Resources

A stronger Pensions Regulator

The Pension Schemes Act 2021 (the Act) brought with it a raft of new offences, both criminal and civil, as well as extended informationgathering and interviewing powers, to enable The Pensions Regulator (TPR) to fulfil its “clearer, quicker, and tougher” mantra.

A trustee effectiveness review: a tool to help trustees

We know that not everyone finds the idea of a trustee effectiveness review appealing. Many feel such a review will take up time that could be better spent dealing with scheme issues, and the prospect of a list of improvements for busy trustees is not attractive. However, a periodic review of how trustees are operating collectively will be time well-invested and is an essential requirement for a well-run scheme.

A roadmap to responsible investing

In an ever-changing landscape for institutional investors, there is an industry-wide acknowledgement of the increasingly important role that responsible investing has to play in managing a well-diversified portfolio. More and more fiduciaries recognise that the incorporation of environmental, social and governance (ESG) risk factors can materially impact portfolio risk and return, as well as help bring the portfolio into closer alignment with an organisation’s mission and broader goals. With that, investors want to ensure they are investing responsibly and integrating ESG factors into their portfolios appropriately. The difficulty for some that are at the start of this journey lies in knowing how and where to begin.

Engaging with the ‘new normal’

I am sitting in the sun at my favourite café writing this piece. Finally, life’s getting back to normal. Despite the changes wrought by COVID-19, there are some constants. For example, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is still on a mission to ensure that the boundaries of advice and guidance are well defined. It recently joined forces with The Pensions Regulator (TPR) to publish some dos and don’ts in this area. The aim is to give clarity to trustees on what they can and can’t do in terms of providing guidance and support around financial decision-making.

Lightening the governance load in volatile times

For professional clients only

In our latest blog, learn how fiduciary management can provide respite for hard-pressed trustees in uncertain times.

Act now to protect savers from climate risk

Climate change has the potential to de-stabilise the social and economic conditions on which we depend for our pensions system. David Fairs outlines how The Pensions Regulator’s (TPR’s) Climate Change Strategy aims to drive trustees to integrate consideration of climate change right across their decision-making and act on the risks and opportunities so that savers are better protected.