Pensions Conference 2024

Registration Open

9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

Chair's Opening

9:45 a.m. (15 min.)

Welcome address.

A New, New Normal

10:00 a.m. (25 min.)

The new, new normal is higher policy rates and higher bond yields. This creates several potential vulnerabilities for markets and economies. Higher rates together with high levels of public debt has created tougher fiscal dynamics, and reduced policy room in the event of future shocks. Higher rates also means that asset allocators will increasingly shift towards credit and alternatives when building portfolios. Will this create vulnerabilities for equity markets? Or are there exciting opportunities in Artificial Intelligence and elsewhere which mean that this time it really will be different?

Interactive Investment

10:25 a.m. (45 min.)

How would you respond if an extreme event impacted your scheme’s DB portfolio or members’ DC portfolios? Our team of experts will use various real-world scenarios to bring to life high-impact events and their effect on sponsors, trustees, members and portfolios. Inspired by real events which have directly impacted portfolios in the past, you’ll have a chance to consider in real time how you would tackle these events, as well as hearing from others what their response would be.

Morning Break

11:10 a.m. (25 min.)

Better Defined Contribution Pensions

11:35 a.m. (20 min.)

DC pensions are increasingly under the spotlight, quite rightly as they rapidly become the main source of retirement savings for UK workers.

The Mansion House speech pushed forward the intent to introduce a consistent framework to measure value for all types of DC schemes across trustee and corporate.

We look to provide practical steps for those running DC schemes to help them focus on the right areas to ensure they are improving value and not just ticking the compliance boxes. Our DC experts will share some examples of schemes turning compliance exercises into value considerations to drive genuine improvements and deliver better DC pensions.

Running On For Better Sponsor and Member Outcomes

In a market where buyout is presumed to be the best solution to secure member’s pensions, our experts review the industry narrative. They will demonstrate why most insurable Defined Benefit schemes may already be secure and the benefits available from not insuring even when you can afford to.

For schemes that are considering run-on our experts will consider why maintaining some investment risk may be the right solution for long-term portfolios.

Covenant: Are Pension Schemes Insecure?

11:55 a.m. (10 min.)

Actively Running On: The Business Case

12:05 p.m. (10 min.)

Investing for Run-on

12:15 p.m. (15 min.)

Lunch Break

12:30 p.m. (60 min.)

Chair's Update

1:30 p.m. (15 min.)

Highlights of topical pensions issues that are not covered anywhere else on the agenda.

Net Zero - What’s the Plan?

1:45 p.m. (15 min.)

The conversation on climate change continues to advance around the globe, with the goal of achieving net zero gaining momentum. Achieving net zero emissions is critical to managing the destructive potential of climate change.

But how can pension schemes actually achieve net zero? Is it possible? This session session will discuss the steps that you can take to make progress against a net zero emissions target, to ensure that there is action behind the words.

Developing Your Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Journey

2:00 p.m. (15 min.)

We have been talking about different aspects of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) over the last five years and what has become clear to us is that each client is starting from a different place and their path is truly unique. This session introduces several case studies and shares with you material to support your EDI journey.

Evolution of Pension Freedoms

2:15 p.m. (15 min.)

The Mansion House reforms highlighted the significant number of people now saving into a DC pension and the fact that many more will have to make important yet complex decisions about how they want to access their pension savings. We look at the choices available to members at retirement including through Collective Defined Contribution (CDC) decumulation solutions and the additional responsibilities on schemes and trustees through the introduction of an industry wide decumulation framework. Our CDC and DC experts will share their thoughts on the steps that schemes should take in readiness for change.

Afternoon Break

2:30 p.m. (20 min.)

Pensions in the Digital Age

2:50 p.m. (20 min.)

With “one-click” purchase options on Amazon and using biometrics to transfer funds from your bank account, the pensions industry is well behind the curve in technological innovation. With the support of a case study, this session explores how the digital age is influencing member expectations and what the industry can do to evolve to meet this.

The Great Risk Settlement Game

3:10 p.m. (45 min.)

Attention grabbing headlines upon transaction completion are just part of the story of a buy-in transaction, with many aspects to consider before and after signing on the dotted line.

During this interactive table exercise, we put you in the shoes of a transacting scheme to explore some of the hurdles and decisions involved on the journey to settlement.

Chairs Closing

3:55 p.m. (10 min.)

Drinks and Networking

4:05 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (55 min.)