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DC innovation chart rundown - 2011
Pensions Week - 19 December 2011
Philip Smith praises Dimensional's introduction of tailored DC funds as the most innovative approach of 2011.
Are equities still the bedrock of DC investment strategy?
Professional Pensions - 15 December 2011
Simon Hill promotes calm in the face of investment volatility.
Making the most of employee wellbeing initiatives
Personnel Today - 12 December 2011
Buck's employee wellness research was quoted in an article about wellbeing.
Read more about employee wellbeing.
Governing concerns
Money Marketing - 1 December 2011
Philip Smith comments on governance in the face of pensions reform legislation.
Read more about pensions governance.
Pensions: Will you live long enough to retire?
Citywire - 30 November 2011
Fraser Smart comments on the Government's raising of the state pension age, "This is a necessary step towards getting the system back on balance".
Read more about the increase in state pension age.
Auto-enrolment for small firms put back to May 2015
Money Marketing - 28 November 2011
Fraser Smart comments on the delay in auto-enrolment legislation for small businesses saying "it calls into question the Government's commitment to putting a fair and adequate solution in place".
Read more about auto-enrolment for small businesses.
'Mixed signal' on auto-enrolment delay
FT Advisor- 28 November 2011
As the Government announces a delay in auto-enrolment staging dates for small businesses, Fraser Smart warns that "moving the goal posts at “this crucial stage” creates a mood of uncertainty and sends “mixed signals”.
UK bonds a safer bet than bunds
City AM - 25 November 2011
Simon Hill warned against over-reacting in the face of the eurozone crisis.
Read more about the impact of bonds and gilts on the eurozone.
PP launches DC default campaign
Professional Pensions - 24 November 2011
Kevin LeGrand highlights the importance of good outcomes for people with Defined Contribution pension schemes in the face of pension reform and auto-enrolment.
Read more about Professional Pensions' Campaign for Better DC Default Options.
Making plans for an ageing workforce
The Guardian - 22 November 2011
Chris Evans is featured in an article about employee benefits for an ageing workforce, "How much an employer invests over and beyond 'standard' is the key question, but targeted benefits that help detect or mitigate health problems are likely to generate the greatest engagement."
Read more about employee benefits for an ageing workforce.
Employee Healthcare - Do you measure up?
IFA Online - 10 November 2011
Buck's Global Wellness Survey was featured in an article about employee healthcare standards.
Read more about employee healthcare.
Berlusconi: On the brink
City AM - 8 November 2011
Simon Hill comments on the Eurozone crisis as yields on Italian bonds soar, "The European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) needs to be a lot bigger to convince investors that it can withstand an Italian default, and it also needs to make clear where its funding will come from".
Read more about the Eurozone crisis.
Self-help is engaging
Money Marketing - 3 November 2011
Chris Evans warns of problems with volatility in an article about self-funding healthcare solutions.
Read more about the self-funded healthcare.
A tipping point for IPT
Money Marketing - 3 November 2011
Chris Evans emphasises the importance of employers making sufficient provision for employees in an article about the possible increase in insurance premium tax.
Read more about the implications of an increase in insurance premium tax.
Industry responds to revised public sector pension proposals
Pensions Age - 3 November 2011
Fraser Smart comments on the revised public sector pensions proposals, "the measures are designed to protect the less well paid and ease the hit on those closest to retirement, whilst maintaining pensions at a level that is still far better than the private sector."
Read more about public sector pension reform.
Nest enrolment guidelines launched
Money News - 2 November 2011
Fraser Smart's interview on the BBC Wake Up to Money programme about the switch from RPI to CPI was featured on the Money News website with reference to the impact on savers in light of Nest auto-enrolment guidelines.
Read more about the switch from RPI to CPI.
Fraser Smart featured again on BBC News about uprating of pensions by CPI instead of RPI
BBC News - 2 November 2011
Fraser Smart is featured on BBC News discussing the implications of the government’s switch of inflation measures for up-rating public sector pensions from RPI to CPI.
