Matthew Craig
- Case Studies
Case study: Berkshire sets up longevity insurance
The Royal County of Berkshire was one of the first local authorities in the UK to hedge its longevity risk. Nick Greenwood, pension fund manager for the Royal County of Berkshire Pension Fund, wanted to reduce volatility around the scheme's assets and liabilities, making the employer contributions more stable and ...
- Case Studies
Case study: Diageo offers liquid assets
In its efforts to reduced its DB scheme’s deficit, Diageo, which owns a number of Scotch whisky distilleries, contributed £430 million in maturing whisky to a joint venture. This will cut the scheme deficit of almost £900 million and reduce the levy charged by the Pension Protection Fund (PPF). This ...
- Analysis
Employers adopt strategies to de-risk defined benefit pensions
If you read nothing else, read this...
- Analysis
Pensions roundtable: Financial education is vital
Getting staff interested in financial matters is not easy, but it is a necessity when it comes to pensions, says Matthew Craig
- Analysis
Pensions roundtable: How to offer a defined contribution pension
In the past, defined benefit (DB) plans operated on a trust basis - a proven format offered along with independent oversight supplied by a board of trustees assisted by professional advisers.
- Analysis
Pensions roundtable: Sound business reasons to offer a good pension scheme
A good pension can attract talented staff and enhance an employer's reputation, says Matthew Craig
- Analysis
Pensions roundtable: Savings culture needed in workforce
Encouraging a savings culture among employees will boost interest in pensions, says Matthew Craig
- Analysis
Pensions roundtable: Make sure staff see the value of pensions
Employers and staff both need to see the true value of perks, says Matthew Craig
- Analysis
Pre-retirement priorities for contract-based pension scheme members
As DC scheme members approach retirement age, key actions are needed to ensure they will receive the future income they require, says Matthew Craig
- 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 Craig
- Analysis
Pension decumulation's role in employee retirement planning
Employers are paying more attention to pension decumulation to help staff understand the options in the run up to retirement, says Matthew Craig
- Analysis
Why group self invested personal pensions (Sipps) are becoming popular in the workplace
Group self-invested personal pensions are gaining popularity in the workplace because they have something extra to offer, says Matthew Craig
- Analysis
The cost to pension plans of longer life expectancy
Employers must contemplate strategies to tackle the risk of longer life expectancies, says Matthew Craig
- Analysis
How annual management charges can reduce pensions savings
Annual management charges can have a significant impact on the growth of investments if a pension scheme is set up on a commission basis, so employers may need some hard negotiations, says Matthew Craig
- Analysis
New trends for DC pension default funds
Most defined contribution pension members use schemes' default funds, but investment trends are changing, says Matthew Craig
- Analysis
Special report: Defined contribution pensions
• Employees need to be educated about the importance of investments in contract-based DC plans.
- Analysis
Update on pensions accounting standards
UK: Accounting Standards BoardFinancial Reporting of Pensions discussion paper issued 31 January 2008, written with European standard-setters to influence the debate on accounting for pensions.
- Analysis
Planning for personal accounts in the run up to 2012
The introduction of personal accounts (PA) in 2012 may seem like yet another periodic reorganisation of the British pension system, but finance directors should not underestimate its potential impact.
- Analysis
Transferring staff out of defined benefit pensions to reduce liabilities
Employers’ concerns over defined benefit liabilities should ensure that enhanced value transfers are here to stay, Matthew Craig reports.