All Features articles – Page 243
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Features
In the shadow of constraints
Portugal’s private pension system received a blow at the start of this year when the government removed the tax benefits on employee contributions to third pillar arrangements. Ironically, the step was taken by a centre-right government that ideologically favoured private provision. However, it was forced to adopt stringent fiscal measures ...
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Features
Consultants welcome wealth indices
The move to fundamental or wealth indices has been welcomed as an important development, as indices provider FTSE announces the launch of a new ‘fundamental index’ series. “This new thinking is very healthy and we support the idea,” said Roger Urwin, global head of investment consulting at international consultancy Watson ...
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Features
E.ON to set up external CTA
German energy giant E.ON is to remove up to €5.4bn in pension liabilities from its balance sheet and finance them via an external fund. The construction of the fund, known as a contractural trust arrangement (CTA), is to be completed in 2006. E.ON announced the move with its recent first-half ...
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Features
A far from easy decision
Undertaking due diligence in the Asia-Pacific region can have the attraction of combining business with great beaches, the lure of the orient and the opportunity to experience the Australian lifestyle. While some investment professionals are honest enough to admit this has influenced their choice of specialism, does it make sense ...
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Features
Testing to destruction
The Dutch keep piling the agony on their pension funds. If there are any nuts to be cracked, the regulators and the different commissions come in swinging their sledgehammers. It is almost as if the system has to be tested to destruction before it can be accepted that it works. ...
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Features
Last details to be finalised
The pension reform that was the focus of attention for years is no longer on the pension industry’s agenda, according to Guido Blasco, a consultant at Hewitt in Milan. “The consensus is that the reform works, so the debate is no longer about the reforms themselves but about the proposals ...
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Features
Directive to 'impact discount rates'
The implementation of the European directive on occupational pensions could lead to a change in the way discount rates are determined, according to the European actuarial consultative group. “We expect to see significant changes in the way discount rates and other assumptions are determined as EU states begin to implement ...
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Features
Strong market moves east
Central and eastern European pension funds continued to climb up the Top 1000 ranks, with asset growth last year outstripping that of membership because of the exceptionally strong performance of the local capital markets. Share prices rocketed ahead of EU accession in May 2004, while bond markets posted some of ...
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Features
Move towards equities
Finnish pension funds have posted above target level real returns of more than 7% for the last couple of years, according to Matti Leppälä, director responsible for international and legal affairs for the Finnish Pensions Alliance (TELA). But the industry is concerned that regulations put unnecessary limits on investments which ...
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Features
Going with the flow
When we think of Switzerland it is easy to become carried away with one central theme: liquid. Glaciers giving way to babbling alpine streams and pristine lakes; sturdy mountain cattle providing the abundant milk that flows into some of the world’s best chocolate and cheeses; the cheeses make us think ...
