Aon Pensions Podcast

May 2024 – Responsible Investment Trends for Asset Owners In this podcast you will hear the key pension news from the last month summarised by Aon’s Jennifer Michel and John Harney. This month Jennifer and John are joined by Eilidh Wagstaff from the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and Craig Campbell from Aon’s Responsible Investment Team to discuss the key developments of Responsible Investment and the practices asset owners can adopt to be ahead of peers. Further information: Read HMRC’s April Newsletter: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pensions-schemes-newsletter-158-april-2024/newsletter-158-april-2024 Read the Pensions Regulator’s latest review of climate-related disclosures: https://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/media-hub/press-releases/2024-press-releases/review-shows-how-pension-trustees-are-addressing-climate-risks-and-opportunities Read the PRI’s ‘Global responsible investment trends: Inside PRI reporting data’ as mentioned in the interview: https://www.unpri.org/investment-tools/global-responsible-investment-trends-inside-pri-reporting-data/12222.article#storytext-end Read the DWP’s quick start guide for pension trustees regarding the Taskforce on Social Factors as mentioned in the interview: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/considering-social-factors-in-pension-scheme-investments-a-guide-from-the-taskforce-on-social-factors/quick-start-guide-for-pension-trustees Read the FCA’s scenario analysis guide for asset managers: https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/corporate/cfrf-guide-2023-scenario-analysis-guide-asset-managers.pdf Watch the PRI’s ‘A legal framework for impact’: https://www.unpri.org/policy/a-legal-framework-for-impact/4519.article Listen to Aon’s New Investment Insights Podcast: https://soundcloud.com/investment-insights-podcast/episode-1 Email us your topic suggestions, comments and questions to TalkToUs@aon.com

How much progress have schemes made with implementing ESG factors within their investments over the last two years? Jennifer Michel talks to Jennifer O’Neill, Partner at Aon, to find out the key insights from Aon’s Global Pension Risk Survey and understand how schemes can best face ESG risks within their investment strategies. The data and analytics from our recent survey are now available https://www.aon.com/gprs2023 We would be happy to talk to you about the findings, and to put them into context for your own pension scheme. We can also help you to understand where you need to take action to ensure your scheme achieves its target. If you would be interested in receiving a benchmarking report for your scheme, contact your Aon consultant or email us at talktous@aon.com.

April 2024 – Professional Trusteeship In this podcast, you will hear the key pension news from the last month summarised by Aon’s Jennifer Michel and John Harney. This month Jennifer and John are joined by Natalie Winterfrost from Law Debenture and Colin Richardson of Zedra to discuss the advantages and challenges of professional trusteeship, including sole trusteeship, as well as the future of this space. Further information: Email us your topic suggestions, comments and questions to TalkToUs@aon.com

How much progress have schemes made with GMP equalisation projects over the last two years? John Harney talks to Lauren Ramsey, Associate Partner at Aon, to find out the key insights from Aon’s Global Pension Risk Survey and understand how schemes can best navigate the challenges that can arise when completing GMP equalisation. The data and analytics from our recent survey are now available here. We would be happy to talk to you about the findings, and to put them into context for your own pension scheme. We can also help you to understand where you need to take action to ensure your scheme achieves its target. If you would be interested in receiving a benchmarking report for your scheme, contact your Aon consultant or email us at talktous@aon.com.

