Many Sponsors Still Shy about Using Derivatives
The report, “Pension Risk Management: Derivatives, Fiduciary Duty and Process”, said respondents to a survey conducted by Pension Governance LLP and the Society of Actuaries found that plan sponsors that shied away from derivatives also cited Perception of Excess Risk (31%); Considered Too Complex (23%); Prohibition Against Possible Leverage (19%); and/or “Defined Benefit Plan Risk Not Considered Significant” (28%).
According to the survey, larger plans are more likely to use derivatives than their smaller counterparts. Some 39% of users managed plans larger than $5 billion versus 14% of non-users at plans larger than $5 billion.
While respondents seemed to be doing a good risk management job, the study found, there was more room for improvement.
“In answering broad questions, a majority of surveyed plan sponsors describe themselves as doing all the right things to manage investment, fiduciary and liability risks,” the study said. “However, answers to subsequent questions – those that query further about risk procedures and policies at a detailed level – do not support the notion that pension risk management is being addressed on a comprehensive basis by all plans represented in the survey sample. “
The news release said the survey results also included:
- A majority of derivatives users (64%) and non-users (48%) have had discussions about the concept of a fiduciary duty to hedge asset-related risks. A smaller number say they have discussed the concept of a fiduciary duty to hedge liability-related risks.
- When asked if their organization has or is planning to hire a Chief Risk Officer, 57% (64%) of users (non-users) answered "No."
- Defined benefit plan design does not appear to be a looming priority, with 68% (58%) of users (non-users) answering "No" when asked if changes are imminent.
- Fifty-two percent (57%) of users (non-users) say they review external money managers' valuation policies.
- Sixty-eight percent (61%) of users (non-users) include questions about the use of derivatives and risk management as part of the Request for Proposal (RFP) process.
- Survey respondents seem to rely mainly on elementary tools to measure risk. Eighty-three percent (64%) of users (non-users) rank Standard Deviation first in importance. Seventy-nine percent (63%) of users (non-users) rank Correlation second.
A total of 162 retirement plan decisionmakers in the United States and Canada were respondents. The full report is available here .
You Might Also Like:
Julie Su’s Nomination for Secretary of Labor Passes Senate Committee
The Factors at Play in IBM’s Shift to a Cash Balance Plan Reviewed
US Corporate Pension Funding Rises Despite September Market Challenges
« IRS Extends Effective Date for Retirement Age Regs for Government Plans