merged with the Financial Conduct Authority. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com He told del

Regulator in a rush to appoint Galvin successor

Graham — Wed, 01 May 2013 02:00:31 GMT

Regulator in a rush to appoint Galvin successor The Pensions Regulator is prepared to fast track its usual appointment process to replace outgoing chief executive Bill Galvin as soon as possible. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com The watchdog’s chairman Michael O’Higgins has

UK schemes announce investment adviser panel

Graham — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 06:04:04 GMT

UK schemes announce investment adviser panel A Norfolk County Council-led group of UK pension funds has appointed six investment consultants to a joint procurement panel. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com The multi-provider ‘framework agreement’ is the second phase of a

Dutch ‘shareholder spring’ in the air, as funds pick Heineken battle

Graham — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 05:49:32 GMT

Dutch ‘shareholder spring’ in the air, as funds pick Heineken battle Dutch multi-employer scheme administrator APG has warned its vote against the Heineken CEO’s bonus deal is one of many shareholder protests in the offing. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com The firm voted on

L&G casts eye across the pond for bulk annuity expansion

James — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:54:36 GMT

L&G casts eye across the pond for bulk annuity expansion Legal & General (L&G) is looking to use its first non-UK bulk annuity transaction to launch into the overseas buy-in market, with an eye on the US. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com The UK insurer has comp

Eastern Europe facing pensions timebomb

Graham — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 03:46:06 GMT

Eastern Europe facing pensions timebomb Europe’s Eastern bloc is facing a pensions time-bomb unless it dramatically changes policy, according to an influential think tank. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com A report from the Bertelsmann Foundation measuring “intergenerational

FCA to table response to calls for single regulator by end of June

James — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 03:38:22 GMT

FCA to table response to calls for single regulator by end of June The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is to respond to a Work and Pensions select committee report calling for a single pensions regulator by the end of the June. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com The r

The Friday Q: Europe and default options

James — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 03:14:16 GMT

The Friday Q: Europe and default options PLANSPONSOREurope Staff Each week we ask PLANSPONSOR Europe readers to take part in an online survey by answering a single question on a hot topic. Regulator the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority has conducted a survey of the con

The Friday View: “The kangaroo alternative” – How does the Australian retirement savings solution compare with Europe?

James — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 03:02:11 GMT

The Friday View: “The kangaroo alternative” – How does the Australian retirement savings solution compare with Europe? PLANSPONSOREurope Staff Peter Nicholas at Anthony Hodges Consulting explores what Europe can learn from the land down under. Geographically, Australia and continental Europe

The Friday View: Irish pensions in the spotlight

James — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 02:59:39 GMT

The Friday View: Irish pensions in the spotlight PLANSPONSOREurope Staff Jerry Moriarty on the OECD’s highly comprehensive review of the Irish pension system. Most people consider pensions a fairly dull area where little happens. Every now and then you get a flurry of excitement and then ever

ATP to continue to emphasise equities

Graham — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 04:15:25 GMT

ATP to continue to emphasise equities Danish pension fund ATP will increase its exposure to domestic equities this year, after the asset class drove its DKK3.6bn investment returns in Q1. Its first quarter results revealed the scheme’s 17th consecutive month of positive returns, 80% of which it claims are from i

English Local Council funds plan to appoint pension administrators by autumn

James — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 06:19:26 GMT

English Local Council funds plan to appoint pension administrators by autumn Ten English local council pension schemes plan to appoint pension administrators to a new framework by the autumn. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com In the biggest service procurement rationalisatio

DC boost for Irish airline workers

Graham — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 04:17:47 GMT

DC boost for Irish airline workers Dublin Airport Authority staff are set to receive a new DC scheme, while negotiations over closing its DB arrangement drag on. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com The employer has tendered for a provider and administrator for a new plan, for

Business chiefs warn Ireland is years off introducing compulsion despite OECD call

Graham — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 03:55:58 GMT

Business chiefs warn Ireland is years off introducing compulsion despite OECD call Ireland is a “considerable” period of time from introducing compulsory occupational pensions, according to employers group Irish Business and Employers’ Confederation. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com

