All Analysis articles – Page 95
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Analysis
Co-ordinated approach needed for contract-based pension governance
If you read nothing else, read this...Good governance around contract-based DC pension schemes can be clarified under four broad headings: scheme initiation, scheme design, monitoring and member communications.Employers may decide to set up a governance committee specifically for their DC schemes.Governance provisions should be appropriate to the size of the ...
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Analysis
Interview with: Victoria Nye, chair of the Investment Governance Group sub-group for DC pensions
The Investment Governance Group’s Victoria Nye explains the thinking behind the body’s six principles for DC pension scheme governance to Matthew CraigSetting standards is something of a balancing act. Set them too high and they may appear unattainable and demotivating; set them too low and there seems little point in ...
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Analysis
Make sure defined contribution pension default funds are dependable
Most defined contribution scheme members choose the plan's default fund, so employers should make sure it is not a bad option, says Jenny KeefeIn an episode of The Simpsons, Homer achieves one of his dreams by becoming a Nasa astronaut. It looks like his buddy, Barney, will be the one ...
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Analysis
Company car salary sacrifice schemes speed up
If you read nothing else, read this...A salary sacrifice car scheme can work as a cash-free, cost-neutral benefit for employees, as well as a useful staff retention tool.Expect it to take between three and six months to set up and implement a scheme.This type of scheme can be delivered as ...
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Analysis
Reward incentives for short-term employees
Incentives for short-term employees often call for a different approach by employers, says Ben JonesMotivating permanent employees can be a tricky task for employers at any time, but a greater challenge can be how to give those on short-term contracts the impetus to work effectively and to schedule. This conundrum ...
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Analysis
How is executive reward decided?
Executive reward has come under scrutiny in the downturn. Sam Barrett looks at how remuneration committees decide what to apportion the high-fliersScan the newspapers and you are certain to come across a story about a top executive receiving a fat pay packet. Such remuneration packages often comprise annual salaries in ...
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Analysis
Multinational pooling cuts cost of healthcare insurance
If you read nothing else, read this...- Multinational pooling is a profit-sharing arrangement for global employers that offer insured risk benefits, such as life insurance, in different countries- It is an accountancy mechanism that, in good years, means large employers can earn a rebate, called a dividend, of up to ...
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Analysis
Finding safer investments for defined contribution pension schemes
Stock market volatility has sparked a rethink on de-risking defined contribution pension investments, says Ceri JonesMany pension funds lost a large part of their value during last year's tough economic conditions. The problem is that at least 80% of members of defined contribution (DC) pensions are in default funds, which ...
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Analysis
Salary cap can control final salary pension costs
If you read nothing else, read this...- Capping final salary benefits is one of a number of de-risking measures employers can take to control their pension liabilities.- Increases in pensionable pay may be restricted to anything from zero up to a maximum of 2% to 2.5%, regardless of an employee's ...
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Analysis
Employer profile: Change is the only constant at Cable and Wireless
A demerger is just the latest change at Cable and Wireless, where staff are kept on their toes, says Sarah ColesLast month, Cable and Wireless went through a demerger, spinning off Cable and Wireless International, the telecoms part of the business, from Cable and Wireless Worldwide, the business services arm. ...
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Analysis
Softening the blow of tax increases for high earners
Reward professionals are looking at ways to ease the impact of this month's tax increases for high earners, says Peta HodgeThis month's tax changes for high earners have been exercising the minds of many professionals involved in the recruitment, retention and reward of key staff. The headline change is the ...
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Analysis
Flexible benefits can boost employee engagement
Company-branded flexible benefits plans can promote engagement and reinforce corporate values, says Peta HodgeOne of the main business reasons for an employer to introduce a flexible benefits scheme is to help its employees engage with the organisation’s brand.Staff who are connected with the brand tend to be more productive and ...
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Analysis
Thought leaders: The year ahead 2010
Thought leaders: The year ahead: What is the new vision for employee benefits?Thought leaders: The year ahead: Scottish Widows insight: Employees need education on saving gracesThought leaders: The year ahead: DC members' inertia must be addressedThought leaders: The year ahead: Make sure DB members have the factsThought leaders: The year ...
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Analysis
Thought leaders 2010: The year ahead: Inspiration encourages perspiration
Key PointsInspiring your team to work harder, perform better and drive the business forward is even more critical when you do not have the benefit of inherently positive messages such as bonuses and pay awardsGood reward programmes can generate tangible business resultsTools such as recognition are important in supporting employee ...
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Analysis
Thought leaders 2010: The year ahead: Fairness the new watchword in reward
†Key PointsThe recession made employers question why they had multiple performance management plansThere is a move towards greater fairness in reward as the gap between rich and poor has been seen to widenCommunication and greater openness will be the most important process in 2010 to ensure fair pay and that ...
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Analysis
Thought leaders 2010: The year ahead: Focus on good governance and cost saving
Key PointsInternational benefits managers are likely to adopt the same cautious approach that they did in 2009Sensible benefits managers will work with the finance function to manage benefits riskManagement of global benefits will continue to be centralised†It will be another cautious year for benefits, says Tim Reay, secretary of the ...
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Analysis
Thought leaders: The year ahead: Zurich insight: Worldwide view points the way for pensions
Global pensions provision is becoming increasingly important, says Paul Colley, HR insight and key account manager, Corporate Life and Pensions, Zurich International LifeNearly all European nations are experiencing long-term falls in birth rates. This, coupled with improved healthcare and increased life expectancy, is leading to ageing populations. Fertility rates are ...
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Analysis
Thought leaders 2010: the year ahead: DC members’ inertia must be addressed
Key PointsDefined contribution (DC) schemes will become the predominant form of pension savings for most workers, boosted by the arrival of the national employee savings trust (Nest) in 2012Contract-based schemes can provide all the ‘good bits’ of a DC scheme without the obligations and costs associated with managing a trust-based ...
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Analysis
Thought leaders 2010: The year ahead: Scottish Widows insight: Employees need education on saving graces
More workers are saving for their retirement, but many still need quality education and guidance, says Ann Flynn, head of marketing communications, corporate pensions at Scottish WidowsThe recession has had an impact on all of us. Many feel worse off than they did five years ago, while others are making ...
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Analysis
Thought leaders 2010: The year ahead: Are employers ready for welfare reform?
Key PointsThe Welfare Reform Act places greater responsibility on employers to provide vocational rehabilitation and support to help employees enter and remain in the workplaceAs the Equality Bill goes through parliament, it should give clarity on the legality of ceasing group risk benefits at a specific ageEmployers that maintained the ...