Swedish funds lobby slams procurement agency’s ‘rigid criteria’
Lobby bemoans reduction of European equity fund range to six from 22, but FTN says 92% of assets were already placed in just six funds
German investors wary of defence sector on ESG grounds
The war in Ukraine has triggered a rethink to the general reluctance regarding defence-related investments, says Triton managing director
Investor group to target data providers, proxy advisers over human rights
New engagement initiative takes aim at MSCI, Bloomberg, ISS and others
Switzerland to cut funds to first pillar to pay out 13th month of pension
To offset a reduction of public funds, the cabinet plans to either increase contributions or VAT, or both
Oil and gas industry ‘alarmingly underprepared’ for climate transition
Research shows failure to align with goals of the Paris Agreement as investors increasingly give up on sector
People moves: Clara-Pensions names new chief operating officer
Plus: LCP appoints independent chair; IFM Investors recruits head of global consultant relations
European Commission president’s plan for common SWF stalls
Focus on Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), and member states’ opposition obstruct path towards fully-fledged EU sovereignty wealth fund
FTN tender winner AMF calls process ‘tough but rewarding’
Swedbank Robur says mandate award shows its fund also attractive in an international context
Norwegian wealth fund ratchets up criticism of UK’s dual-class share plan
Apart from undermining UK’s reputation for strong investor protection, argues NBIM, FCA’s efforts might not even pay off
Industriens Pension weaves climate index into foreign equities benchmark
Danish pension fund makes MSCI Climate Action Index 25% of the benchmark for its €8bn overseas equities portfolio
Deutsche Rentenversicherung steps aside from generational capital contract
The German first pillar manager claims it lacks know-how to deal with risky investments
Create clear transition taxonomies to support net zero efforts, rulemakers told
CFA Institute also recommends economic feasibility disclosures as part of transition plans, and WACI changes
Austrian hotels partner with VBV to offer occupational pensions to workers
Association is convinced that occupational pension offers – which are still rare in Austria in general and in the tourism industry in particular – will help attract more staff
IFRS committee confirms it will not tackle net zero accounting
The International Accounting Standards Board is expected to review the committee’s decision at its April meeting
UK pensions committee calls for fresh approach to funding regulations
Industry welcomes recommendations that will help open DB schemes thrive
EU urged to make Green Bond Standard mandatory as ESMA consults on reviewer rules
Commission pushes back on claims it has not done enough to promote transition
DWP publishes guidance on pensions dashboard connection
While it is not mandatory, UK pensions minister urges trustees to follow the guidance
Bad climate, nature scenarios risk being ‘an expensive waste of time’ for investors
Simon Zadek’s remarks come as TNFD promises to learn from the mistakes of climate scenarios
Next Group completes £510m buy-in deal with Pension Insurance Corporation
Pension liabilities for over 3,600 pensioners and deferred policyholders of the Next Pension Plan have now been fully insured
DAX company schemes continue alternatives expansion, says WTW
Total pension assets increased in 2023 by 4.9% to €257bn
AA scheme appoints Van Lanschot Kempen as fiduciary manager
The mandate contributes £800m to Van Laschot Kempen’s total client assets under management
Aviva launches flexible pension scheme for Bolt drivers
The scheme will open on 1 May 2024
Swedish funds agency unveils first tender results, most winners are Nordic
Abrdn and JPMorgan are only two non-Nordic asset managers out of six successful bidders for SEK11bn of European equity provision
Brunel names new chair as Denise Le Gal’s eight-year tenure ends
Sally Bridgeland will join Brunel’s board as deputy chair on 1 May before taking over as chair in October
Italian schemes restructure sub-funds offering, introduce new life cycle option
Fondo Pegaso and Fondenel are restructuring their sub-fund offerings for their members, introducing new life-cycle options
IIGCC repositions portfolio decarbonisation target as objective in framework update
An update to the sovereign bond guidance, which has evolved with the advent of improving analysis tools and stewardship practices, has also been made
ASIP warns of unclear impact of 13th month of pension on second pillar
The Swiss pension fund association expects that ‘legally binding’ answers will come only with decisions taken by federal administration and legislators
Commercial dashboard operators join forces to launch industry coalition
Standard Life, Legal & General, Moneyhub and Just Group came together to launch the Dashboard Operators Coalition
PPF proposes bespoke discount rates in valuations for smaller schemes
The consultation will close on 6 May and seeks views from actuarial professionals and industry stakeholders
German sustainable finance group calls for clearer engagement guidelines
There is ‘great potential for more active shareholder behaviour in Germany,’ says Silke Stremlau
PME sells 112 companies for ESG reasons
The €54.6bn pension fund for the Dutch technology industry sold over €800m in shares as it adopted a new ESG screening policy
Robeco’s sustainability head calls out ‘inherent contradiction’ in US managers leaving CA100+
Carola van Lamoen accused investors of ‘doubling down on transition finance, seemingly as an alternative to engaging on real-world emissions reductions’
German asset managers make inroads into occupational pensions
Trend towards DC plans and social partner model in SMEs opens up opportunities for money managers
UK government encouraged to create chief secretary for natural capital
Natural capital committee raised concerns about the potential conflicts between renewable energy development and biodiversity conservation
Ethos calls on asset managers to toughen stance on sustainability at AGMs
Asset managers’ votes on sustainability-related items on AGM agendas continue to diverge from the preferences of asset owners
‘Challenge and disclosure’ central to achieving value for money, says TPR
Schemes should consider tendering to replace their advisers, or obtaining short-term specialist advice, if their advisers do not provide information meaningfully, says Delfas
DAX companies’ pension assets grow to €257bn, says Mercer
The value of pension obligations went up by around €16bn to €323bn, primarily as a result of the discount rate
Aon launches ‘enhanced’ responsible investment solution
Consultancy says tool can help asset owners assess whether investment managers are delivering on their expectations
People moves: Royal Mail Pensions Trustees chief joins Cartwright
Plus: People’s Partnership appoints marketing director; Schroders Capital names global head of business development and product
Keva chief pushes for reform of private sector pension investment rules
Cutting pension spending would not greatly improve dire state finances, says Jaakko Kiander
Brunel’s Ward warns against ‘demonising or misallocating capital’ amid Scope 3 push
‘Only operating with 20% of the necessary information is quite unnerving if you’re an investor ,’ says Brunel’s chief responsible investment officer
Swedish funds agency extends deadline of second tender duo by a week
New authority procuring funds for premium pension system reacts to unexpected changes in tender documentation
IGG’s aim is to support scheme trustees, not replace them
The firm wants to access the small schemes’ market and is looking to launch a new product this summer, according to CEO Andrew Bradshaw
Germany’s FDP focus on individual contribution accounts for first pillar pension system
FDP still looks to the Swedish model, facing resistance from coalition partners
DC pension scheme majority prefers to access illiquids via LTAFs, survey says
The main barrier to investing in private markets, highlighted by respondents, are high fees
HSBC scheme launches LTAF as it adds private markets to DC default
This marks the successful launch of the ‘largest LTAF’ for a single trust, according to LCP
German institutional investors boost corporate bonds allocation
Investments in government bonds fell from more than 36% to just over 30% of total allocations
TPR first-ever trustee D&I survey to provide a baseline to measure progress
‘The majority of trustees recognise the importance of greater board inclusivity and diversity, although fewer than half of schemes have taken action to improve,’ says regulator
EIOPA presents pension fund investments’ alignment with EU green taxonomy
European supervisory authority published figures in ‘factsheet’ format
Brunel Pension Partnership to move away from ‘pure cost-savings focus’
The pool is making cost savings of £41m per year