Providers divided over UK small DC pots review

Graham — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 04:13:02 GMT

PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com The Department for Work & Pension published a raft of proposals for allowing accrued pension pots to automatically follow savers around auto-enrolment schemes, when they move jobs. These include making the transfers automatic for all

PFZW predicts coverage ratio fall

Graham — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 04:41:49 GMT

PFZW predicts coverage ratio fall Dutch healthcare pension fund PFZW estimates its coverage ratio could fall by 15-20% percentage points as a result of planned changes to its benefit projections. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com Following its decision last year to opt to m

Lehmans UK pension dispute back in court

James — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 04:25:19 GMT

Lehmans pension dispute back in court Several Lehmans Brothers subsidiaries will renew their bid to avoid being sued by trustees of the defunct investment bank and the UK Pensions Regulator this month. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com The UK Court of Appeal will hear the 3

When is a recession not a ‘recession’ but still a recession?

Graham — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 07:16:18 GMT

When is a recession not a ‘recession’ but still a recession? PLANSPONSOREurope Staff “A lot of you here in Europe may not be familiar with these concepts,” said Japanese economist Richard Koo to an audience of continent-wide pension fund investment officers and asset managers. He was one of t

Ask the Asset Experts: What was the pensions legacy of the Thatcher years?

Graham — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 07:41:27 GMT

Ask the Asset Experts: What was the pensions legacy of the Thatcher years? PLANSPONSOREurope Staff In a week in which the first female UK prime minister was laid to rest, this week’s Ask the Experts column explores the pensions legacy of the tenure of Margaret Thatcher. Terry Mellish, Hea

The Friday Q: On France retaining its retirement age of 62

Graham — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 06:06:52 GMT

The Friday Q: On France retaining its retirement age of 62 PLANSPONSOREurope Staff With France’s government announcing it is to retain its retirement age of 62 is it fair for the country’s children to be burdened with an increasing debt caused by paying for current and imminent generations of retirees d

Dairy Crest still treading Caerphilly over recovery plan

Graham — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 04:17:11 GMT

Dairy Crest still treading Caerphilly over recovery plan Dairy Crest’s move to pump £40m into its pension scheme will help determine the period of the fund’s recovery plan, according to its trustee. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com Yesterday the UK dairy firm announced a o

Dutch 274bn euro fund agrees out of court settlement with Goldman Sachs

Graham — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 04:12:33 GMT

Dutch 274bn euro fund agrees out of court settlement with Goldman Sachs Dutch 274bn euro fund agrees out of court settlement with Goldman Sachs Civil service pension fund ABP has reached a settlement with Goldman Sachs bank, over miss selling allegations relating to residential mortgage backed securities.

Ball in Irish government’s court over proposed public sector pay cuts

James — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:43:39 GMT

Ball in Irish government’s court over proposed public sector pay cuts The ball is in the Irish government’s court over negotiations to cut the pay of Irish public sector workers, according to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com The I

French retirement age to cause pension payment shortfall

James — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:40:58 GMT

French retirement age to cause pension payment shortfall France needs to increase its retirement age by at least three to four years to balance the books, according to professional services firm Deloitte. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com According to reports from France th

Dairy Crest allays trustee covenant concerns by pumping £40m into pension fund

James — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 05:36:59 GMT

Dairy Crest allays trustee covenant concerns by pumping £40m into pension fund Dairy Crest has allayed trustee concerns around its employer covenant by pumping £40m into its pension fund. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com The dairy firm today announced today a one off cash c

Zurich Financial Services UK Pension Scheme hires Paul Trickett

James — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:34:39 GMT

Zurich Financial Services UK Pension Scheme hires Paul Trickett Zurich Financial Services UK Pension Scheme has appointed Paul Trickett as chair of trustees. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com PLANSPONSOR Europe’s sister title aiCIO has learned the former head of G

German pension fund eyes further climate change investment

Graham — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 05:58:02 GMT

German pension fund eyes further climate change investment German medical workers pension fund Ärzteversorgung Westfalen-Lippe hopes to grow its green energy portfolio, following an "initial" 22.8m euro investment. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com It claims, if successful,