Click here to watch the video.
Fraser Smart interviewed again by Radio 5 Live about uprating of pensions by CPI instead of RPI
BBC Radio 5, Breakfast, 2 November 2011
Fraser Smart interviewed live on the flagship daily money programme about the reasons behind the switch from RPI to CPI and impact on public sector pension sector schemes.
Click here to listen to the interview.
The careerist: Choosing the wrong job
The Financial Times - 30 October 2011
Fraser Smart contributes to a feature on what to do if you realise your new job is not for you. Tips include asking for an extention of the probationary period and being honest with other prospective employers about short stints on your CV.
Healthcare: A firm of healthy employees
The Actuary - 27 October 2011
Mike Tyler discusses the theories concerning theemployee health risk.
Read more about employee health and wellness.
RPI to CPI shift 'will have massive pensions impact'
Money News - 26 October 2011
Fraser Smart's interview on the BBC Wake Up to Money programme about the switch from RPI to CPI was featured on the Money News website.
Read more about the switch from RPI to CPI.
Pension rights to be squeezed by 25%?
Prudential - 26 October 2011
Fraser Smart's interview on the BBC Wake Up to Money programme about the switch from RPI to CPI was featured on the Prudential website.
Read more about the switch from RPI to CPI.
Switch to RPI could have severe impact on pensioners, expert warns
Thompson Online Benefits - 26 October 2011
Fraser Smart's interview on the BBC Wake Up to Money programme about the switch from RPI to CPI was featured on the Thompson Online Benefits website.
Read more about the switch from RPI to CPI.
Fraser Smart interviewed by BBC about uprating of pensions by CPI instead of RPI
BBC News - 26 October 2011
Fraser Smart is featured on BBC News discussing the implications of the government’s switch of inflation measures for up-rating public sector pensions from RPI to CPI.
Click here to watch the video.
Fraser Smart interviewed by Radio 5 Live about uprating of pensions by CPI instead of RPI
BBC Radio 5, Wake Up To Money - 26 October 2011
Fraser Smart interviewed live on the flagship daily money programme about the reasons behind the switch from RPI to CPI and the difference that 1% makes to members of private sector schemes.
Click here to listen to the interview.
Pensions and Isas hit as Osborne moves goalposts
The Sunday Times - 23 October 2011
Fraser Smart comments on the switch of inflation measures for up-rating public sector pensions from RPI to CPI, "the move will reduce the total amount paid to the estimated 12m receiving basic state pension in 2012-13 by about £250m".
Read more about the switch from RPI to CPI.
Pensions: Age concern
The Financial Times - 18 October 2011
Fraser Smart comments on the increase of the state pension age, warning that "The dramatic increase in projected life expectancy should demonstrate that people will need even more income to sustain a longer retirement. However, as retirement ages are pushed back, the danger is that the opposite occurs, and people use it as an excuse to further delay the process of pension saving.”
Read more about the raising of the state pension age.
Should you take cash to quit your pension?
The Scotsman on Sunday - 16 October 2011
Fraser Smart warns that many schemes will be forced to close their final salary pension schemes as a result of falling equity market values and the increase in liabilities as a result of falling gilt yields.
Read more about leaving final salary pension schemes.
The Big Question: Should employers provide healthcare perks for older workers?
Employee Benefits - 26 September 2011
Chris Evans stresses the importance of relevant employee benefits for older staff.
Read more about employee benefits for older workers.
Newly-retired teachers £8,000 worse off as pension cuts bite
The Guardian - 7 October 2011
Fraser Smart comments on the switch of inflation measures for up-rating public sector pensions from RPI to CPI stating that someone at retirement is "likely to lose 10%-12% of income over their lifetime".
Read more about the switch from RPI to CPI.
HCA buys Roodlane - reaction
Health Insurance & Protection - 4 October 2011
John Howard comments on the HCA/Roodlane deal, "Patients will probably be happy, but corporates might not like the extra cost."
