July 2020

21Jul

UK. Cybercrime and Pensions Administration

In 2019, cybercrime and fraud constituted 42% of all criminal activity. With the advances in technology the whole of society is experiencing, its no surprise that crime is evolving too.. We need to be alive to the fact pension schemes and administration providers are attractive to cybercriminals. Partly because of all the personal data processed but also because of the importance of ensuring pension payments continue uninterrupted, as well as the potential of ransomware attacks. Information released by the...

July 21, 2020
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17Jul

Public sector pension discrimination could cost UK taxpayer £17bn

The government has revealed it faces a £17bn bill for tackling “unlawful” age discrimination in public sector pensions, with 3 million people set to benefit by an average of more than £5,600 each. While the announcement spells good news for many teachers, nurses, police officers, firefighters and civil servants, commentators said the huge bill could not have come at a worse time and would almost certainly have to be financed through cuts in spending or higher taxes. Taxpayers are...

July 17, 2020
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16Jul

UK. Govt’s ‘landmark’ pensions bill proceeds to Commons

The Pension Schemes Bill, which includes rules for pension dashboards and new powers for the Pensions Regulator, has cleared its first hurdle in the House of Lords. Read also UK. Does benchmarking DB transfers against a workplace pension make sense? The bill, originally announced in the October Queen’s Speech, will now pass into the House of Commons where MPs will debate its measures before it receives Royal Assent and is written into law. Read also UK. Proposed Legislation for Losses...

July 16, 2020
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14Jul

UK. Does benchmarking DB transfers against a workplace pension make sense?

Under new rules to be introduced from 1st October, IFAs who are recommending a transfer out of a DB pension will need to benchmark the proposed destination for the funds against a low-cost workplace pension. But many of these workplace pensions were designed for automatic enrolment and regular contributions by active members rather than large transfers in from Defined Benefit (DB) pension schemes by members approaching retirement. New analysis from consultants LCP based on a survey of master trusts...

July 14, 2020
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14Jul

UK. Proposed Legislation for Losses from COVID-19 and Limitations on the Retroactive Impairment of Contracts

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused most businesses to temporarily close and, as a result, sustain significant losses. Various states are contemplating the passage of legislation to require carriers to cover claims arising from COVID-19, but case law regarding the constitutionality of such legislation is conflicting. Depending on the facts surrounding retroactive legislation, states may be able to pass an enforceable law leading to coverage. Pennsylvania’s Proposed Legislation for Business Interruption Losses Pennsylvania is one of many states that has...

July 14, 2020
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10Jul

Financial System Requirements for Successful Pension Reform

By David P. Blake This paper examines the financial system prerequisites needed for the successful delivery of funded private pensions. In particular, it examines the financial instruments and investment strategies required during both the accumulation and decumulation stages. It does so within the context of a specific developed economy with a mature pension system, namely the United Kingdom. The lessons learned can help to inform the debate in developing countries that are in the process of undertaking pension reform....

July 10, 2020
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09Jul

Banks and pension funds among investors bankrolling meat and dairy

Banks, investors and pension funds have poured billions into the world’s largest meat and dairy companies over the past five years, a new report has found. It compares the environmental impact of “‘big ag” to that of big oil. The report, published on Thursday, said private financial backing for the world’s 35 largest meat and dairy companies totalled an estimated $478bn (£380bn) between January 2015 and 30 April this year. The financing came in the form of loans, bonds...

July 9, 2020
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09Jul

PRTs could help plug UK infrastructure ‘mega-gap’ – L&G

Insurers and other pension risk transfer (PRT) providers are "ready" to invest up to £190bn of pension money into UK infrastructure over the next decade, analysis by Legal & General (L&G) has found. This would plug almost a fifth of the UK’s infrastructure funding “mega-gap”, which, according to the firm, is likely to be as much as £1trn as regions across the UK "call out for greater investment to support our society’s needs”. The report, The power of pensions:...

July 9, 2020
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07Jul

The coronavirus crisis is pushing 13 UK universities towards insolvency, study says

Social distancing measures, travel restrictions and lockdowns have tested the ability of universities to survive without students. The institutions at higher risk of collapse are those with a large share of international students and those with significant pension obligations, the IFS said. Thirteen universities, or colleges, in the U.K. are at risk of going bankrupt as the coronavirus pandemic hits their finances and challenges the entire sector, a study by Institute for Fiscal Studies warned Monday. Social distancing...

July 7, 2020
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03Jul

UK. Pension funds covering £3trn pressured on fossil fuel investments and net-zero alignment

Called ‘Make My Money Matter’, the campaign’s overarching ambition is to fundamentally shift the way in which the UK’s £3trn pension pot is invested, uniting consumers, employers and policy to do so. Through a string of communications campaigns and events, the campaign will urge employers to align their pension with their missions and values, equipping staff with advice on engaging their employer, and executives with tools to measure whether their pension funds have a positive impact on the environment...

July 3, 2020
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