Always a Pensions Angle

By DG PublishingBusiness News Investing

Always a Pensions Angle episodes

July 23, 2019 The future of trusteeship
Is there a big difference in governance standards between boards with a professional trustee and boards without? Should lay trustees have to demonstrate how they have acquired a minimum level of knowledge and understanding? And what can be done to increase diversity on boards? In this episode, Laura Andrikopoulos, head of governance consulting at Hymans Robertson, discusses some of the Pensions Regulator's 'Future of trusteeship and governance' consultation proposals, and what impact they might have on the industry.
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8 min
July 10, 2019 What the firefighters' and judges' case means for pensions policy
The government was recently denied leave to appeal a Court of Appeal ruling that pension changes discriminated against younger firefighters and judges. What does this mean for government policy regarding public sector pensions? And how could the issue spill over into private sector pensions? In this episode, Rosalind Connor, partner at Arc Pensions Law, discusses the far-reaching implications of this landmark case.
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7 min
June 26, 2019 Putting a stop to unsuitable defined benefit transfer advice
The Financial Conduct Authority recently expressed concern that too much of the defined benefit transfer advice it has seen to date is still not of an acceptable standard. In this podcast, Tom Selby, senior analyst at AJ Bell, and Bob Scott, senior partner at LCP, talk about the impact of increased regulatory scrutiny of transfer advice, the need for DB flexibility, and how schemes and employers can help members by appointing a dedicated independent financial adviser to their scheme.
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10 min
June 13, 2019 How will investment pathways help consumers?
In January, the Financial Conduct Authority launched its consultation on investment pathways and other proposed changes to its rules and guidance. The consultation closed in April and the watchdog plans to publish its final rules and guidance in July. In this podcast, Jonathan Parker, director of DC and financial well-being consulting at Redington, discusses how investment pathways will help savers make more appropriate choices, and explains why smaller providers should not be exempt from the proposed regulations.
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5 min
June 07, 2019 Are you doing enough to engage scheme members?
While technology is helping improve pensions communications across the industry, several challenges remain. In this PE podcast, Shola Salako, trustee representative at Dalriada Trustees, and Rhys Williams, strategy director at communications consultancy Quietroom, discuss the different ways in which schemes and providers can engage with members, and where they might be going wrong.
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7 min
April 02, 2019 Is LGPS governance up to scratch?
From asset pooling and actuarial valuations, to administration and data, local government pension schemes have a lot to think about this year – meaning good governance is more important than ever. In this podcast episode, Kirsty Bartlett, partner at law firm Squire Patton Boggs, and Ian Colvin, head of LGPS benefits and governance at Hymans Robertson, discuss potential conflicts of interest, pressure on fund resources and the importance of focusing on administration.
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10 min
March 19, 2019 How to select the right master trust
Master trusts have until the end of March to complete their applications to the Pensions Regulator for authorisation. In this PE podcast episode, Ian McQuade, director at Muse Advisory, discusses master trust selection and how the watchdog's authorisation and supervision regime will change the market.

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8 min
March 11, 2019 Improving the quality of professional trustees
Last month, the Professional Trustee Standards Working Group published a set of new standards, which all professional trustees will be expected to meet. The group is also due to launch an associated accreditation framework later this year. In this episode of the PE podcast, Rachel Croft, director at Independent Trustee Services, explains what these new standards mean for schemes, how they will improve professional trustee quality, and whether increasing professionalisation and rising workloads could lead to the extinction of the lay trustee.
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7 min
February 12, 2019 How to approach the bulk annuity market
2019 is predicted to break last year's record for bulk annuity deals. But with insurers being more selective, experts have stressed the need for defined benefit pension scheme trustees to make sure they are well prepared before approaching the market. In this episode, Marian Elliott, head of integrated actuarial at consultancy Redington, discusses the main drivers behind increased derisking activity in recent years, and explains how pension funds should prepare for transactions.
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5 min
January 24, 2019 ESG: Trustee investment duties explained
New regulations coming into force this year mean pension schemes will be required to publish more-detailed statements of investment principles. These will address financially material environmental, social and governance risks, such as climate change. In this episode, Stuart O'Brien, a partner at law firm Sackers, discusses recent ESG-related developments, the danger of conflating ethical matters with ESG considerations, and explains how schemes can respond to member and pressure group queries.
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12 min