March 2024 – The Revised PLSA Retirement Living Standards In this podcast, you will hear the key pension news from the last month summarised by Aon’s Jennifer Michel and John Harney. This month Jennifer and John are joined by Chloe Ludden to discuss the recent increase in the PLSA Retirement Living Standards and examples of what schemes are doing to help members with retirement adequacy. Further information: Read the PLSA Retirement Living Standards: [https://www.retirementlivingstandards.org.uk/] Read the Pensions Policy Institute’s Paper: The Underpensioned: Defining the Gender Pension Gap: [https://www.pensionspolicyinstitute.org.uk/media/ysgmnwtl/20240207-underpensioned-defining-the-gender-pension-gap-final.pdf] Watch Aon’s General Code Webinar Replay: [https://www.aon.com/unitedkingdom/retirement-investment/defined-benefit-pensions/webinar-replay-general-code-risk-management] Register for Aon’s 2024 Pension Conference: [https://contact.aon.com/2024PensionConferenceSeriesRegs] Agenda for Aon’s 2024 Pension Conference: [https://img.response.aonunited.com/Web/AonUnited/%7B7a2049e8-1da1-49c8-a46b-7b0b28c8bb1d%7D_Pension_Conference_Agenda_2024_Final.pdf] Read the insights from Aon’s latest DC Pulse survey: https://img.response.aonunited.com/Web/AonUnited/%7Bc2c501ee-5eea-4c26-992d-9a4aa5050541%7D_DC_Today_Issue_3.pdf Learn more about Aon’s DC Today surveys: [https://www.aon.com/unitedkingdom/retirement-investment/defined-contribution/dc-today] Email us your topic suggestions, comments and questions to TalkToUs@aon.com

Member Options and Support What are the latest trends in member options and member support? John Harney talks to Polly Cripps, Associate Partner at Aon, to find out the key insights from Aon’s Global Pension Risk Survey and understand practical steps trustees and sponsors of pension schemes can take to enhance the experience and outcomes for their members. The data and analytics from our recent survey are now available here - https://www.aon.com/gprs2023 We would be happy to talk to you about the findings, and to put them into context for your own pension scheme. We can also help you to understand where you need to take action to ensure your scheme achieves its target. If you would be interested in receiving a benchmarking report for your scheme, contact your Aon consultant or email us at talktous@aon.com.

February 2024 – Pensions risk settlement: reflecting on a record-breaking 2023 In this podcast you will hear the key pension news from the last two months summarised by Aon’s Jennifer Michel and John Harney. This month Jennifer and John are joined by Hatty Goodwin and Leah Evans to discuss the innovations and developments in 2023 in the DB pension risk settlement market, including exclusivity, investment and how things can vary depending on your scheme’s size. Further information: Read Aon’s Risk Settlement bulletin for Q4 2023: [https://www.aon.com/getmedia/a99fe231-a4a5-4a11-9c76-9daf47654cca/Aon-Risk-Settlement-Bulletin-Q4-2023.pdf] Register for Aon’s 2024 Pension Conference: [https://contact.aon.com/2024PensionConferenceSeriesRegs] Agenda for Aon’s 2024 Pension Conference: [https://img.response.aonunited.com/Web/AonUnited/%7B7a2049e8-1da1-49c8-a46b-7b0b28c8bb1d%7D_Pension_Conference_Agenda_2024_Final.pdf] Read the insights from Aon’s latest DC Pulse survey: https://img.response.aonunited.com/Web/AonUnited/%7Bc2c501ee-5eea-4c26-992d-9a4aa5050541%7D_DC_Today_Issue_3.pdf Take part in Aon’s biennial DC survey: [https://sg.aon.nl/s3/S1902987-Aon-2024-DC-Survey?EA=chandrashekhar.gadad%40aon.com] Learn more about Aon’s DC Today surveys: [https://www.aon.com/unitedkingdom/retirement-investment/defined-contribution/dc-today] Email us your topic suggestions, comments and questions to TalkToUs@aon.com

How have UK pension schemes been impacted by rising interest rates and the subsequent impact on funding levels and deficits? Hear key insights from Aon’s Global Pension Risk Survey to how UK schemes are reacting to this from Rupert Kotowski, an Associate Partner in Aon’s investment practice. Rupert also discusses the changes schemes are making to investment strategies and how many are dealing with ESG risk. The data and analytics from our recent survey are now available here. We would be happy to talk to you about the findings, and to put them into context for your own pension scheme. We can also help you to understand where you need to take action to ensure your scheme achieves its target. If you would be interested in receiving a benchmarking report for your scheme, contact your Aon consultant or email us at talktous@aon.com. Download the survey here - https://www.aon.com/gprs2023

Long term targets In this podcast in our series on the Global Pension Risk Survey - UK results, Jennifer Michel speaks to Alastair McIntosh, partner and co-author of the survey, about the long-term targets of pension schemes. What are schemes aiming for as their long-term target and how do they expect to reach their goals? The data and analytics from our recent survey are now available here. We would be happy to talk to you about the findings, and to put them into context for your own pension scheme. We can also help you to understand where you need to take action to ensure your scheme achieves its target. If you would be interested in receiving a benchmarking report for your scheme, contact your Aon consultant or email us at talktous@aon.com.

