December 2024

Aon UK DC Pension Tracker – Q3 2024: State Pension increase drives rise in savers’ expected incomes

By Aon Over Q2 as a whole, the Aon UK DC Tracker rose which suggests the expected future living standard in retirement provided by defined contribution (DC) savings was higher than at the end of the previous quarter. All members benefited from the April 2024 increase in the state pension, which increased from £10,600 to £11,500 per year. The oldest saver saw the largest proportionate increase from this change as the state pension makes up a larger proportion of their expected retirement income. Positive returns...

The Economics of Net Zero Banking

By Adair Morse & Parinitha R. Sastry Banks have voluntarily committed to align their lending portfolios with a net zero path toward a decarbonized economy. In this review, we explore the economic channels for why portfolio decarbonization might be consistent with lender profit maximization. We frame the question by positing that net zero lending may create differential value through the channels of risk and returns, where return topics span profit margins and lending book growth arguments. We then use the lens of...

November 2024

Global Investor Insights Survey: Pension funds results

By Schroders The Schroders Global Investor Insights Survey analyses the investment perspectives of global financial professionals on a range of topics including macro themes, sustainability and public and private markets. The respondents represent a spectrum of institutions, including pension funds which are the focus of this report.​ The field work was carried out by CoreData Research via an extensive global survey during June–July 2024. The 420 pension fund respondents were split as follows: 28% Corporate DB, 14% Corporate DC, 13% Corporate Hybrid...

2024 Top 40 Money Managers Report: To divest or engage?

By Blake Wolfe With 15 different client organizations, including nine public sector pension plans, the Alberta Investment Management Corp. has opted to engage, rather than divest, from certain investments, particularly those in the energy sector. “One of the things we were very clear on, both for ourselves and in talking to clients, is that divestment wasn’t the way we wanted to go,” says Carmen Velasquez, the investment organization’s managing director of sustainable investing. “One of the things we talk a lot...

October 2024

The Sustainable Investment Report 2024

By Dan Wills We are delighted to present the latest in our IFA Annual Report Series; The Sustainable Investment Report 2024. There are many facets of sustainability and companies are having to change their processes and behaviours to work towards our sustainable future. Researched and written by leading Compliance Consultant Tony Catt, this report is intended to provide a snapshot of the current situation and thinking from across the industry, in relation to the matter of sustainability in investment solutions. Get the report...

September 2024

Positioning for change: Public pensions after the great moderation

By Institutional Investor Survey   Investors apparently predict 2023 will look much like 2022, as rising interest rates and market volatility also remained top of mind for decision-makers. They also forecasted another tough period for investment returns next year. Concerns over inflation and a potential economic downturn loomed large in our survey as asset allocation influences.1 The top three concerns for these decision-makers are the need to navigate high inflation, market volatility and rising interest rates. Get the report here

May 2024

Global top 300 pension funds. A Thinking Ahead Institute and Pensions & Investments joint study

By The Thinking Ahead Institute and Pensions & Investments The global top 300 pension funds is an annual study conducted by the Thinking Ahead Institute, in conjunction with Pensions and Investments. The research highlights high-level trends in the pension fund industry and provides information on how the characteristics of these top funds have changed. Get the report here

ESG and sustainable finance – issues for pension schemes and their sponsors

By Travers Smith As understanding develops, pension schemes are being prompted to consider how ESG and wider sustainability factors may affect the financial performance of their investments, as well as their relationship with sponsoring employers.  In some cases, stakeholders are starting to enquire about levels of activism from their pension schemes in this area, often highlighting the wider economic and social role of pension funds as major asset owners.  Diversity and governance considerations are also attracting increasing focus. Get the report...

Green Pensions Guide. A short guide for organisations greening their money

By Make My Money Matter  All organisations from businesses to charities, from SMEs to global brands can play an important role in tackling the climate crisis. Sustainability policies have become an expected standard across all sectors and industries, yet one of the ways organisations can have the most impact is often missing from the picture. Their money. How our pensions are invested now will shape the future we’ll retire into. The companies causing irreversible climate damage like companies at the...

How Hidden Costs Undermine Public Pensions in the US

 By Richard Ennis Public pension plans in the US incur exorbitant asset management costs. Most spend a lot and get nothing for it. High cost has hindered efforts to realize their actuarial return requirement. It has resulted in poor performance pretty much across the board. And yet, very few plans provide a full accounting of the costs they incur. Some still fail to net all their investment expenses from the returns they report. High cost is the Achilles heel of...