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Article
Publication date: 1 August 1997

Edward J. Zychowicz

This paper examines the formation of pension plans from a corporate finance perspective. The theoretical underpinnings for selecting a defined‐benefit or defined‐contribution plan…

Abstract

This paper examines the formation of pension plans from a corporate finance perspective. The theoretical underpinnings for selecting a defined‐benefit or defined‐contribution plan are discussed and used to form empirically testable hypotheses. Linear probability and logit models are used to identify corporate financial characteristics that affect the likelihood of forming a defined‐benefit or defined‐contribution plan. The results strongly indicate that firms with high degrees of debt and intangible assets are least likely to form defined‐benefit plans in a post‐reversion situation, while firm size enhances the probability of forming defined‐benefit plans. The growth in private retirement plans over the past quarter century has made pension fund management a critical concern for many financial managers. The total amount of assets in private pension plans amounted to approximately $150 billion in 1970, while this figure was about $2 trillion in 1989. A corresponding trend to this growth has been an acceleration in the formation of defined‐contribution plans relative to defined‐benefit plans. In 1975 about 29 percent of all plans were defined‐contribution plans, and 71 percent were defined‐benefit plans. In contrast, defined‐contribution plans comprised 55 percent of all plans in 1988, while 45 percent were defined‐benefit plans.1 Gustman and Steinmeier (1987) suggest that the shift to defined‐contribution plans in recent years may be attributable to shifts in jobs in the economy away from the manufacturing sector and toward the service sector. Furthermore, the role of unions, firm size, and administrative costs have also been sighted as factors which partially explain the economy wide shift toward defined‐contribution plans (see Gustman and Steinmeier (1989), Clark and McDermed (1990), and Kruse (1991)). In this paper, we address the pension choice by examining the formation of individual plans from a corporate finance perspective. Specifically, we examine the pension choice issue when firms are faced with making this decision after the termination of an overfunded defined‐benefit plan. The remainder of this paper is organized as follows. Section I discusses the possible motives for selecting one plan over the other, and develops testable hypotheses. The data and methodology are discussed in section II, while section III presents the empirical results. Section IV summarizes and concludes the paper.

Details

Managerial Finance, vol. 23 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4358

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2000

Nicholas Terry and Phil White

Employers offer pension plans for two main reasons: paternalism and skills market competitiveness. Recent changes in legislation and business practice have prompted the scrutiny…

592

Abstract

Employers offer pension plans for two main reasons: paternalism and skills market competitiveness. Recent changes in legislation and business practice have prompted the scrutiny of the underpinnings for such a management tradition. Identifies several relevant factors that derive from: field work undertaken by the authors; the Pensions Act 1995; and recent changes to corporations tax. It is argued that what has emerged is a sharply focused trade‐off, relating to the asset and liability characteristics of employer‐based pension schemes. This questions the sustainability of all types of pension plans, and thereby has a place in strategies affecting financial planning and business development.

Details

Employee Relations, vol. 22 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0142-5455

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1984

Milton Nektarios

Since the Second World War, public pension plans have played an increasingly important role in providing retirement income for older people in most industrial societies. The…

Abstract

Since the Second World War, public pension plans have played an increasingly important role in providing retirement income for older people in most industrial societies. The leading factor that led to the development of public pension systems is the failure of private inter‐generational and inter‐temporal transfers to make adequate provision for old age.

Details

International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 11 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0306-8293

Article
Publication date: 27 February 2007

Howard Flight

This paper seeks to evaluate the Pensions White Paper proposals against down to earth and relatively obvious objectives and criteria; and to suggest some options – no matter how…

511

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to evaluate the Pensions White Paper proposals against down to earth and relatively obvious objectives and criteria; and to suggest some options – no matter how politically difficult – which need to be considered.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper assesses eight objectives which the White Paper should meet, namely: increasing retirement saving and reducing the savings gap; adequate minimum income for all aged over 75; incentives for retirement saving; simpler retirement saving products; tidying up state saving schemes; public sector and private pension provisioning; retirement saving products and arrangements for changing times; and stability for the future.

Findings

The White Paper has the hallmarks of a compromise and politically crafted palliative, which is in danger of having unintended and contrarian effects towards reducing rather than increasing pension savings.

Originality/value

The paper offers a critical appraisal of the Pensions White Paper proposals.

Details

Journal of Financial Regulation and Compliance, vol. 15 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1358-1988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 1980

David Fanning

Highlighting the likely development of substantial actuarial deficits in pension funds providing final salary‐linked retirement benefits, this paper draws attention to the very…

Abstract

Highlighting the likely development of substantial actuarial deficits in pension funds providing final salary‐linked retirement benefits, this paper draws attention to the very real dangers of unfunded pension liability. It identifies the drain on the corporate life blood of maintaining present levels of pension fund contributions, and argues for the return to the state scheme of contracted‐out pension schemes.

