THE FUTURE OF PENSIONS – DRIVING BETTER OUTCOMES FOR MEMBERS
1 February 2024
Croke Park, Dublin
2024 Agenda
7:45
Registration, Networking and Exhibition Viewing
9:15
WELCOME REMARKS
Shay Cloherty
MD, iQuest/Business Post Live
9:20
OPENING REMARKS FROM THE CHAIR
Claire Brock
News Presenter, Virgin Media Television
CHAMPIONING MEMBERS IN AN EVER-CHANGING WORLD
9:30
GOVERNMENT ADDRESS
The pension landscape 2024 and beyond
Heather Humphreys
Minister for Social Protection, Department of Social Protection
9:45
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Are new pension models driving better member outcomes?
Shane O’Farrell
Director of Corporate Partnerships, Irish Life
10:05
CASE STUDY
Boosting member engagement in your organisation
David Boylan
Retirement Programme Manager, Intel Ireland
10:20
PANEL DISCUSSION
Auto-enrolment (AE) is key, but knowledge is power
If the focus is on delivering better outcomes, is simply boosting pension coverage enough? Being in a pension plan does not automatically deliver an idyllic lifestyle in retirement. Factors like inertia and low financial literacy mean many members don’t understand how much they are saving, or the outcome that it’s likely to deliver when the time comes. With a no-frills auto-enrolment (AE) model on the horizon, and master trusts now setting a high bar when it comes to members supports, we look at the hows and whys of connecting and educating members about pensions and their wider finances.
How can employers improve how they manage and develop people as they age?
How can employers deal with factors like inertia and low financial literacy?
What methods can be used to connect and educate members about pensions and their wider finances?
What other solutions are there are available to business both now and in the future?
James Skehan
Retirement Planning (RPA) Lecturer with LIA
Fiona Mullally
Head of Client Services - Pension & Risk, Irish Life Corporate Business
Paul Torsney
Head of Trustee Services, Law Debenture Pension Trustees Ireland
Laura Farrell
CEO, Retirement Planning Council of Ireland (RPCI)
11:00
PRESENTATION
Behavioural finance and member outcomes – why people find it hard to plan for their future
Better governance, better risk-adjusted after-tax returns, better member retention and, ultimately, better retirement incomes. These are some of the key benefits that behavioural finance can potentially deliver to major super funds and their members. This presentation will outline some of the key applications of behavioural finance for major super funds and how to measure the benefits for funds and their members.
Dr Féidhlim McGowan
Lecturer in Economics (above the Bar), Department of Economics, University of Galway and Research Affiliate, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI)
11:15
Networking Coffee Break & Exhibition Viewing
New world, new outlooks: hot topics on the horizon today
11:45
PRESENTATION
UK Insights- Lessons from more than 10 years of Auto Enrolment and more recent Master Trust consolidation, including a wider approach to Value for Money and looking forward to the next set of changes on the horizon
Paul Leandro
APFS, Partner, Barnett Waddington
12:05
SPOTLIGHT ON……
How ESG is evolving
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) is focused on building a more sustainable future by investing your money in companies and funds that meet strict environmental, social and governance criteria. By considering these additional factors, investors and pension providers can invest your savings in companies that drive positive change in the world.
Niall O’Leary
Chief Sustainability Officer, Irish Life Investment Managers
12:25
PANEL DISCUSSION
NEW WORLD, NEW OUTLOOKS: HOT TOPICS ON THE HORIZON TODAY
The new world of continuing market volatility and geo-political instability is looking very different to what it did in the last 12 months and has changed the game for pension schemes. There are a whole host of repercussions surrounding regulations, investments and operations. This panel will reflect on what 2024 and beyond might have in store for pension schemes.
Are new pension models driving better member outcomes?
Why workplace pension provision is a key tool for businesses when it comes to attracting and retaining talent.
Sarah McCague
Partner, Arthur Cox
Paul Leandro
APFS, Partner, Barnett Waddington
Martin McAlister
Senior Manager, Pensions, PwC
Niall O’Leary
Chief Sustainability Officer, Irish Life Investment Managers
1:00
Networking Lunch Break & Exhibition Viewing
Future focus: key catalysts in the future or workplace benefits
2:00
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Holistic financial planning: balancing lifetime liabilities and wellbeing
Eoin McGee
Certified Financial Planner, Radio & TV Broadcaster, Author and Podcast Host
2:20
SPOTLIGHT ON…Artificial Intelligence (AI)
How AI will shape the future of workplace benefit provision
How AI can help schemes access cost-effective ways to improve the services they offer to members, like retirement modelling tools, or helping identify risks of pension scams or fraud.
Michael Dowling
Professor of Finance, DCU Business School
2:40
PANEL DISCUSSION
The key catalysts that will shape the future of pensions and workplace benefit provision
We examine factors like the introduction of ultimate retirement benefit drawdown, the evolution of ESG and the shift in focus toward more holistic financial wellbeing and discuss how Artificial Intelligence (AI) might change the (workplace benefits provision) landscape for the future.
What are the emerging trend in holistic financial planning and wellbeing?
What technologies are changing the landscape for future pensions?
Wendy McKeown
Head of Financial Planning, Unio Wealth Management
Ian Moynihan
Director of Propositions, Irish Life
Eoin McGee
Certified Financial Planner, Radio & TV Broadcaster, Author and Podcast Host
Michael Dowling
Professor of Finance, DCU Business School
3:10
CLOSING REMARKS FROM THE CHAIR
Claire Brock
News Presenter, Virgin Media Television