Pension funds
Fixed income investors look to ethical funds – but do they pay?
Of all asset classes, fixed income has been one of the slowest to embrace ethical investment. Thanks in part to the growing influence of sovereign wealth funds, this may be set to change. But for many, lingering questions about whether constraining your…
Australian superannuation funds holding operational risk reserves
An Australian study by Mercer says 75% of super funds hold op risk reserves
Commodities ‘financialisation’ worries end-users
With recent statistics showing an increasing number of financial institutions jumping into commodities, Lianna Brinded investigates whether this will cause more risks to end-users
Morgan Stanley and UBS boost LLMA membership to 10
Life & Longevity Markets Association gains momentum
OECD urges pension regulators to reduce importance of market consistency in stressed periods
OECD argues market values should not drive pension regulation
Post-crisis pension fund strategic asset allocation
Pension investing is a long-term game – but the financial crisis forced most funds to adjust their strategies to meet the demands of short-term volatility. The impact of this experience has been felt differently across Europe. Clive Davidson reports
Sampension moves to intentional guarantees
Copenhagen fund agrees to move to intentional guarantees to avoid Solvency II charges
Ring-fencing may not protect benefits
Ring-fencing assets may not protect policyholder benefits, says Ceiops
Subdued times for buyouts
Dan DeKeizer, chief executive of MetLife Assurance, talks to Alexander Campbell
Superannuation changes may ignite Aussie VA growth
Variable annuities set to grow as Australia tackles pensions longevity issue
A long life for longevity swaps?
The market for longevity swaps is picking up pace, with several transactions completed over the past few months. But is this asset class here to stay or is it a response to market conditions? By Alexander Campbell
IAS 19 to speed pension de-risking
Proposed changes to accounting standards will remove some of the reporting freedom enjoyed by pension funds and could steer them away from investing in equities towards the relative safety of bonds and swaps – a development that could have an impact on…
Hedge fund investment back on pension funds' horizons
Pension schemes are again making allocations into hedge funds, despite the negative performance from many funds – and therefore correlation with underlying markets – throughout the financial crisis. So why the interest? John Ferry reports
FTSE targets UK pensions industry with defined contribution index
FTSE has created an index to help asset managers and retail investors navigate the pensions market. The index provider has partnered with London-based data services firm Pension DCisions to create the first benchmark for the UK’s defined contributions…
Mature pension funds will not survive another financial crisis
Pension schemes have been severely affected by the recent financial crisis. But, according to Cardano’s Theo Kocken and Joeri Potters, the prognosis for recovery is dependent on the maturity of the individual schemes – unless there is widespread systemic…
Inverted swap spreads change insurer’s and pension fund’s hedging approach
Inverted swap spreads have defied earlier predictions that they were a short-term aberration to still be a feature 18 months after their first appearance. Is this set to continue and, if so, does it pose an opportunity for pension schemes and insurers?…
Against the grain
Pension fund performance in 2008 was appalling, with funding levels plunging across the globe – but some schemes sidestepped a funding crisis by focusing on effective risk management.