Read more about the purchase of Roodlane by HCA.
De-Risking: Are you in or out?
PMI News - 4 October 2011
Jean-Francois Tondreau discusses the pros and cons of internal and external de-risking methods in the Pensions Management Institute magazine.
Read more about successful pension scheme de-risking.
Direct and to the point
Engaged Investor - 1 October 2011
Steve White discusses Buck's alterantive approach to fiduciary management - Directed Consulting.
Read more about Directed Consulting.
Running the Fund: Damage Control
Plan Sponsor - 27 September 2011
Steven White comments on the importance of due diligence in order to reduce risk during pension fund transitions.
Read more about reducing risk during pension fund transistions.
Trustees flustered over the right way to manage risk
Pensions News - 26 September 2011
Simon Hill comments on investment misconceptions specifically inflation rates over the next 12 months.
Funds must act now to prepare for gains
Pensions News - 26 September 2011
Bobby Riddaway advises a cautious approach to investment in the face of volatile markets.
Compulsion in five years if auto-enrolment fails
Professional Pensions - 21 September 2011
Kevin Legrand praises positive developments of auto-enrolment
Read more about pension reform and auto-enrolment.
Employee debt to prompt benefit expansion
Professional Pensions - 21 September 2011
Dominic Holmes predicts a "sea level change" in employer benefit provision resulting from increased employee debt
Read more about employee benefit expansion.
Workers in the dark on pensions
The Sunday Telegraph - 18 September 2011
Fraser Smart comments on the lack of awareness workers have over what their pension might provide, "many workers assumed that because they contributed to a pension, they would be OK. But most don't have any idea what they can expect to get out of these schemes."
Read more about Pension Scheme funding and employee engagement.
In the balance
fundweb - 12 September 2011
Sean Glasgow is quoted on the use of hedging as part of a risk management strategy.
Read more about hedging as part of risk management.
Buck ramps up investment advisory service
Financial News - 12 September 2011
Bobby Riddaway from Buck Global Investment Advisors was featured in an article by Financial News about the launch of Buck's new Directed Consulting offering. This new service is an alternative to fiduciary management, and is an asset management service where the provider has some discretionary power over strategic investment decisions. TUC report on soaring value of FTSE 100 directors' pensions, provokes strong reaction from industry experts
HR Magazine - 7 September 2011
Fraser Smart is quoted in an article that comments on the TUC report on the value of Director's pensions. "The real issue is the decline in the level of provision for "ordinary" employees, spurred on by the introduction of auto-enrolment, efforts should be focused on the benefits people are building up today for the future and helping employers to reach solutions that allow all their employees to retire with sufficient provision at a time that is mutually convenient to both parties."
Read more about Director's defined benefit pensions schemes. Savings potential from lower life expectancy
The Scotsman - 6 September 2011
Fraser Smart is quoted in an article about Scottish employers reducing pensions costs by exploiting the country's lower life expectancy rates. "There is interest in it among Scottish schemes because of the belief that their members' life expectancy is lower. I don't think it is the entire answer but it's definitely worth schemes looking at it."
Read more about Scottish employers reducing pension costs. Decline and fall?
Corporate Advisor - 1 September 2011
Fraser Smart is quoted in an article about asset allocation following the recent credit downgrade. "The downgrade of the US economy on other markets will undoubtedly give trustees and sponsors a lot to think about for planning their long term strategies."
Read more about asset alloaction. Workplace Retirement Income Commission announces results
Pensions Insight - 1 September 2011
Fraser Smart comments on the Workplace Retirement Income Commission's latest report."Building trust for savers is crucial, and steps to improve transparency, stability and strength of pension provision should help to achieve a more pensions-positive landscape."
