All Pensions articles
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White papersEuropean ABS: A compelling tool for DC default strategies
Asset-backed securities are often a misunderstood asset class, despite having many compelling characteristics including a potential return premium and a defensive capital structure.These, in our view, make them well-suited as a tool for inclusion in defined contribution (DC) default strategies.
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White papersPrioritizing DC Plan Participant Outcomes with Private Real Estate
Most retirement plan sponsors and fiduciaries design well-thought-out, diversified portfolios for retirement plan participants. However, in comparing U.S. defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) plans, we notice differences in private asset allocations, in particular, to private real estate, despite both plan types seeking to solve for the same goal: income replacement in retirement.
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White papersEndgame – the benefits of ‘buy and maintain’ credit
Due to higher gilt yields, many defined benefit pension schemes are now in a stronger funding position than they were a few years ago. To secure this improved status, schemes are looking to reduce investment risk by decreasing equity holdings and focusing on assets that will more likely provide the necessary cashflows to pay pensions.
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White papersA circular economy approach to protecting the ozone layer
Pension schemes can play a key role in shaping the future by investing in private markets, while providing members access to a broad spectrum of innovative companies on a mission to make a difference. Here we look at how one business is providing key solutions to protect the ozone layer by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in refrigeration while actively promoting the circular economy across domestic and industrial processes.
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White papersDeep Waves: Longevity—the undertow to the demographic wave
Franklin Templeton Institute’s Kim Catechis suggests longer life expectancy around the world is a blessing but calls for preparation. This includes financial services firms that can develop longer client relationships by placing extra emphasis on building trust with aging investors.
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White papersThe Generational Divide
Leveraging data from the Retirement Survey & Insights Report 2023, this supplemental report examines the challenges faced by each working generation (working Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z) in an effort to better understand their retirement journey.
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White papersCollective Defined Contribution (CDC) Schemes: Assessing Capacity for Alternative Investments
There is growing interest in collective defined contribution schemes as pension systems adapt to changing economics and demographics.
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White papersUK Pension Reforms: A New Horizon Awaits
Landmark review can unlock billions of pounds of capital to support economic reforms.
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White papersPension Funds Letter 21 - All together to talk “Adaptation in Motion”
Four years ago, the Covid-19 pandemic brought about an instant and permanent shift in the way many of us work. Virtual communication has replaced much of the face-to-face contact that we had previously been accustomed to. While the convenience and savings of web-conferencing means it’s a trend that’s here to stay, in-person interaction still retains many benefits.
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White papersUK DC Pensions: Overcoming the Hurdles to Investing in Private Markets
Historically, UK DC pension plans have struggled to invest in private markets. We’ve found that where there’s a will, there’s a way.In today’s challenging environment for DC pension savers, allocating to private markets can help improve return potential. Implementing an allocation to private markets in DC pensions isn’t straightforward, but it can be done. The secret? A combination of experience, ingenuity and an appropriate choice of investment vehicle.
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White papersWhy Allocate to Private Credit in Your DC Pension Plan?
Saving for a pension isn’t getting any easier. But allocations to private assets—such as private credit—could help. It’s getting harder for UK defined contribution (DC) savers to accumulate realistic amounts of capital for their retirement.Prospective real returns from most asset classes look unlikely to match those of recent years. And the cost-of-living crisis is making it tougher for savers to maintain their current pension contributions, let alone increase them in future. How can DC savers get ahead?
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White papersA bigger splash: How much liquidity do I need?
The importance of holding liquidity is well understood by large institutions. But how much is enough? In the first part of our new article series on liquidity optimisation, Alastair Sewell investigates the key considerations for different investor types.
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White papersImproving corporate governance in Asia
Regulators across Asia are trying to boost shareholder value by addressing some longstanding corporate governance issues. But are we seeing genuine improvements at the company level or a tick box approach? Haonan Wu examines the evidence.
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White papersOptimal decumulation strategies for retirement solutions
The importance of decumulation strategies in retirement has gained traction in recent years. Government pension reforms are driving a move away from defined benefit (DB) schemes, which promise an income for life, in favour of defined contribution (DC) plans which offer no such guarantee. In Europe, DC plans already account for 26% of retirement assets (USD713.9 billion) and are projected to rise significantly in the next five years, potentially increasing by USD2.5 trillion.
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White papersKey findings Optimal decumulation strategies
The importance of decumulation strategies in retirement has gained traction in recent years. Government pension reforms are driving a move away from defined benefit (DB) schemes, which promise an income for life, in favour of defined contribution (DC) plans which offer no such guarantee. In Europe, DC plans already account for 26% of retirement assets (USD713.9 billion) and are projected to rise significantly in the next five years, potentially increasing by USD2.5 trillion.
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PodcastReassessing Retirement Savings with Robin Diamonte
As we mark the annual observance of International Women’s Day this March, we highlight the contributions and milestones of women in society all month long. In honor of this celebration, we invited an esteemed female Chief Investment Officer to highlight a core investment topic some people tend to misunderstand: retirement savings.
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White papersPension Funds Letter 20 - Looking past short-term noise to the long-term
Our everyday lives are a succession of small decisions. Often unconsciously, we make decisions daily that ultimately influence our longer-term well-being. These range from the seemingly mundane, such as what will we eat, how much will we exercise, in what ways we use our spare cash, to the more significant around professions, relationships and savings.
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White papersCOP28: Limited expectations met with some progress on climate finance
But what might be a diplomatic victory is definitely not a climate one, whatever the efforts and intense negotiations that have underpinned it, as there is still much to be done. Notably the agreement did not say to “phase them out”, which many were calling for.
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White papersIncome strips for insurers: A natural fit?
With many UK defined-benefit pension schemes considering de-risking options in the wake of higher interest rates, their appetite for private assets, such as Income Strips, has reduced thus leaving potential opportunities for other institutional investors.