Somerset County Council Pension Fund seeks new Asia Pac equity manager

Graham — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 07:52:18 GMT

Somerset County Council Pension Fund seeks new Asia Pac equity manager Somerset County Council Pension Fund is looking for an Asia Pacific equity manager after cancelling a contract with UBS Asset Management, citing “unsuitable performance”. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com

Predicted rise in UK business insolvencies as late pension payments soar

Graham — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 04:33:14 GMT

Predicted rise in UK business insolvencies as late pension payments soar The UK is only likely to see a “modest rise” in business insolvencies, despite dramatically increasing numbers of sponsors failing to make payments to their DB schemes on time. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com

Royal Mail’s Degaute gives way to new generation

James — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 02:42:30 GMT

Royal Mail’s Degaute gives way to new generation The long-standing CEO of the UK’s Royal Mail Pension Trustees is to stand aside as a new generation of investors takes over. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com Gerry Degaute, now the out

Czech government to reveal details of private pensions promotion campaign

Graham — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 06:26:24 GMT

Czech government to reveal details of private pensions promotion campaign The Czech government is to reveal details this week of a media campaign designed at promoting private pensions. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com Since January of this year u

EAPF appoints Townsend Group for forestry investments

Graham — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 06:31:06 GMT

EAPF appoints Townsend Group for forestry investments The pension fund of the UK’s Environment Agency (EAPF) has appointed US real estate investment consultants Townsend Group to develop a global portfolio of up to £240m in real assets (property, infrastructure, forestry and far

Holistic Balance Sheet: handle with care

James — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:11:44 GMT

Holistic Balance Sheet: handle with care PLANSPONSOREurope Staff Francesco Briganti and Nicolo’ Brignoli explore the implications of the preliminary QIS results. The preliminary results of the (first?) IORP II QIS have eventually been published and, according to EIOPA, “must be treated with c

Ask the asset experts - What are pension funds role in financing the European economy?

James — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 06:33:11 GMT

Ask the asset experts - What are pension funds role in financing the European economy? PLANSPONSOREurope Staff In the first of a new weekly column PLANSPONSOR Europe asks a panel of asset experts about a burning issue affecting plan sponsors and pension funds. Would the proposals contained in

Friday Q Japanese QE

James — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 03:11:59 GMT

The Friday Q: Europe and Japanese quantitative easing PLANSPONSOREurope Staff Each week we ask PLANSPONSOR Europe readers to take part in an online survey by answering a single question on a hot topic. Should European national governments or the European Commission explore the recent Japanese

The Thursday View: infrastructure investment risks

Graham — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 07:16:29 GMT

The Thursday View: infrastructure investment risks PLANSPONSOREurope Staff Nicolas Firzli on pension schemes desperately seeking higher yields as asset security breaches abound from Bolivia to Brussels… One of the most significant traits of the Great Recession that started in 2008 has been th

Friday Q 28 March

James — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 05:12:30 GMT

The Thursday Q: Europe-wide infrastructure funding PLANSPONSOREurope Staff Each week we ask PLANSPONSOR Europe readers to take part in an online survey by answering a single question on a hot topic. Does the European Union's admission it faces bankruptcy over its continent-wide infrastructure

The Friday View: how to inform DC Members

James — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 03:40:53 GMT

The Friday View: how to inform DC members PLANSPONSOREurope Staff Jerry Moriarty welcomes EIOPA's latest guidance on DC communications for its human touch. Most people would agree that the current disclosure requirements for defined contribution pension arrangements need a new approach. T

Friday Q 22 March 2013

James — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 03:08:04 GMT

The Friday Q: Fracking and ESG PLANSPONSOREurope Staff Each week we ask PLANSPONSOR Europe readers to take part in an online survey by answering a single question on a hot topic. The UK government is offering incentives for schemes to invest in the natural gas extraction process 'fracking'.

What gives you confidence in a conference?

James — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 07:40:22 GMT

What gives you confidence in a conference? James Redgrave James Redgrave on the challenges and rewards of organising a conference for the managers of workplace pension schemes. Speaking to the trustees and pensions directors walking the floor of the National Association of Pension Funds’

The end of quantitative easing could be a victory or one less excuse for pension schemes

James — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 02:26:08 GMT

The end of quantitative easing could be a victory or one less excuse for pension schemes PLANSPONSOREurope Staff The chairman of the UK's National Association of Pension Funds, Mark Hyde Harrison, told PLANSPONSOR Europe in a video coming soon to this site, that "optimism" was the overriding theme of his

Europe’s pension predicament: the broken Bismarckian promise

James — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 04:13:29 GMT

Europe’s pension predicament:the broken Bismarckian promise PLANSPONSOREurope Staff The World Pensions Council’s Nicolas Firzli on how post financial crisis regulation is irreparably shifting the state/private consensus in European pensions. During the six decades of generall

Pensioners should not pay still more of the costs of the financial crisis

James — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 03:47:46 GMT

Pensioners should not pay still more of the costs of the financial crisis PLANSPONSOREurope Staff Matti Leppälä on why pension schemes must be exempt from the Financial Transaction Tax Pensions should be taxed on EET principle: Exempt contributions, Exempt investment income and Tax pension be

The IORP directive review: where are we now?

James — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 03:27:04 GMT

The IORP directive review: where are we now? PLANSPONSOREurope Staff Nicolo Brignoli on the lessons from EIOPA’s quantitative impact study of the European Commission’s IORP directive. During the last year the pension debate revolved around the discussions and a

Risk management for global DC pension schemes

James — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 03:18:41 GMT

Risk management for global DC pension schemes PLANSPONSOREurope Staff Mercer’s Tony Pugh on how and why sponsors should start assessing the risks associated with defined contribution, as well as just defined benefit, schemes. Multinationals have spent considerabl

Do we assume too much?

James — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 04:53:32 GMT

Do we assume too much? PLANSPONSOREurope Staff A lot of the work we do in the pensions sector is based on assumptions. For defined benefit schemes, the scheme actuary will make assumptions about future investment returns, salary growth, longevity, mortality rates and many other aspects of the scheme’s

Does the UK’s Pension Regulator need a “new statutory objective to consider the long term affordability of deficit recovery plans to sponsoring employers”?

Graham — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 02:03:53 GMT

Does the UK’s Pension Regulator need a “new statutory objective to consider the long term affordability of deficit recovery plans to sponsoring employers”? PLANSPONSOREurope Staff James Redgrave, Managing Editor, PLANSPONSOR Europe Does the UK’s Pension Regulator need a “new statutory objective to

The Holistic Balance Sheet is not the Holy Grail

James — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 04:57:35 GMT

The Holistic Balance Sheet is not the Holy Grail PLANSPONSOREurope Staff PensionsEurope's Matti Leppala on why the "questionable" assumptions behind the Holistic Balance Sheet. For already many years the European Commission has been searching for a new solvency framework for pension fund

2013: key year for pension funds in Europe?

James — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 04:48:06 GMT

2013: key year for pension funds in Europe? PLANSPONSOREurope Staff The European Association of Paritarian Institutions of Social Protection's Francesco Brigante looks at the major pensions events of 2012 and forward to 2013 2012 was a tough year for the pension industry in Europe. The cu

REFINED CONTRIBUTION Survey highlights DC differences

James — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 03:14:21 GMT

REFINED CONTRIBUTION Survey highlights DC differences PLANSPONSOREurope Staff The Irish Association of Pension Funds' Jerry Moriarty takes a look at the European defined contribution landscape. We are seeing a huge growth in Defined Contribution pension provision across Europe. This is

Christine Haswell

Tara — Fri, 11 May 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Christine Haswell The UK government needs to prove that underfunded public sector schemes are unviable, Christine Haswell, Pensions Officer at the PCS Union told PLANSPONSOR Europe . Speaking at the Methodist Centrall Hall—the site of a rally in support of Thursday's public sector pension protest—Haswe