Highlights from the Global Pension Risk Survey – UK results. In this podcast in our series on the Global Pension Risk Survey - UK results, Jennifer Michel speaks to Aon's Head of UK retirement policy, Matthew Arends, and partner and co-author on the Global Pension Risk Survey, Alastair McIntosh about the highlights of the survey. The main theme since the last survey took place two years ago is that respondents are addressing pensions risks across a multitude of different topics, covering liability risks, investment risks and a range of governance and operational risks. Find out what the top priorities are that schemes are focusing on. The data and analytics from our recent survey are now available here. We would be happy to talk to you about the findings, and to put them into context for your own pension scheme. We can also help you to understand where you need to take action to ensure your scheme achieves its target. If you would be interested in receiving a benchmarking report for your scheme, contact your Aon consultant or email us at talktous@aon.com.

December 2023 – Focusing on DC and DB investment In this podcast you will hear the key pension news from the last month summarised by Aon’s Ricky Marsh. This month Ricky is joined by Steven Leigh and Rupert Kotowski to discuss the investment aspects of Aon’s latest data and analytics, including results from the DC Today pulse surveys and the Global Pension Risk Survey for DB schemes. Further information: Watch the recording of Aon’s Autumn Statement webinar: [https://www.aon.com/unitedkingdom/retirement-investment/defined-benefit-pensions/webinar-autumn-statement-2023] Register for Aon’s 2024 Pension Conference: [https://contact.aon.com/2024PensionConferenceSeriesRegs] Agenda for Aon’s 2024 Pension Conference: [https://img.response.aonunited.com/Web/AonUnited/%7B7a2049e8-1da1-49c8-a46b-7b0b28c8bb1d%7D_Pension_Conference_Agenda_2024_Final.pdf] Watch the recording of Aon’s Global Pension Risk Survey webinar: [https://www.aon.com/unitedkingdom/retirement-investment/defined-benefit-pensions/webinar-global-pension-risk-survey-uk-findings] Read about the key findings from Aon’s Global Pension Risk Survey: [https://www.aon.com/gprs2023] Learn more about Aon’s DC Today surveys: [https://www.aon.com/unitedkingdom/retirement-investment/defined-contribution/dc-today]

November 2023 – Focusing on the Risk Settlement market In this podcast you will hear the key pension news from the last month summarised by Aon’s Ricky Marsh. This month Ricky is joined by Lisa Varley and Mike Edwards to discuss the latest developments in the world of Risk Settlement, including the re-entry of M&G to the market. Further information: Watch the recording of Aon’s ASTRO webinar: [https://www.aon.com/unitedkingdom/retirement-investment/defined-benefit-pensions/webinar-active-run-on]

August 2023 – Focusing on trustee skills In this podcast you will hear the key pension news from the last month summarised by Aon’s Ricky Marsh. This month Ricky is joined by Sarah Butlin and Shelley Fryer to discuss the DWP and HM Treasury’s joint call for evidence on trustee skills and capability, including the role of advisers and barriers to making effective investment decisions. Further information: Access materials on Aon’s Pension Governance Support website: [https://www.aon.com/unitedkingdom/retirement-investment/pension-scheme-governance/index.html] Watch the recording of Aon’s Mansion House Pension Reforms webinar: [https://players.brightcove.net/1509269527/default_default/index.html?videoId=6331487370112&t=45s]

