PLANSPONSOREurope.com

NAPF Wants Red Tape Challenge Input

Graham — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:59:14 GMT

NAPF Wants Red Tape Challenge Input 7 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – The UK’s National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF) has urged the country’s pension industry to help highlight and overhaul unnecessary legislation for the government’s ‘Red Tape Challenge’. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@p

EFRP Warns of Disproportionate Impact on Pension Funds of Financial Transaction Tax

Graham — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:53:39 GMT

EFRP Warns of Disproportionate Impact on Pension Funds of Financial Transaction Tax 7 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – The proposed European Financial Transaction Tax would “disproportionately” impact pension funds and IORPs, according to the European Federation for Retirement Provision (EFRP). PLANSPO

Extending Swedish Retirement Age to 75 Would Be Increase too Far

Graham — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:06:17 GMT

Extending Swedish Retirement Age to 75 Would Be Increase too Far 7 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) - Extending the Swedish retirement age to 75 would be an increase too far, Arne Paulsson pension expert at Swedish pension agency Pensions Myndigheten has told PLANSPONSOR Europe PLANSPONSOREurope Staff

Listed Property Market Dividend Yields Remain Consistent

Graham — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:41:42 GMT

Listed Property Market Dividend Yields Remain Consistent 7 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) - High investor demand for dividend yield, against a background of weak equity markets and low interest rates, can be met by income flows from European listed property companies, particularly REITs, according to rese

Significant Risks Ahead for UK DB Schemes

Graham — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:39:49 GMT

Significant Risks Ahead for UK DB Schemes 7 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) - UK defined benefit pension schemes may face “significant” risks in the first few months of 2012. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com Risks highlighted include a third round of Quantitative Ea

Almost a Third Could Opt Out Of Auto-Enrolment

Graham — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:58:15 GMT

Almost a Third Could Opt Out Of Auto-Enrolment 6 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) - More than half of corporate financial advisers think almost a third (30%) of UK workers could opt out of the government’s new auto-enrolment regulations due to be introduced from October 2012, according to research from Aviv

Lack of Appetite for Risk Investment is Worrying

Graham — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:25:32 GMT

Lack of Appetite for Risk Investment is Worrying 6 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) - UK consumers are demonstrating a “worrying” lack of appetite for investment in risk, according to Mike Morrison, head of pensions development, AXA Wealth. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com

EC Pensions White Paper To Be Published Next Week

Graham — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:33 GMT

EC Pensions White Paper To Be Published Next Week 6 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) - The European Commission has told PLANSPONSOR Europe that it will publish its White Paper on pensions next week. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com The White Paper, which builds on the

Strategic Partnership for SVM Asset Management and Level E Capita

Graham — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:29:28 GMT

Strategic Partnership for SVM Asset Management and Level E Capita 6 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) –SVM Asset Management has launched a strategic partnership with Level E Capital. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com SVM Asset Management has made a “significant” level o

PPF Seeks Farmland and Timberland Investment Managers

Graham — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:51:17 GMT

PPF Seeks Farmland and Timberland Investment Managers 6 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) –The UK's Pension Protection Fund (PPF) is to recruit specialist farmland and timberland investment managers. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com The PPF says it is seeking a panel o

BT Reinforces Commitment to Paying Down Pensions Deficit

Graham — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:03:04 GMT

BT Reinforces Commitment to Paying Down Pensions Deficit 3 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – UK telecommunications firm BT has reiterated its commitment to paying down its pension deficit following Q3 results which revealed the market value of its pension scheme assets has decreased by £1.2bn since 31 Marc

Ryanair Threatens Legal Action over Pension Changes

Graham — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:32:47 GMT

Ryanair Threatens Legal Action over Pension Changes 3 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – Ryanair has announced it intends to sue Aer Lingus to stop it making changes to its pension scheme without shareholder approval. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com In an open letter

Dutch Retirement Average Retirement Age Rise Spectacularly

Graham — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:34:45 GMT

Dutch Retirement Average Retirement Age Rise Spectacularly 3 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) –The average retirement age in the Netherlands has risen “spectacularly” since 2006 to around 63, home affairs minister Henk Kamp has told MPs, according to reports. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@planspons

UK Retirees Face Overwhelming Obstacles To Best Deals

Graham — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:59:16 GMT

UK Retirees Face Overwhelming Obstacles To Best Deals 4 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – Half a million UK retirees are being short-changed to the tune of up to £1bn from their total future pension income due to overwhelming obstacles preventing them getting the best deal, according to a joint report by t