Bit of a Damp Squid

Kat — Thu, 10 May 2012 07:09:59 GMT

Bit of a Damp Squid? Graham Simons “Is it just me and you then?” was the question posed by one Occupy protestor to another as she descended on the Westminster Bridge, overshadowed by St Stephen’s tower, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, and joined the ranks of today’s UK public sector pensions melee

To QE or Not to QE

Kat — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 07:40:55 GMT

To QE or Not to QE Katherine Blackler The Bank of England (BoE) is contemplating calling a halt to Quantitative Easing (QE), news of which may fill many pension funds with relief. However, recent statistics have lead to warnings that by scrapping QE the bank risks seeming out of touch, writes Katherine B

The Eye of the Tiger

Kat — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 04:50:49 GMT

The Eye of the Tiger Graham Simons Tomorrow and retirement seems to be an awfully long way off if you are from Generation X or Generation Y, but how can governments address Europe’s longevity issues without alienating the Baby Boomer segment of the electorate, writes Graham Simons.

Captain Hindsight

Kat — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 04:50:52 GMT

Captain Hindsight Graham Simons 5 March 2012 (PLANSPONSOR Europe) - Latest reports involving the scandal enveloping Japanese asset management firm AIJ Investment Advisors, which invested money on behalf of pension funds, suggest it has managed to lose 100bn y en in investments over the past three years.

Clare Short

Tara — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:23:18 GMT

Clare Short Investment companies acting on behalf of pension funds need to encourage responsible behaviour to secure both “morally preferable” and safer investments, former Labour MP and Chair of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Board Clare Short told PLANSPONSOR Europe . Short wa

Brandon Lewis

Tara — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:56:09 GMT

Brandon Lewis The UK pensions industry needs to establish its own voluntary code of conduct to ensure better transparency on pension charges to rebuild trust with the consumer, Brandon Lewis, Work and Pensions Select Committee Member told PLANSPONSOR Europe . Speaking at the National Association of Pen

Long Term v Short Term Thinking

Kat — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:47:07 GMT

Long Term v Short Term Thinking Graham Simons 31 January 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – How can you prepare for the future when the problem you need to deal with long term is afflicting you short term as well? Does anyone remember the 1980s film the Karate Kid? Not the update starring Wil

Your 2012 Astrological Pensions Predictions

Graham — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 01:05:37 GMT

Your 2012 Astrological Pensions Predictions PLANSPONSOREurope Staff 30 December 2011 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) - Want to know what 2012 has in store for you? – well you won’t find out here. Here’s PLANSPONSOR Europe’s totally made up astrological predictions for the year ahead! Aries Time

William De Vijilder

Graham — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:35:49 GMT

William De Vijilder Investors need to gradually get ready for a return of confidence due to a commitment to tighter governance from EU leaders, according to William De Vijilder, CIO, Strategy and Partners at BNP Paribas Investment Partners. De Vijilder spoke to PLANSPONSOR Europe following the EU le

Making Unions an Offer They Cannot Refuse

Kat — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:32:15 GMT

Making Unions an Offer They Cannot Refuse Graham Simons The UK government’s attempt to make unions an ‘offer they cannot refuse’ have been firmly rebuffed resulting last week in thousands of public sector workers downing tools and joining national strikes, says PSE News Editor Graham Simons.

Unisons John Burgess

Kat — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:25:06 GMT

Unison’s John Burgess Public sector pensions need to be protected, not just because of the meaningful contribution public sector workers make to the UK economy as tax payers, according to UK union Unison’s John Burgess. Burgess took time at this week’s public sector protests over pensions to talk to

David Lloyd

Tara — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:36:11 GMT

David Lloyd As Europe wrestles with sovereign debt, volatility in markets is inevitable, but this throws up investment opportunities for patient investors, according to David Lloyd, Head of Institutional Portfolio Management at M&G Investments. Lloyd took time at a M&G Investments Fixed In