Read more about the Workplace Retirement Income Commission report. My word is my bond
Pensions Insight - 1 September 2011
Bobby Riddaway comments on high yield bonds as an investment strategy
Read more about high yield bonds. UK pension funds face inflation-linked headache
Financial News - 26 August 2011
Steven White from Buck Global Investment Advisors was featured in an article by Financial News about the demand for safe haven assets causing problesm for pension funds' investment strategies, "yields on UK Government bonds have indeed fallen to historic lows amidst the 'flight to quality' over the last few weeks". UK pension scheme funding sees 10% drop
FT Advisor - 25 August 2011
Buck Consultants' research showing that company pension schemes have lost £100bn in 10 days of falling share prices was featured in a FT Advisor article about pension funding. Employee apathy threatens to derail pensions auto-enrolment
HR Magazine - 19 August 2011
Girish Menezes is featured in an HR Magazine article about the challenge of making pensions valuable to employees as the deadline for auto-enrolment approaches.
Read more about employee apathy and auto-enrolment. Diversification of growth assets essential
Pensions Age - 16 August 2011
Buck Consultants' research showing that company pension schemes have lost £100bn in 10 days of falling share prices was featured in a Pensions Age article about the importance of pension schemes diversifying their growth assets in order to fight stock market volatility. Fraser Smart said "trustees should be preparing to rebalance their portfolios back into equities to align with strategic targets". Billions shed from pension funds by plummeting equity stocks
City AM - 15 August 2011
Buck Consultants' research showing that company pension schemes have lost £100bn in 10 days of falling share prices was featured in a City AM, "The collapse in equity markets early last week is a more meaningful retrenchment and not a short term correction". What the suburbs and the city have in common
Financial Times - 12 August 2011
Buck Consultants' research showing that company pension schemes have lost £100bn in 10 days of falling share prices was featured in a Financial Times article analysing the absence of leadership in communites, government and investment firms. IFA sets up auto-enrolment team
FT Advisor - 11 August 2011
Girish Menezes comments on automatic enrolment ahead of the forthcoming pension reforms in 2012. "Employers must educate their financially illiterate workforce about auto-enrolment if the government scheme is to be valued by those who it is intended to help." We ask industry experts for their views on developments in asset allocation
Engaged Investor - 8 August 2011
Simon Hill answers questions about asset allocation for Engaged Investor Magazine.
Read more about asset allocation. SPC confirms Willets as annual dinner speaker
Professional Pensions - 5 August 2011
The Society of Pensions Consultants announce that their president Kevin Legrand will present the SPC Journalist of Year Award at their annual dinner in November. Increased life expectancy figures must serve as a warning for employees to save for retirement
HR Magazine - 5 August 2011
Fraser Smart comments on how lincreased life expectancy affects svaing for retirement. "As people face significantly longer working lives, many may be convinced that they can afford to further delay the process of pension saving."
Read more about how increased life expectancy affects saving for retirement. Private Sector Timebomb
Corporate Advisor - 2 August 2011
Fraser Smart is quoted in an article about private sector pensions, "When default funds are not regularly monitored there is clearly a danger that they underperform if the money is invested in actively managed funds". WRIC report receives mixed response
Pensions Age - 2 August 2011
Fraser Smart and Kevin LeGrand comment on the latest McFall report on the Workplace Retirement Income Commission.
Read more about the WRIC report. Are you saving enough for your retirement?
The Telegraph - 1 August 2011
Fraser Smart is quoted in an article about saving for retirement, "The most common thing I hear is 'I have a pension', with no idea of the likely payout at retirement,"
Read more about saving for retirement. Auto-enrolment in need of workforce interaction
FT Advisor - 28 July 2011
Girish Menezes is quoted in an article about the importance of workforce interaction for the success of auto-enrolment. The outsourcing market is busy
Pensions World - 27 July 2011
Buck is cited as a provider of pension administration services in an article about the increase in demand for such services in recent months.
Read more about outsourcing pension administration. “Live for today” philosophy drives pensions apathy
Engaged Investor - 26 July 2011
Buck's Financial Frontiers report is featured in an article about employee apathy towards saving for retirement.