Caution Urged on Government Bonds

Graham — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:54:10 GMT

Caution Urged on Government Bonds 2 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – While January proved to be a good month for government bonds J.P. Morgan urges caution longer term, according to Nick Gartside, International Chief Investment Officer for Global Fixed Income. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansp

Barnett Waddingham, Hires Senior Partner

Graham — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:51:59 GMT

Barnett Waddingham Hires Senior Partner 2 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – Barnett Waddingham has appointed Nick Salter as Senior Partner. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com Adrian Waddingham, who has held the position for the last six years, will step down on 31 M

Return on Investments Falls for Finnish Pension Fund

Graham — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:08:38 GMT

Return on Investments Falls for Finnish Pension Fund 2 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – Finnish pension fund Keva has recorded a -1.7% return on investments in 2011, down from 12.3% in 2010, according to preliminary information. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com The

Quality Communication More Important Than Financial Advice When Offering ETVs

Graham — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:15:22 GMT

Quality Communication More Important Than Financial Advice When Offering ETVs 2 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – The quality of communication to pension scheme members may be more important than providing financial advice when offering Enhanced Transfer Values (ETVs), according to Atkin & Co. PLANS

ABP Cuts Participants Pensions

Graham — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:17:33 GMT

ABP Cuts Participants Pensions 2 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – ABP is to cut participants’ pensions for retirees and active scheme members by 0.5% from April 2013. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com The Dutch pension fund says it hopes the measure will lead to an

UK Consultation on GMP Equalisation is Unnecessary Diversion

Graham — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:29:10 GMT

UK Consultation on GMP Equalisation is Unnecessary Diversion 2 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – The UK government’s consultation on equalising pensions for the effect of Guaranteed Minimum Pensions is an unnecessary diversion, according to Mercer. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.c

Most Country Constituents Bounce Back

Graham — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:38:17 GMT

Russell Developed Europe Index: Most Country Constituents Bounce Back 2 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – Greece has gone from the worst to top performing constituent country as measured by the Russell Developed Europe Index to 31 January 2012. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com

Local Government Pension Scheme Consolidation Would Provide Commercial Clout

Graham — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:38:10 GMT

Local Government Pension Scheme Consolidation Would Provide Commercial Clout 2 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – Consolidation of the UK’s 101 local government public pension schemes to just five would provide the necessary “commercial clout” to drive down costs, according to Michael Johnson at the Centre

UK Government Publishes Final Auto-Enrolment Regulations and Guidance

Graham — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:36:26 GMT

UK Government Publishes Final Auto-Enrolment Regulations and Guidance 2 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – The UK government has published final regulations and guidance on certification to help employers prepare for automatic enrolment into workplace pensions. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@planspo

Record Return for Denmark’s ATP

Graham — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:09:17 GMT

Record Return for Denmark’s ATP 1 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – Danish pension fund ATP has reported a record return in 2011 by using an innovative hedging strategy to beat chaotic market conditions, according to reports. AICIO reports the company that manages the assets for the Danish public sector wo

Aer Lingus in Talks over Separate Pension Scheme for New Employees

Graham — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:52:50 GMT

Aer Lingus in Talks over Separate Pension Scheme for New Employees 1 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – Aer Lingus has confirmed it is in talks with members of the Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme and unions over the creation of separate pension schemes for DAA and Aer Lingus employees in future, accor

Aon Hewitt: Accounting Deficits See Slight Improvement

Graham — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:37:03 GMT

Aon Hewitt: Accounting Deficits See Slight Improvement 1 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – Accounting deficits have seen a slight improvement, according to the Aon Hewitt 350 Index. The index reveals accounting deficits improved from £56bn at the end of 2011 to £51bn at 30 January. PLANSPONSOREurope Sta

Purple Book: Move to CPI Will Help PPF Become Self Sufficient

Graham — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:38:47 GMT

Purple Book: Move to CPI Will Help PPF Become Self Sufficient 1 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – The UK government’s move to the use of the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rather than the Retail Prices Index (RPI) for the indexation and revaluation of Pension Protection Fund (PPF) compensation will help incr

UK Teachers Back No Vote to Pensions Proposals

Graham — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:09:50 GMT

UK Teachers Back No Vote to Pensions Proposals 1 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – Nine in 10 NUT members have backed the UK teaching union’s decision not to sign up to the government's pensions proposals. The survey shows 90% agreed that teachers should not have to work until they are 68 for a full

Dutch Pensions Agreement Could Relieve Pensions Pressure through New Discounting Rate