July 2023 – Focusing on the gender pensions gap In this podcast you will hear the key pension news from the last month summarised by Aon’s Ricky Marsh. This month Ricky is joined by Karina Klimaszewski and Alex Hadonou to discuss the gender pensions gap, including insights into what causes the gap and actions that could be taken to address it. Further information: Register for Aon’s Wealth Insights Investment Conference: [https://contact.aon.com/AON_WEALTH_INSIGHTS_CONFERENCE] Watch the recording of Aon’s Annual Funding Statement webinar: [https://www.aon.com/unitedkingdom/retirement-investment/defined-benefit-pensions/webinar-2023-annual-funding-statement] Watch the recording of Aon’s Member Options webinar: [https://www.aon.com/unitedkingdom/retirement-investment/defined-benefit-pensions/webinar-supporting-members-2023-and-beyond]

May 2023 – Focusing on member options and support In this podcast you will hear the key pension news from the last month summarised by Aon’s Ricky Marsh. This month Ricky is joined by Rebecca Peake to discuss the latest developments in member options and support, including insights based on Aon’s latest member options survey. Further information: Watch the recording of Aon’s Pensions Tax webinar: [https://www.aon.com/unitedkingdom/retirement-investment/defined-benefit-pensions/webinar-understanding-spring-2023-pension-tax]

March 2023 – Focusing on cyber risk In this podcast you will hear the key pension news from the last month summarised by Aon’s Ricky Marsh. This month Ricky is joined by David Burwell and Vanessa Jaeger to discuss the latest developments on cyber risk, including what to expect from The Pensions Regulator’s new Code of Practice and some practical options for schemes looking to assess their providers. Further information: Watch the recording of Aon’s CDC webinar: [https://www.aon.com/unitedkingdom/retirement-investment/defined-contribution/collective-defined-contribution/webinar-replay-the-expansion-of-cdc] Watch the highlights from January’s Economic and Market Outlook webinar: [https://players.brightcove.net/1509269527/default_default/index.html?videoId=6319344751112] Register for the 29 March Economic and Market Outlook webinar: [https://contact.aon.com/AONS_ECONOMIC__MARKET_OUTLOOK_WEBINAR_INV]

February 2023 – Focusing on Aon’s DC Today research In this podcast you will hear the key pension news from the last month summarised by Aon’s Ricky Marsh. This month Ricky is joined by Steve Leigh and Karina Klimaszewski to discuss the findings from Aon’s first DC Today survey, which looks at how DC schemes and members are reacting to current economic conditions. Further information: Watch the recording of Aon’s Funding Code webinar: [https://players.brightcove.net/1509269527/default_default/index.html?videoId=6318860529112&t=5m38s] Register for Aon’s 2023 Pensions Conference Series: [https://www.aon.com/2023-pension-conference] Read Aon’s first DC Today report: [https://www.aon.com/unitedkingdom/retirement-investment/defined-contribution/dc-today]

December 2022 – Focusing on longevity In this podcast you will hear the key pension news from the last month summarised by Aon’s Ricky Marsh. This month Ricky is joined by Aon’s Tim Gordon and Matt Fletcher to discuss the latest developments in the world of longevity, including experience over 2022 and the outlook for the future.

November 2022 – Focusing on the Risk Settlement market In this podcast you will hear the key pension news from the last month summarised by Aon’s Ricky Marsh. This month Ricky is joined by Aon’s Lisa Varley and Jamil Merali to discuss the latest developments in the Risk Settlement market, including the impact of recent market volatility and how transactions can affect the member experience. Further information: Read Calum Mackenzie’s Pensions Expert article on LDI: [https://www.pensions-expert.com/Special-Features/CPD/Liquidity-not-solvency-Setting-the-record-straight-on-LDI] Register for Aon’s Breakfast Discussion on Pensions Dashboards: https://app.response.aonunited.com/e/es?s=362693299&e=681087&elqTrackId=78323ff6ea204a078da331ae0a473253&elq=8c7fc82eb57c439fb6412d369389096a&elqaid=26389&elqat=1

October 2022 – Focusing on the impact of the mini-Budget In this podcast you will hear the key pension news from the last month summarised by Aon’s Ricky Marsh. This month, with contributions from Aon’s Tapan Datta, Tim Lock and Maria Johannessen, Ricky looks at the fallout from the new Chancellor’s mini-Budget, including the market reaction and how that has affected pension schemes.