Read more about employee apathy towards saving for retirement. Distrust Hinders saving ahead of auto-enrolment
Professional Pensions - 26 July 2011
Buck's Financial Frontiers report is featured in an article about employee apathy towards saving for retirement.
Read more about employee apathy towards saving for retirement. Company pensions shock looming over age change
The Sunday Times - 10 July 2011
Kevin Legrand comments on bridging the the gap caused by the increase in pension age in final salary pension schemes. News Analysis: Should Pies be banned?
Employee Benefits - 4 July 2011
Philip Smith comments on the proposed Government crackdown on Enhanced Value Transfer (EVT) and Pension Increase Exercises (PIE). "You would expect a responsible employer to engage an authorised adviser, whether an IFA [independent financial adviser] or some other form of advice".
Read more about the proposed crackdown on EVTs and PIEs. Successful Pension Scheme Investment
PMI News - 4 July 2011
Pension scheme investment continues to evolve as the provision of pensions in the UK continues to change. Elizabeth McBennett discuss the areas now taking more prominence in light of this evolution: matching and diversification, dynamic investment strategies, and governance.
Read more about successful pension scheme investment. Focus switches to active fixed income
Financial Times - 3 July 2011
Bobby Riddaway comments on the awareness of risk that supports the switch from equities to fixed income. Focus switches to active fixed income
Pensions Week - 3 July 2011
Bobby Riddaway is quoted on educating clients on the switch to CPI for measuring pension liabilities. ENGAGEMENT Delivery Service
Pensions World - 1 July 2011
With scheme membership about to explode with auto-enrolment, Girish Menezes, considers the challenges and opportunities of future pensions delivery.
Read more about auto-enrolment and the challenges of future pensions. Consultants Society Counters Regulator Over DC Default
Global Money Management - 21 June 2011
Kevin Legrand comments on The Pensions Regulator's assertion that small employers should join the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST). Wellness pays: how to overcome four common board-level objections
HR Magazine - 16 June 2011
Buck's annual research, Working Well: A Global Survey of Health Promotion and Workplace Wellness Strategies was quoted in an article about global wellness.
Read more about global wellness. Rebranded Consultant Aims For Big Pension Funds
Global Money Management - 16 June 2011
Global Money Management features Bobby Riddaway talking about the future ambitions of Buck Global Investment Advisors. Special focus: Lessons in liability
Pensions Week - 13 June 2011
Buck features in a Pensions Week and schemeXpert.com survey of high-profile UK investment consultancies to discover how attitudes to fixed income have changed in the past three years. Bobby Riddaway states, "The sovereign debt crisis has reinforced the view that government bonds are not a risk-free asset and investment in fixed income carries risks, which should be understood rather than just viewing them as a matching asset." Healthcare: Tastiest Carrot
Employee Benefits Healthcare Supplement - 8 June 2011
Mike Tyler comments on the value of cash incentives verses plan that directly support health and wellbeing. "A lot of employees that offered cash rewards were also finding that any positive results were short lived." Mergers & Acquisitions: Common Factors
Employee Benefits Mergers & Acquisitions Supplement - 8 June 2011
Highlighting the total reward package for new and existing employees can smooth the integration process during a merger. Ben Wells states that "Many organisations adopt a long-term approach, making some changes such as switching benefit providers quite quickly, but looking to harmonise over three to five years." Mergers & Acquisitions: Retaining Key Talent
Employee Benefits Mergers & Acquisitions Supplement - 8 June 2011
Ben Wells discusses the importance of key people for smooth integration, "Identify who is key early on, ideally before the deal takes place. This makes them feel part of the new organisation. If they are ambitious, feeling valued by their new employer can be incredibly positive." Mergers & Acquisitions: Scale Models
Employee Benefits Mergers & Acquisitions Supplement - 8 June 2011
Harmonising pay scales between merged organisations may call for some restructuring to avoid conflicts. Ben Wells suggests that many organisations run a grading system. "We see situations where one company operates a grading system and the other does not. If this happens, we would look to adopt the grading system across the organisation. The worst scenario is where there are two different systems in place." Top 5 reasons employees don't save for retirement - and what HR can do about it
HR Zone - 7 June 2011
HR Zone features the top 5 reasons why people don't save for retirement which forms part of a Buck white paper on how to avoid employee apathy over retirement savings.