Graham — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:18:07 GMT

APG: Dutch Pensions Agreement Could Relieve Pensions Pressure through New Discounting Rate 1 February 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – As Dutch social affairs minister Henk Kamp warns that pension funds which do not meet the central bank's rules on assets must reduce pensions to head off further problems, the Dut

API Group and ABN Amro Launch PPI

Graham — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:19:06 GMT

API Group and ABN Amro Launch PPI 31 January 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – The Dutch pension regulator has authorised a joint venture of pension APG Group and ABN Amro Bank, with the two parties licensed as a pension institution (PPI), according to reports. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreuro

HSBC Favours Investment Grade and Emerging Corporate Bonds and Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt

Graham — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:28:53 GMT

HSBC Favours Investment Grade and Emerging Corporate Bonds and Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt 31 January 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – Investment grade and emerging corporate bonds and emerging markets sovereign debt are providing among the most attractive investment opportunities, according to HSBC Global Ass

Punter Southall: UK Firms Confused Over Staging Dates

Graham — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:06:28 GMT

Punter Southall: UK Firms Confused Over Staging Dates 31 January 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – Less than half of UK firms know their correct staging date for auto-enrolment, according to research from Punter Southall. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com Other key findings fro

Greater Consistency between UK and International Pensions Accounting Standards Makes Sense

Graham — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:38:05 GMT

Greater Consistency between UK and International Pensions Accounting Standards Makes Sense 31 January 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – The UK’s Accounting Standard Board’s final exposure draft on the future of UK Accounting meaning companies will no longer be able to set the expected return on a scheme’s assets ac

M&G Investments Hires Alex Jeffrey

Graham — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:52:01 GMT

M&G Investments Hires Alex Jeffrey 31 January 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – M&G Investments has appointed Alex Jeffrey as Chief Executive of PRUPIM, its real estate fund management business. Jeffrey joins from independent private equity real estate investment advisory business MGPA, where he was most re

Action Needed Now to Stop Cuts in Dutch Pension Pay Outs

Graham — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:50:28 GMT

Action Needed Now to Stop Cuts in Dutch Pension Pay Outs 31 January 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – Ministers in the Netherlands should halt action now to ensure pending cuts in pension pay-outs are not allowed to continue, opposition MPs have said during a debate on pension funds and reform this week, according

Norwegian Government Pension Fund Urged to Disinvest in Royal Dutch Shell

Graham — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:48:57 GMT

Norwegian Government Pension Fund Urged to Disinvest in Royal Dutch Shell 31 January 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – A group of scientists and professionals have sent a collective communication to the Norwegian Government Pension Fund calling for disinvestment in Royal Dutch Shell on ethical grounds. The communi

ABP believes it Has Strong Case against Financial Institutions

Graham — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:45:05 GMT

ABP believes it Has Strong Case against Financial Institutions 31 January 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – ABP says it believes it has a strong case against a number of financial institutions it has taken legal action against. Goldman Sachs is the latest investment bank to be sued by the Dutch pension fund.The pen

Proposed UK Public Sector Reforms to Make Little Difference to Long Term Pension Costs

Graham — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:42:39 GMT

Proposed UK Public Sector Reforms to Make Little Difference to Long Term Pension Costs 31 January 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – Proposed UK public sector pension reforms will make “little difference” to long term costs of public pensions, the Institute for Financial Studies has claimed. PLANSPONSOREurope Sta

PSE Blog Long Term v Short Term Thinking

Kat — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:28:30 GMT

PSE Blog: Long Term v Short Term Thinking 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? PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com Does anyone remember the 1980s fi

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

Teaching Union Accepts UK Government’s Pensions Deal

Graham — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 04:01:50 GMT

Teaching Union Accepts UK Government’s Pensions Deal 30 January 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – The executive committee of UK teaching union ATL has accepted the government's final offer for the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS). The decision to accept the deal follows a poll of members showing 91.6% of respondent

MetLife Acquires Life Insurance and Pensions Businesses from Aviva

Graham — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:59:46 GMT

MetLife Acquires Life Insurance and Pensions Businesses from Aviva 30 January 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – MetLife has reached agreement to acquire from Aviva the life insurance businesses in the Czech Republic (Aviva Czech Life) and Hungary (Aviva Hungary Life), and its life insurance and pension businesses i

Heineken Hits Back as Politicians Increase Pressure over Pensions Promise

Graham — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:15:20 GMT

Heineken Hits Back as Politicians Increase Pressure over Pensions Promise 30 January 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – Heineken says it is seeking a meeting with a Scottish MP following a tabling of an early day motion connected to an alleged broken pensions promise. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@planspons

