15 September 2021
To what extent will an increased focus on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) improve member outcomes?
Changes made in 2018 to the Occupational Pension Schemes (Investment) Regulations 2005 required that pension scheme trustees outline their ESG policy in their Statement of Investment Principles (‘SIP’). The European Union later introduced the Shareholder Rights Directive II which has necessitated further disclosures since October 2020¹. Pension schemes are not the only entities affected by ESG reporting as companies are required to make reports in accordance with the Taskforce for Climate Related Financial Disclosures (‘TCFD’). The Financial Reporting Council (‘FRC’) also recommends that public interest entities report against the disclosures of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (‘SASB’)². It is clear that there is an increased focus on ESG principles. Appropriately implemented, ESG policies can improve outcomes for members - both as employees and as pension scheme beneficiaries.
Find out More
16 July 2021
Pensions Aspects July/Aug 2021
Judgement day. Read the latest issue policy and challenges.
Find out More
16 July 2021
A stronger Pensions Regulator
The Pension Schemes Act 2021 (the Act) brought with it a raft of new offences, both criminal and civil, as well as extended informationgathering and interviewing powers, to enable The Pensions Regulator (TPR) to fulfil its “clearer, quicker, and tougher” mantra.
Find out More
16 July 2021
A trustee effectiveness review: a tool to help trustees
We know that not everyone finds the idea of a trustee effectiveness review appealing. Many feel such a review will take up time that could be better spent dealing with scheme issues, and the prospect of a list of improvements for busy trustees is not attractive. However, a periodic review of how trustees are operating collectively will be time well-invested and is an essential requirement for a well-run scheme.
Find out More
16 July 2021
A roadmap to responsible investing
In an ever-changing landscape for institutional investors, there is an industry-wide acknowledgement of the increasingly important role that responsible investing has to play in managing a well-diversified portfolio. More and more fiduciaries recognise that the incorporation of environmental, social and governance (ESG) risk factors can materially impact portfolio risk and return, as well as help bring the portfolio into closer alignment with an organisation’s mission and broader goals. With that, investors want to ensure they are investing responsibly and integrating ESG factors into their portfolios appropriately. The difficulty for some that are at the start of this journey lies in knowing how and where to begin.
Find out More
16 July 2021
Will the new TPR super code improve scheme governance?
The consultation on The Pensions Regulator’s (TPR’s) new Code of Practice closed on 26 May. Whilst we await the outcome of the consultation, given the aspiration to put the Code into practice by the end of 2021, it may be that changes are limited. Assuming they are, will the Code improve scheme governance?
Find out More