PMI’s Annual Conference 2024

As the pensions landscape evolves, regulatory frameworks must adapt to foster innovation while protecting consumers. In this panel discussion, chaired by Mike Birch, experts Susie Daykin, James Longster, and David Craddock will explore the regulatory challenges and opportunities surrounding the integration of technology and AI in the pension sector. They will discuss some of the potential "use cases" in the pensions space and explore the regulatory, governance and other issues that trustees should be thinking about when AI is used.

How can pension funds streamline their exposure to private assets?

Investment in private markets is on the rise, as capital allocators are pressed to achieve higher potential risk-adjusted returns, access a broader range of alternative asset classes, while seeking to benefit from additional portfolio diversification.

With a growing range of structures available that provide exposure to private assets and positive pension industry reform, UK pension funds are well positioned to capitalise on new investment opportunities.

In this panel, senior representatives from the London Stock Exchange and Infrared Capital Partners will cover the following topics:
• Accelerating the pace of pension reforms and the new aspirations for pension capital
• Accessing alternative and difficult-to-source assets via listed investment companies
• PISCES regulation: A new market facilitating direct access to shares in private companies
• Active asset management: what is the value for money and how is it delivered to the investor?

The retirement landscape is changing rapidly, as the industry shifts from defined benefit plans to defined contribution plans, meaning individuals have more responsibility and choice over how they save and spend their retirement income.

To support individuals achieve better outcomes in retirement, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has proposed a new requirement on pension schemes to offer their members retirement products and services that meet their needs and preferences. The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has also put forward a number of principles for how it wants the 'at retirement' market to develop, such as ensuring good governance, clear communication, and appropriate investment strategies.

In this session, we will share insights from the UK and overseas on how the industry can respond to these changes and provide DC members with a sustainable income in later life. We will discuss solutions that manage the journey both to and through retirement, and the need for combining investment, technology and lifetime income into default design.

Unifying a Fractured Landscape: The Future of Pension Transfers

Occupational pension transfers in the UK are in flux. Manual processes, legacy technology and a mix of disparate systems still contribute to long transfer times and poor outcomes for consumers. But a more unified and streamlined pension transfer space is coming into being.

Attend this session to find out how pension transfers have been evolving over the past decade—including why, already increasing transfer volumes, are set to increase even faster going forward.

Discover how the effects of recent and future initiatives such as those from DWP and TPR could impact transfers. And hear how integration and automation are streamlining the transfer process in the occupational pensions world.

A forward-looking analysis of the regulatory landscape and its implications for the DB de-risking market, including anticipated regulatory reforms and their expected impacts on insurer decision-making, from risk management to the investment universe.

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Panel discussion: Harnessing AI for personalised retirement planning