March 2020

COVID19 checklist for pension schemes

As governments and central banks across the world introduce extraordinary measures to limit the damage of this pandemic to both health and the global economy, The Pensions Regulator has urged trustees to have appropriate contingency plans in place to mitigate risks that could have significant consequences for their schemes and members. As such, Buck has launched a checklist aiming to help trustees and employers understand these risks, including actions that can be taken to mitigate them. The checklist...

In Nagoya, scramble for hospital beds shows coronavirus challenge for aging Japan

Hospitals in Nagoya city in Japan's industrial heartland have more coronavirus patients than they can treat, forcing transfers to nearby areas and offering a glimpse of the challenges the outbreak poses for a country with a huge elderly population. Japan has closed schools and canceled public events, which experts say has helped prevent an explosive spread of the virus. But because testing hasn't been widespread, some medical experts say the extent of infection is understated, and a surge could...

Coronavirus: Stocks plunge despite global central bank action

Global stock markets have sunk despite central banks around the world announcing a co-ordinated effort to ease the effects of the coronavirus. London's FTSE 100 index has fallen more than 6%, and other major European markets have seen similar falls. Read also Coronavirus: FTSE 100, Dow, S&P 500 in worst day since 1987 On Sunday, the US Federal Reserve cut interest rates to almost zero and launched a $700bn stimulus programme. Read also COVID19 checklist for pension schemes It was part of co-ordinated action announced alongside...

LGIM to launch its first fossil fuel-free pension fund after pressure

The UK’s biggest fund manager has bowed to client pressure and agreed to launch its first fossil fuel-free ethical pension fund later this year. Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM), which has been one of the most outspoken fund managers over the climate crisis, made the decision after a number of clients raised concerns that stocks such as Shell were still being included in its range of ethical funds. Those clients include PensionBee – an online pension provider that handles £750m-worth...

Coronavirus pushes big Dutch funds back toward pension cuts

The fall in interest rates caused by the global coronavirus outbreak has pushed the Dutch pension fund system back into crisis, with the largest fund, ABP, warning on Monday it would have to cut pensions in 2021 at current solvency levels. ABP, which holds 459 billion euros ($513 billion) in assets for civil servants, said its coverage ratio of assets to liabilities slid to 88.7% in February from 94.1% in January. Read also Dutch pension funds receive billions as additional collateral Lower...

Inquiry Alleges ‘Substantial Impropriety’ at South Africa’s Public Investment Corp.

A judicial inquiry in South Africa recommended sweeping changes to laws governing Africa’s biggest fund manager after it found senior management, including former Chief Executive Officer Dan Matjila, flouted internal procedures. The investigation, led by retired Judge Lex Mpati, concluded there had been “substantial impropriety” at the state-owned Public Investment Corp., which manages 2.13 trilllion rand ($130 billion) of state-employee pension funds. It found that the board had acted as a “rubber stamp” for Matjila, who failed to disclose...

Coronavirus: FTSE 100, Dow, S&P 500 in worst day since 1987

The main UK index dropped more than 10% in its worst day since 1987. In the US, the Dow and S&P 500 were also hit by their steepest daily falls since 1987. The declines came despite actions by the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank to ease financial strains. At the start of US trading, plummeting shares triggered an unusual automatic suspension in trading for the second time this week. When trade resumed 15 minutes later, shares continued to...

Japan’s GPIF, World’s Largest Pension Fund, Joins U.S., U.K. Funds to Adopt Sustainability Practices

Pension funds representing about $2 trillion in assets under management are committing to sustainability investing The move brings some of the world’s largest asset owners into the ESG movement, joining fund managers, companies and governments Pension funds’ ESG commitment highlights focus on the long term even during the current market meltdown due to coronavirus Three of the world’s largest pension funds are taking a $2 trillion stand in favor of sustainability investing. Read also Climate risk body launches...

Climate risk body launches consultation for pension schemes

The UK-based Pensions Climate Risk Industry Group (PCRIG) has launched a public consultation on non-statutory guidance for the trustees of occupational pension schemes on assessing, managing and reporting climate-related risks. PCRIG was set up last summer by the UK’s Department of Work and Pensions and other government departments to develop industry-wide guidance for pension scheme trustees on climate-related risks and voluntary alignment with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). European investors “not yet pricing...

​Swedish Pensions Agency sees need for new pension savings scheme

The Swedish Pensions Agency (Pensionsmyndigheten) says it sees a need for a new type of private pension savings scheme, as some sections of the population should be putting more money away for retirement. In a report investigating this proposal, the authority said while the financial need for increased savings seemed to be low for most people in Sweden, there were nevertheless groups that needed to save more for their pensions. The agency said in a statement: “A private pension savings...