Latest from IPE Magazine – Page 392
-
Features
Case study of a US asset manager
“Asset management is a craft industry and may always remain so. Its food chain is changing but predictions about consolidation are too simplistic. In manufacturing, consolidation is occurring in ownership, not activities: as size has proved an enemy of alpha, the craft end is being fragmented to create independent and ...
-
FeaturesThe yin and yang of multi-boutiques
In the fourth article in a new series, Neeraj Sahai and Amin Rajan argue that boutique is a state of mind. Only savvy leaders can create it
-
Opinion Pieces
Toby Nangle, Director, Baring Asset Management
“Developing countries are positioned to enjoy a demographic dividend from now until 2030-35”
-
Features
Risk-analysis wonderland
In its recently published exposure draft on pensions accounting, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) proposed that entities should present a sensitivity analysis to show how changes in key actuarial assumptions might reasonably be expected to affect:
-
Features
Fiduciary expands in UK
Towers Watson received important backing in October for its implemented consulting offering following its appointment to an expanded ‘delegated CIO’ brief by the £3bn (€3.5bn) UK Merchant Navy Officers’ Pension Fund (MNOPF). Terminology aside, this is a fiduciary management agreement and as such is the largest in the UK to ...
-
Features
NAPF delegates meet the new government
The National Association of Pension Funds’ annual conference in Liverpool came at a time of uncertainty for British pensions: there was the announcement of a new Pension Protection Fund (PPF) levy; the release of Lord John Hutton’s report into public pensions; and Steve Webb’s assurance to the industry that auto-enrolment ...
-
Features
German education funds a no-brainer
Germany has jumped on the bandwagon of education funds, with pension funds sensing an opportunity for uncorrelated returns above bond yields with an altruistic benefit. On average, a German student wanting to graduate from a private university needs €25-30,000, of which only a small proportion is covered by grants.
-
Opinion Pieces
A private equity rethink
At the end of a tumultuous decade, US public pension funds are re-evaluating their relationship with private equity firms. Disappointing returns, high fees and a number of scandals are pushing pension fund managers either to quit investing in this asset class or to take more control themselves. But no solution ...
-
Opinion Pieces
EIOPA: Mixed feelings
The new European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) opens its doors in 2011 with the prospect of greatly increased powers and a fivefold increase in staff in due course. EIOPA replaces the existing Committee of European Insurance and Occupational Pension (CEIOPS), which is one of the three ‘level three’ ...
-
FeaturesPortugal: The private sector problem
Reforms to public sector pensions have not been matched by measures to encourage private saving, writes Jim Robinson
-
FeaturesSpain: Ill-prepared for austerity
Bloated and unsustainable public provision has stifled private pensions while political wrangling and the pressure for austerity is hampering reform efforts, writes Jim Robinson
-
FeaturesBelgium: wait and see
Martin Delaney finds the Belgian pension fund industry waiting to find out if a new coalition government, when it is formed, will have the will to take bold decisions on retirement age
-
FeaturesAustria: still searching for the way ahead
Negotiations on the next stage of Austria's pension reform have produced consensus on some points and a pile of wish-lists for further discussion, reports Barbara Ottawa
-
FeaturesDenmark: Preparing for Solvency II
Gearing up for Solvency II and winding down crisis measures are exercising Danish government and pensions groups, writes Nina Roerhbein
-
FeaturesCEE: political changes add to uncertainty on pensions reform
Thomas Escritt looks at recent developments in the pensions systems of some of the regionís major economies
-
FeaturesFrance: Retirement age is main target for reform
Nina Roehrbein finds the French government rejecting structural change to the pensions system in favour of modifying parameters such as retirement age and length of service
-
FeaturesFinland: Stalling negotiations put reforms in gridlock
Government working groups and unions clashed over plans to increase retirement age, but legislation is on the way to improve risk management and solvency, writes Pirkko Juntunen
-
FeaturesGermany: Stability heralds change
Weathering the financial crisis with only one major pension-related insolvency does not mean Germany sat still, with regulatory changes coming from inside and out, writes Jonathan Williams
-
FeaturesItaly: Second pillar at a stalemate
While second-pillar reforms were stalled by the financial crisis, the resulting austerity is driving changes to first-pillar provision, writes Nina Roerhbein
