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SYPA Recognised as a Signatory to the UK Stewardship Code
12/02/2025
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We are delighted to announce that SYPA has been confirmed as a signatory to the UK Stewardship Code, a significant milestone that highlights our ongoing commitment to responsible investment and transparency.
The UK Stewardship Code, overseen by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), sets the highest standards for stewardship in the investment industry. It ensures that asset owners, asset managers and service providers act responsibly and effectively to create long-term value for UK savers, pensioners, and the institutions that support them.
At SYPA, responsible investment is a core principle. We believe that strong stewardship is key to delivering sustainable, risk-adjusted returns that benefit our members and stakeholders.
Our Investment Manager, Michael Littlechild, led the submission process and played a key role in securing this recognition. He said: "Becoming a signatory to the UK Stewardship Code reinforces our commitment to responsible investment and transparency. It’s great to see SYPA formally recognised for the work we do to drive positive outcomes for our members and stakeholders."
This recognition reflects the robust stewardship practices we apply across our investment activities, ensuring that we continue to act in the best interests of our members.
To learn more about our approach to stewardship, read our latest Annual Stewardship Report. You can also download it as a PDF using the DOWNLOAD button at the end of this article.
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SYPA To Launch Responsible Investment Survey to Gather Member Views
30/01/2025
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South Yorkshire Pensions Authority (SYPA) is inviting its members to share their views on responsible investment as part of the upcoming review of our Investment Strategy. We are committed to ensuring that our approach considers the priorities and concerns of our members, and your feedback could play a role in shaping the future direction of our investments.
On Tuesday 19th February 2025, members will receive an email containing a link to the Responsible Investment Survey. The survey will be open for three weeks, providing plenty of time to have your say.
To ensure the process is both independent and robust, the survey is being conducted on our behalf by TLF, an experienced research organisation. Your responses will be handled with the utmost care and confidentiality and will remain anonymous. TLF adheres to GDPR regulations, the Market Research Society (MRS) Code of Conduct, the Data Protection Act and is ISO:27001(Information Security) accredited.
We encourage all members to take part and help us better understand your views on how we can continue to balance financial returns with our commitment to responsible and sustainable investment practices.
Your voice matters. Keep an eye on your inbox on 19th February and take this opportunity to shape the future of your pension investments.
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SYPA Responds to Stakeholders on Oscar Mayer dispute
24/01/2025
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Cllr Jayne Dunn the Chair of South Yorkshire Pensions Authority has responded to concerns raised by and on behalf of scheme members about the behaviour of Pemberton an asset manager and a significant lender to Oscar Mayer a food production business based in Wrexham which is engaged in a “fire and rehire” dispute.
You can download the full response below.
The key messages are that SYPA does not have any investments managed by Pemberton, and supports its main fund manager the Border to Coast Pensions Partnership is its support of the Good Work Coalition a group of investors encouraging investee companies to treat their workforces fairly. A consistent focus of engagement by Border to Coast with investee companies and fund managers is the promotion of sustained, inclusive growth and productive and decent work for all. This position is fully in line with SYPA’s position and the Authority monitors the performance of fund managers on these issues.
Click the DOWNLOAD button to access the response.
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Our Pension Sessions for Members Are Back for 2025!
22/01/2025
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Our Pension Sessions for Members Are Back for 2025 and this year, we’re doing things a bit differently. Our sessions will no longer be hybrid and will be either in person or online, making it easier for you to choose the format that works best for you. The booking form will clearly show the sessions available for each option, so booking your place has never been simpler.
Our in-person sessions will be delivered live from our events room at Oakwell House by our knowledgeable Customer Services team, covering a range of pensions topics for members of all ages and stages in your retirement journey.
We’re also hosting three online sessions in collaboration with Jenny, a finance specialist from the Money and Pensions Service, who offers a range of free tools and support. These include:
- A special International Women’s Day (IWD) session in March for female members, exploring the gender pay and pensions gaps, as well as money and the menopause.
- Two sessions in the Autumn focusing on how to get the most out of your money and pension.
We will also be advertising sessions in two blocks, February to June and July to November, so if you can’t attend a session in the first half of the year lookout for new dates been added in the summer.
To Book a Place
Simply use the online form here to book onto your preferred session. Please note they are no longer hybrid.
If you are booked on in person and can no longer make it, please email customerservices@sypa.org.uk, and a member of our team will cancel your place. You don’t need to cancel online bookings.
Please also note:
- We have capacity for 30 guests in person for our general sessions and 15 guests for in-person mypension sessions.
- Online sessions have hundreds of places available, so there’s plenty of room!
Find the Right Session for You
If we have an email address for you will receive tailored invitations throughout the year to the sessions that are relevant for your membership type (active, deferred and retired) but below is a short summary of each of our pension education sessions.
Understanding Your Pension
Ideal for members new to the Local Government Pension Scheme, this session covers:
• How and when benefits are paid.
• Combining previous pension rights.
• Setting up an online mypension account.
• Understanding Annual Benefit Statements.
Midlife Planning
Tailored for members in their late 30s to mid-50s, this session covers:
• Ways to boost pensions with AVCs or APCs.
• Using tools like the Mid Life MOT.
• How and when benefits are paid.
Taking Your Deferred Retirement Benefits
For members at retirement age with a deferred pension, this session guides you through:
• The online retirement process.
• Claiming benefits.
• Using mypension for access to P60s and payslips.
Planning for Retirement
Geared towards members aged 55+, this session offers guidance on:
• Retirement planning.
• Using mypension to run retirement quotes and access relevant documents.
How to Use Your Online Account (Pensioners/Active/Deferred Members)
These sessions will now be offered both in person and online, tailored to meet different needs. They are split into:
• Beginner sessions, covering registration, logging in, and basic account setup.
• Advanced sessions, for members who want to learn how to navigate mypension, access statements, run retirement quotes, update details, and view P60s and payslips (for retired members).
Sessions are also divided by membership type (Pensioners, Active, or Deferred Members), so please check that the session you choose is suitable for you.
Get More from Your Money and Pension (Online Sessions Only)
Join Jenny from the Money and Pensions Service for:
1. Two sessions on maximising your money and pension, with guidance on free tools and resources.
2. A special IWD session in March for female members, focusing on the gender pay and pensions gaps and money and the menopause.
Recorded Sessions for Your Convenience
We understand life's can be unpredictable, and to accommodate your busy schedules, all our pension sessions will be recorded. Access them on our Videos – Pensions Made Simple page here, ensuring you never miss out on valuable insights.
If you have any questions about the sessions and want to chat before booking, please email customerservices@sypa.org.uk or call us on 0300 303 6160.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
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SYPA Responds to Government’s Consultation on the Future of the Local Government Pension Scheme
14/01/2025
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South Yorkshire Pensions Authority has published its response to the Government’s consultation launched following the Mansion House speech last November, which sets out proposals for changes to the way in which the investment pools in which all LGPS funds participate operate and the way in which individual funds are governed as well as proposals intended to increase the level of investment in local areas.
SYPA’s response which you can read in full below is broadly supportive of the changes proposed as in many cases they reflect things which the Authority or its investment pool Border to Coast already do or are the logical next step in the development of current approaches. However, there are some areas of concern related to the ability of individual funds to fully express their investment beliefs through asset allocation and in relation to proposals to add independent members to fund governing bodies, which it is felt will undermine democratic accountability.
The full response can be downloaded by clicking the DOWNLOAD button at the bottom of the article.
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