Patrick Burke

Tara — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:10:46 GMT

Patrick Burke, Chairman, European Federation for Retirement Provision (EFRP) and Director Investment Development, Irish Life Investment Managers. The European Commission’s review of the European IORP Directive needs to get the balance right in its focus on the sustainability as well as security of pensio

The Surrender of Sovereignty

Kat — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 01:19:04 GMT

The Surrender of Sovereignty? Graham Simons The latest addition to the PLANSPONSOR Europe team, News Editor Graham Simons, shares his thoughts on the latest developments in the European sovereign debt crisis. "So this is how liberty dies: With thunderous applause." No, not the wor

Mobile Working

Kat — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:17:06 GMT

Mobile Working? Katherine Blackler With Blackberry service going down for three days at the last count for the whole of Europe, the PLANSPONSOR Europe team has been struggling to get used to a working life without internet and email on the go. From the reaction from many of our team membe

Anne Maher

jigar — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 05:53:40 GMT

Anne Maher Get a sneak peek at what Anne Mather, Non-Executive Director, Irish Airlines Pensions will discuss at the inaugural PLANSPONSOR European Conference, which will be held in the Hotel Arts in Barcelona, Spain on 25-26 October. Click here to view more information and register for the confe

Here Come the Russians

Kat — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 06:48:59 GMT

Here Come the Russians Katherine Blackler Rumours abound the asset management circles this month with rumored discussions between Russian investment groups looking to get a slice of the European pensions investment pie and London-based asset managers. The team here at PLANSPONSOR Europe ha

Come Join Us in Barcelona

Kat — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 06:04:03 GMT

Come Join Us in Barcelona Katherine Blackler The team here at PLANSPONSOR Europe have been busy organizing our PLANSPONSOR European Pensions Conference in October before everyone disappears for summer holidays. The inaugural PLANSPONSOR European Conference, to be held in the luxurious Hote

Are Plan Sponsors an Afterthought?

Kat — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 03:45:16 GMT

Are Plan Sponsors an Afterthought? Katherine Blackler Atkin & Co, a UK pension scheme administrator and actuarial consultant, has called for the pensions industry to refocus its attention on the sponsoring employers of pension schemes and how their needs differ from those of the Trustee board, a mess

London Bridges

Kat — Tue, 31 May 2011 04:44:30 GMT

London Bridges Nevin E. Adams A guest blog from Global Editor-in-Chief Nevin Adams on his visit to London and an American view of Europe. I was in London for a few days last week, and while it afforded a good opportunity to visit with a number of providers in the European retirement plan m

Equitable Life Victims Latest to be hit with UK Austerity Cuts

Kat — Tue, 31 May 2011 06:26:06 GMT

Equitable Life Victims Latest to be hit with UK Austerity Cuts Katherine Blackler There has been much news coverage surrounding the cuts to public pensions and changes to retirement ages as part of austerity measures following the financial crisis however some pensioners are to be hit by the cuts in anot

PLANSPONSOR Europe launches PSE Dash

Kat — Tue, 31 May 2011 06:29:49 GMT

PLANSPONSOR Europe launches PSE Dash PLANSPONSOREurope Staff Following popular demand, the team here at PLANSPONSOR Europe have launched a weekly news, events, video and people moves update email. The emails, sent mid-week, will cover all things pensions, benefits and investments as well

A New Year and a New Regulator

Kat — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 05:54:24 GMT

A New Year and a New Regulator Katherine Blackler So another year starts in the world of European Pensions and today brings the first meeting of the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA.) The official role of this regulator will be to co-ordinate with the various E

Happy Christmas from PLANSPONSOR Europe

Kat — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 05:58:39 GMT

Happy Christmas from PLANSPONSOR Europe PLANSPONSOREurope Staff Christmas is fast approaching and the team at PSE are enjoying a little Christmas cheer today by decorating the London office. All the Christmas festivities have put us in a creative mood so here’s a little something for you, our lov

Interview with PensionDCisions

Ellie — Tue, 18 May 2010 10:56:51 GMT

Graham Mannion, managing director of PensionDCisions, discusses the firm’s 2010 UK Sponsor Default Survey. The research found some interesting differences between U.S. and U.K. strategies.