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Pension and Benefits

InsurancePension and Benefits
June 3, 2021

Bridge the Gap or Vive la Différence: Insurers vs. Pension Plans

Can corporate pension managers learn from how insurance companies invest their pension-related assets?So-called pension risk transfers (PRTs) allow corporates to negotiate with insurance companies to take on a pension plan’s liabilities and remove interest rate and longevity risk from the company’s balance sheet. In the US, PRT transactions totaled about $25 billion in 2020, with $14 billion of that coming in Q4, the highest quarterly volume since 2012.That context formed the backdrop for a recent meeting of NeuGroup for Pensions…
Justin Jones
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Pension and BenefitsRisk Management
March 25, 2021

Spring and Derisking in the Air for Defined Benefit Pension Plans

A strong stock market and higher interest rates plus regulatory relief bring smiles to some DB plan managers.An upbeat mood befitting the beginning of spring prevailed at this week’s meeting of NeuGroup for Pensions and Benefits. With the yield on the 10-year US Treasury note rebounding to pre-Covid levels and equities trading in the vicinity of all-time highs, a summer of full funding is within sight for many plans. Below are takeaways distilled by NeuGroup executive advisor Roger Heine, who helped…
Justin Jones
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Pension and BenefitsRisk Management
January 26, 2021

Pension Endgames: Insights for Managers Mulling Moves

A session sponsored by Insight Investment probes pros, cons and timing of transferring liabilities to insurers.A key consideration for corporates with traditional defined benefit plans is whether to transfer pension liabilities to insurance companies as funding deficits narrow or plans go into surplus. The primary benefits of risk transfer are eliminating PBGC fees, which have escalated substantially in the last few years, and removing all risk from the company’s balance sheet—both interest rate and longevity risk. Half of the members…
Justin Jones
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Capital MarketsPension and Benefits
December 17, 2020

Dial It Down: Pension Fund Managers Cope With Lower EROAs

Key takeaways from a NeuGroup for Pension and Benefits meeting sponsored by Insight Investment and BNY Mellon.Pension fund managers discussed best practices in selecting and evaluating investment managers, asset allocation and the impact of lower estimated return on assets (EROA) among other topics at a virtual meeting sponsored by Investment Insight and BNY Mellon. Here are takeaways from the gathering compiled by Roger Heine, senior executive advisor at NeuGroup. EROA expectations. Two-thirds of members are facing the reality that low interest…
Justin Jones
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Pension and BenefitsRisk Management
November 24, 2020

Pension Puzzle: Insights for Managers Putting the Pieces Together

Willis Towers Watson weighs in on WACC, the efficient frontier and pension financing alternatives.Pension fund managers evaluating alternative funding strategies should not necessarily use their companies’ weighted average cost of capital (WAAC) as a discount rate; the risks of the pension should be viewed differently than a normal project investment considered by the company. That was among the key takeaways from a recent NeuGroup Virtual Interactive Session sponsored by Willis Towers Watson, “Relative Value: Pension De-risking in a Post-Covid World.”…
Justin Jones
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Investment ManagementPension and BenefitsRisk Management
November 3, 2020

Walk Before You Run: Using Derivatives in Pension Funds

The value of educating stakeholders on why using derivatives can make sense.During a recent NeuGroup for Pension and Benefits session sponsored by Insight Investment and BNY Mellon, a pair of members shared their knowledge and experience using derivatives in managing corporate pension plans. Two highlights: “Walk before you run” emerged as a key piece of advice to members, most of whom do not make extensive use of derivatives.Educating stakeholders including finance committees, C-Suite executives and accountants on derivatives and their…
Justin Jones
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ESGPension and BenefitsTalking Shop
November 3, 2020

Talking Shop: How to Respond to a New Rule on ESG Funds in 401(k) Plans?

Context:  On Friday, Oct. 30, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued a final rule clarifying the use by fiduciaries of investments in environmental, social and governance (ESG) funds. The regulation, according to some analysts, will end up limiting the use of ESG funds by some 401(k) and pension plans. Proposed in June, the change was opposed by many asset managers and investment advisors; DOL says the final rule was changed in response to comments. Member question: “Has anyone thought about…
Justin Jones
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Capital MarketsCOVID-19Pension and Benefits
August 27, 2020

Wild Ride: Pension Fund Managers Describe a Rebalancing Roller Coaster Amid Pandemic

NeuGroup members discuss successes, disappointments and potential changes to strategy. Huge market swings, limited liquidity and high trading costs have tested the ability of corporate pension fund managers to rebalance portfolios during the pandemic. These challenging conditions have demonstrated the importance of speed and agility to make investment changes in times of crisis, and have forced some managers to take a hard look at asset classes and external managers. These and other insights emerged during a recent NeuGroup Virtual Interactive…
Justin Jones
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Investment ManagementPension and Benefits
July 7, 2020

Do Pensions Need to Bolster Post-Retirement Resources?

Pension managers could be doing a better job of guiding retirees with their post-work pension planning.For decades, defined contribution (DC) retirement plans have helped address the needs of individuals leading up to retirement. However, plan sponsors have made little progress in addressing individuals’ needs during retirement itself, according to Insight Investment, a sponsor of the NeuGroup for Pension and Benefits’ recent meeting. Retirement anxiety. There is a lot of unease for employees on the verge of retiring, as they worry about funding their non-working lives. It…
Ted Howard
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Pension and Benefits
June 30, 2020

European Pensions Ride the ESG Bandwagon. Will US Plans Catch Up?

In Europe, ESG is gaining traction in pension funds while it still lags a bit in US; raters also need to standardize. While many observers thought environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues would take a back seat amid the pandemic, the opposite has happened, with treasury practitioners—at least in NeuGroup’s universe— seeking more information. Still, as members of the NeuGroup for Pensions and Benefits (NGPG) were told in a virtual meeting in May, it depends on where you are.  How important?…
Antony Michels
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