Belgians Strike over Retirement Age Rise

Graham — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:44:07 GMT

Belgians Strike over Retirement Age Rise 30 January 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) - Belgian workers are staging the country’s first national strike since 1993 in a row over changes to its retirement age, according to reports. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.com Deutsche Well

Politicians Increase Pressure on Heineken

Graham — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:42:36 GMT

Politicians Increase Pressure on Heineken 30 January 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) - Politicians have cranked up the pressure on Dutch brewer Heineken following allegations that it broke a pledge to pensioners of Scottish & Newcastle (S&N) after its takeover of the firm in 2008, according to reports.

ABP to Sue over Junk Mortgages

Graham — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:40:58 GMT

ABP to Sue over Junk Mortgages 30 January 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) - Dutch civil service pension fund ABP is taking Goldman Sachs to court for providing it with misleading information over the sale of junk mortgages, according to reports.The pension fund claims it was wrongly informed about the credit-worthi

Mercer Reveals Top Six Predictions for Health and Benefits in 2012

Graham — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:39:07 GMT

Mercer Reveals Top Six Predictions for Health and Benefits in 2012 30 January 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) - Continued growth in the flexible benefits market tops a list of six key trends anticipated by Mercer in 2012 for the health and benefits market. PLANSPONSOREurope Staff editors@plansponsoreurope.co

Barnett Waddingham Calls for Early Action to Guarantee Pensions Fixed Protection

Graham — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:37:17 GMT

Barnett Waddingham Calls for Early Action to Guarantee Pensions Fixed Protection 30 January 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – People in the UK with large pension pots need to review their arrangements as soon as possible to avoid any complications in meeting HMRC’s Fixed Protection deadline of 6 April 2012, Barnett

UK Government Could Face Fresh Strikes Over Pensions

Graham — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:35:33 GMT

UK Government Could Face Fresh Strikes Over Pensions 30 January 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – The UK government is facing fresh strikes by public sector workers over changes to their pensions, according to reports. The Press Association says The National Union of Teachers (NUT), NASUWT, University and Colleges

UK Large Firms Fail to Prepare for Auto Enrolment

Graham — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:18:28 GMT

UK Large Firms Fail to Prepare for Auto Enrolment 30 January 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) – Seven in 10 large employers have failed to formulate plans for auto-enrolment, according to research from Clear Path.The research also shows three fifths of pension scheme respondents are unsure about the true costs invol

PPF Seeks Specialist Bond Managers

Graham — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:20:37 GMT

PPF Seeks Specialist Bond Managers 30 January 2012 (PLANSPONSOREurope.com) - The UK’s Pension Protection Fund (PPF) is looking to appoint a panel of specialist bond managers. The new panel will comprise managers with expertise in Absolute Return Strategies, Asset Backed Securities and Emerging Market Debt and wi

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

The Italian Drama continues

Kat — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 05:03:15 GMT

The Italian Drama continues Katherine Blackler kblackler@assetinternational.com Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi won a vote of confidence in the lower house of parliament on Tuesday following months of calls for him to resign as his critics argued he is too mired in personal scandal and corruption allegations

French Anger v UK Apathy Who is Right?

Kat — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 06:23:48 GMT

French Anger v UK Apathy…Who is Right? Katherine Blackler In a rare example of different reactions to similar pensions measures the UK and France have provided an interesting cultural comparison of late. Both countries have recently been told by lawmakers that they are to face imminent in

Vive la Resistance

Kat — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 04:38:03 GMT

Vive la Résistance… Katherine Blackler France faces its sixth day of nationwide protests and strikes against Sarkozy’s unpopular pension reform with public sector workers grid locking travel around the country and people taking to the streets en masse as trade unions continue to test the President.

FSA wages war on journalist sources

Kat — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 04:06:37 GMT

FSA wages war on journalist sources – perhaps not the best of their ideas? Katherine Blackler All non-media relations personnel at regulated firms should be banned from speaking to the media according to the latest guidance from the Financial Services Authority in its FSA MarketWatch newsletter.

Starting Points

Application — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 09:44:09 GMT

Starting Points Katherine Blackler kblackler@assetinternational.com Hello and welcome to this, the first of many blogs from the PLANSPONSOR Europe team. As the new Managing Editor I am sure you will be hearing a lot more from me. Before joining the Asset International family (our friendly p

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.