All articles by Rachel Fixsen – Page 198
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News
PKA to up private equity allocation
DENMARK – The Danish industry-wide pensions provider PKA is set to boost its investment in private equity significantly in the next few years, in the wake of strong returns for the asset class in 2006.
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Features
Sector funds roll out the boundaries of cover
With Belgium’s low coverage through occupational plans it is perhaps not surprising that sector schemes are becoming a major vehicle for second pillar pensions provision in the country. Rachel Fixsen reports
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Features
Bringing it back in-house is better
In 2005, the Pensioensfonds Horeca & Catering (PH&C) scheme in the Netherlands decided to pull away administration from third party provider PVF Achmea and bring it back in-house. Administration at the sectoral fund - which covers the hotel, restaurant and catering industry - had been outsourced ever since the fund ...
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Features
Buy-out business grows as funds seek cost savings
The Netherlands in particular has seen a big increase in the use of external specialists as regulatory pressures grow and qualified staff prove hard to come by, writes Rachel Fixsen
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Features
Outsourcing for efficiency
Over the past few years, several pension funds in Europe have opted to spin off their administrative department into a separate pensions services company. But such moves are not about creating new profit centres - they are seen as freeing the operations up to focus on their main activity and ...
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Features
Facing into the new world of OFPs
We asked a number of Belgian pension funds about their current strategies – Rachel Fixsen reports
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Features
Survival of the fittest
New products and players are increasing pressures on investment consultants. Rachel Fixsen examines how they are coping in a more competitive market
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Features
Wrestling with the leviathan
With €420bn under management, reserve funds are rapidly becoming the giants of European investment. But is their gargantuan size an asset or a hindrance? Rachel Fixsen investigates
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Features
Saints or sinners?
Private equity is undoubtedly a high profile asset class right now. But Rachel Fixsen finds that there are varying opinions on its merits for pension funds
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Features
Borrow and return
We continue our focus on gearing with a visit to three pension funds where we find broad acceptance and some enthusiasm tempered with a healthy dose of caution, as Rachel Fixsen reports
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Features
Recognising the many faces of risk
While many of the risks that pension funds face only have negative impacts, others can provide opportunities provided they are controlled and managed. Rachel Fixsen reports
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Features
Responding to the challenges
Corporate pensions are facing contentious issues right across the board. Rachel Fixsen talks to a range of funds to find out how they are responding. We also highlight the issues of tax, IAS19, asset pooling, liabilities, airlines, multinational pooling and portability
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Special Report
Skilled delegates the way to ensure democracy
Paid pension fund staff clearly need thorough training in the business area relevant to their role. But the decision-making process at a fund involves many others. In Denmark, more pension funds are taking a serious look at the skills of their delegates elected by members, says Claus Skadhauge, head of ...
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Features
More than just a pressing need to know
Pension funds need more formal skills to deal with the plethora of new developments in the sector – from the flood of new investment products to changes in finance, pension and social legislation. Rachel Fixsen reports
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Features
Back to basics
Pension funds are recognising that getting asset allocation right is an essential first principle. Rachel Fixsen reports
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Features
Legislation keeps consultants on their toes
While demand for advisory services in Spain has been squeezed, legal changes have helped keep things ticking over in Portugal. Rachel Fixsen reports
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Features
Exploring new horizons
Drawn to property investment first and foremost as a tool for diversification, Finnish institutions are aiming to broaden the spread within the asset class, as Rachel Fixsen reports
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Features
Pushing the boundaries
Transparency is one of the biggest headaches for pension funds seeking to invest in real estate or further diversify their real estate portfolios. Wary funds with hefty responsibilities tend to be risk averse and therefore in need of some reassurance. Is it down to relationship management? Rachel Fixsen investigates
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Special Report
Part of what they believe in
While more funds are taking SRI/ESG on board, each follows their own approach. Rachel Fixsen investigates how they implement their guidelines
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Features
Consultant activity goes with regulatory flow
A steady stream of legislative change affecting pensions is keeping consultants busy in the Nordic countries. Rachel Fixsen reports