Read more about why employees don't save for retirement. Three Strategies for Effective Communication
Pensions Age - 6 June 2011
New Buck research on how to avoid employee apathy over retirement savings is featured in a Pensions Age feature about how to effectively engage employees over saving for a pension.
Read more about effective communication strategies. Diamonds and duds: what will shine and what will fail?
Investments and Pensions Europe - 1 June 2011
Ciaran Mulligan comments on the latest AIMSE International research on the best investment products over the next 3 to 5 years. "While we are always looking for more sophisticated solutions, different pension funds tend to have individual requirements. As a result, there is sometimes a lack of attention given to the more traditional asset classes - equities and fixed income - by the fund management industry, which is still where a significant amount of pension fund money is invested."
Read more about the best future investment products. The worst pension funds in the UK
Lovemoney.com - 31 May 2011
Philip Smith contributes to an article that assesses the worst performing pension funds in the UK and what consumers can do about them.
Read more about the worst performing pension schemes. The big squeeze on benefits
Employee Benefits - 5 May 2011
Rising inflation means reward professionals are trying to extract every drop of value from benefits, Ben Wells states "with pay rises lagging inflation, employees' income is worth less. Employers want to help, especially as this may ensure they retain key staff when the economy picks up, but, with their budgets stretched, it is far from easy."
Read more about inflation's impact on employee benefits. Consultants Society Counters Regulator over DC Default
Global Money Management - 9 May 2011
Kevin LeGrand contributes to an article about the government's National Employment Savings Trust (NEST). "In many cases the smaller the employer the closer the relationship between the employees and the employer. In these situations Group Personal Pensions or Group Stakeholder arrangements are common, where pooled funds enable economies of scale."
Read more about NEST. Pensions: Nested interests
People Management - 1 May 2011
People Management Magazine reviews the new pension reforms quoting Marie Wilkinson "smaller companies are going to have fewer issues than larger ones, because they only have a few people to think about and simplicity will prevail. It’s bigger companies that will have to face much more complexity, particularly those with a high turnover of staff."
Read more about auto-enrolment pension reforms. Pensioners miss out on state benefits
FT.com - April 26 2011
Hundreds and thousands of pensioners are in danger of missing out on more than £20,000 worth of benefits in retirement, as two new studies suggest that they are living longer but failing to claim all the state help and tax breaks available. “Figures from the DWP, revealing that one in six of the population will live to be 100, were meant as a rallying cry for younger people to start planning for retirement,” said Fraser Smart, managing director of Buck Consultants. “In reality, however, the increase in longevity could present a double edged sword scenario for the long-running battle to persuade those at the start of their careers to consider long-term saving."
Read more about pensioners missing out on state benefits in retirement. Over a quarter of under 16s to live to 100
Pensions World - 20 April 2011
The latest statistics from the Department for Work and pensions suggest that 11 million people who are alive today will live to 100 and this will have huge implications for the pensions industry. Fraser Smart comments, "efforts of the Government to move towards a simpler, fairer system with the introduction of the universal flat-rate state pension could go some way to improving sentiment for young people."
Read about how longevity effects pension provisions. BSP changes may cut active member benefits
Professional Pensions - 7 April 2011
The 'devil is in the detail' states Fraser Smart in response to claims that more than one-third of active defined benefit scheme members could see their benefits reduced if a £155 flat-rate state pension is introduced in 2015.
Read more about the impact of a flat-rate state pension on defined benfit pension schemes. "DE-RISKING Pulling together"Pensions World - 1 April 2011
Fraser Smart, Buck Consultants, explains why trustees and sponsors should work together on managing defined benefit liabilities.
Read more about de-risking of defined benefits pension schemes. |