Details

Managerial Finance, vol. 6 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4358

Article
Publication date: 28 January 2020

Ehi Eric Esoimeme

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new approach to curbing pension fraud in Nigeria. The approach involves the use of anti-money laundering tools, procedures and expertise…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new approach to curbing pension fraud in Nigeria. The approach involves the use of anti-money laundering tools, procedures and expertise to advance the fight against pension fraud in Nigeria. The guidance is non-binding and does not override the purview of the National Pension Commission. The intention is to build on the revised procedures on the processing of death benefits and to complement existing circulars and guidelines issued by the National Pension Commission, including in particular the guidelines for compliance officers.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis took the form of a desk study, which analyzed various documents and reports, such as the Financial Action Task Force (2012-2018), International Standards on Combating Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation (the FATF Recommendations); the Financial Action Task Force Guidance on the Risk-Based Approach to Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing: High Level Principles and Procedures; National Pension Commission Regulations for Compliance Officers; the Joint Money Laundering Steering Group Guidance for the United Kingdom Financial Sector Part I, June 2017 [Amended December 2017] and the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering Examination Manual 2014.

Findings

This paper determined that a strong due diligence process where the owner of the pension account and the next-of-kin/legal beneficiary are duly identified before the establishment of a business relationship is capable of reducing the risks associated with pension fraud to the barest minimum. This paper also determined that anti-money laundering measures, such as record keeping, suspicious transactions reporting, training for anti-fraud/money laundering compliance and an independent audit of systems and controls can help curb pension fraud.

Research limitations/implications

Pension fraud involves the use of deceit or misrepresentation in connection with a pension claim. There are many different kinds of pension fraud, but the type where the fraud is aimed at stealing a person’s pension funds is what this paper is concerned with.

Originality/value

Although most publications on pension fraud are focused on anti-fraud measures, this paper focuses on the anti-money laundering measures which can be used by Pension Fund Administrators to curb pension fraud.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 27 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 November 2005

David Laws

Abstract

Details

Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, vol. 6 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-7794

Abstract

Details

Journal of Financial Regulation and Compliance, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1358-1988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1975

THE GOVERNMENT'S White Paper, “Strategy for Pensions” and the consequent legislation, which will be implemented this year, aims to introduce the principle and practice of…

Abstract

THE GOVERNMENT'S White Paper, “Strategy for Pensions” and the consequent legislation, which will be implemented this year, aims to introduce the principle and practice of guaranteeing employees minimum standards of pension provision and minimum benefits for their dependants. The State will provide a flat basic pension which will be constantly revised in line with average earnings and — on top of this — a second tier pension related to pay. This second tier pension can be provided instead by means of contracted‐out private occupational schemes. The conditions for contracting out and the problems of introducing an occupational scheme confronts employers with challenging policy decisions and major administrative burdens. This survey by leading specialists in the pensions field identifies the alternatives and points the way to an effective scheme for your company.

Details

Industrial Management, vol. 75 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-6929

Article
Publication date: 1 February 2001

The claimants who were the Appellants in this case were a Mrs Gorham, widow of Mr Gorham, and her two young children. Mr Gorham had been employed by British Telecommunications…

Abstract

The claimants who were the Appellants in this case were a Mrs Gorham, widow of Mr Gorham, and her two young children. Mr Gorham had been employed by British Telecommunications plc (BT) between 2nd April, 1991 until his death on 5th September, 1994. Upon joining BT, Mr Gorham was informed by BT that he was eligible to join the defined benefit occupational pension scheme. He was sent a booklet about the scheme, which contained an opting‐out form at the back and stated that if this form were not completed he would automatically be joined into the scheme. He did not complete the form but pension contributions were, at his oral instructions, never deducted from his salary and that fact was apparent from his monthly pay slip. The judge at first instance found as a matter of fact that Mr Gorham believed he was not a member of the BT scheme until October 1992 from which date onwards he believed that he was a member of it. In autumn 1991 Mr Gorham contacted Standard Life Assurance Company (Standard Life)and was contacted by a Mr Cornwell, a customer representative of Standard Life. The Gorhams completed and signed a Standard Life Personal Information Questionnaire which prioritised Family Protection followed by Retirement Planning and House Purchase. Mr Cornwell's recommendations based on the information supplied to him from the Gorhams (who were described in the Standard Life correspondence as client and spouse) included transfer of accrued pensions rights with Mr Gorham's previous employer to a personal pension contract and payment into that contract by Mr Gorham of monthly premiums of £80, along with a small amount of life cover at a cost of £5 per month. In November 1992 Mr Gorham, having read the BT pension booklet and discovering that he could not be a member of both the BT scheme and have a personal pension, telephoned the Standard Life helpline to be told that the BT pension scheme was preferable to a personal pension scheme. At that stage he stopped paying contributions into the Standard Life pension scheme. Despite his earlier belief that he had not been a member of the BT scheme the judge at first instance found as a matter of fact that from autumn 1992 onwards he believed he was now a member of the scheme because of his failure to return the opting‐out form at the back of the BT pension scheme booklet. In fact he was not and pension contributions were still not being deducted from his salary. As a result of his failure to join the scheme either in 1991 or in 1992 when he died in 1994 his widow and children received considerably less than if he had been a member. Mrs Gorham sued Standard Life for breach of tortuous duty of care owed to her and the children and was awarded £114,282.61 for her and the children on the basis that she would have been paid that sum, part of it as trustee for the children, if her husband had become a member of the BT occupational scheme. This sum represented the capital value of Mr Gorham's loss of pension rights but the judge at first instance declined to award a further £120,000 which would have represented lump sum death benefits payable to dependants of BT scheme members which would have been payable had Mr Gorham joined the scheme and had two years qualifying service.

Details

Journal of Financial Regulation and Compliance, vol. 9 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1358-1988

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