ESG Club


first two in-person PLSA conferences since before the pandemic (our Invest- ment Conference in Edinburgh and our Local


Authority Conference in the


Cotswolds), with the next instalment – Annual Conference 2022 – imminently upon us.


Nigel Peaple is director of policy and advo- cacy at the PLSA


THOUGHT PROVOKING AGENDA WILL WELCOME DELEGATES BACK TO THE PLSA’S FIRST IN- PERSON ANNUAL CONFERENCE


So far, 2022 has been a big year for the pensions industry. With substantial work being undertaken for the imminent arrival of pensions dashboards, the application of Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures reporting for a greater number of schemes, the on-going challenges for defined contribution (DC) schemes of GMP reconciliation, and managing pen- sion investments as global asset markets respond to the growing risk of recession – it’s been a busy time for everyone in- volved in the sector.


The PLSA has been busy on the indus- tries behalf as well.


Producing a report on industry adoption of new DC decumulation strategies simi- lar to those set out in the PLSA’s Guided Retirement Income Choices proposals, writing a report with the Association of British Insurers (ABI) on how to address the challenges of small DC pots, and drafting a PLSA report on the challenges and opportunities facing the local govern- ment pension scheme has kept us occu- pied. As have responding to numerous government consultations, making sure the Retirement Living Standards momen- tum continues, and helping spearhead, with the ABI, the launch of the UK’s first pensions engagement season – known as Pay your Pensions Some Attention. And on top of all that, we have held our


30 | portfolio institutional | September 2022 | issue 116


And with so much already having hap- pened this year and plenty more in the pipeline, there is – as usual – a lot to speak about in this year’s edition of the UK’s largest pensions conference. The PLSA’s Annual Conference – held this year in Liverpool on Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 October – is the perfect place for delegates to join the policy driv- ers,


PI Partnership – PLSA


disruptors, engagers and thought leaders to discuss all things pensions. This year’s conference takes a look at how can people save enough for retirement while the cost of living spirals and how can tools like the Retirement Living Standards and pensions dashboards help savers with the decisions that matter. It also will delve into what are schemes’ latest investment priorities in an era of active stewardship and ESG and how can we ensure the regulatory environment works for all schemes, and enough flexi- bility for defined benefits?


The programme will look at a wide range of subjects with a variety of speakers talk- ing delegates through the sessions kick- ing off with a talk on Wednesday about PLSA policy proposals for improving the UK pensions system so that more people will have a better income in retirement. Moving on from that, focus shifts to the pensions dashboard and with less than five months from the beginning of an 18-month period for all schemes to con- nect to the pensions dashboards ecosys- tem, our panel will give a detailed update on pensions dashboards and what pen- sion funds must do to be ready for them. The first day’s afternoon will see discus- sions on a variety issues including what we can expect from the second part of The Pensions Regulator’s DB Funding Code proposals that are due out this


autumn as well as looking at the climate crisis that has driven a financial services regulatory revolution in the last few years. The second of the two days will continue the influx of though-provoking material with a session kicking off the day that asks the question, how can we make sav- ings attractive? Here the panel will explore how the industry can make people inter- ested in their pensions and why would people prioritise pensions when they are not interesting, not immediate and no help with today’s cost of living? There will also be a keynote speech from pensions minister Guy Opperman reflect- ing on his time in office and sets out where are we now, his priorities for tack- ling current challenges and his vision for the next two years before finishing off with esteemed journalist and broadcaster Clive Myrie, who will give his thoughts on the increasing de-globalisation, ongoing international conflict and growing risks for a global recession. It’s a full-on two-day schedule and one that is sure to leave something with every- one who attends to think about when they return to their workplaces. More than anything, with this being the PLSA’s first in-person Annual Conference since 2019, we are looking forward to see- ing everyone back together again. This conference gives us the opportunity to strengthen existing relationships while also forging new ones.


Through our continued work as an indus- try, and sharing of new ideas and ways of working, we can try and help to ensure that the millions of people saving into workplace pensions can achieve a better income in retirement. For more information about the confer- ence – and how you can get tickets – visit www.plsa.co.uk.


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