In-person: Pensions Forum 2024
The 2024 Pensions Forum will cover:
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Update from the Pensions Committee
- Are DC Plans working?
This is a session to re-think aspects of Defined Contribution plans. What could a DC investment strategy look like if we were to remove the constraints that many DC schemes have? Are DC schemes really giving members what they need? We will also comment on the new auto enrolment structures and how DC investments might evolve
- Auto Enrolment
In April, the introduction of Ireland's new automatic enrolment (AE) retirement savings system took a significant stride forward with the publication of the much-anticipated Auto Enrolment Retirement Savings Bill 2024 . The new Auto Enrolment (AE) regime will fundamentally change Ireland's occupational pensions framework and how employers approach provision of retirement benefits. This session will look at the key elements of the Bill.
- DORA
The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) will apply to occupational pension schemes with 15 or more members from 17 January 2025. DORA places the ultimate responsibility for managing the information and communications technology (“ICT”) risks faced by pension schemes on the scheme Trustees. This session is intended to increase awareness of DORA implementation readiness requirements among actuaries operating as pension scheme Risk Management Key Function role holders and/or as scheme trustees.
Cancellation Policy available here.
Gerard Nolan
Gerard is a Principal and consulting actuary with Mercer. He provides general and actuarial consulting advice to a variety of clients, covering funding issues, accounting implications, pension plan design and compliance with various regulatory requirements. Gerard is actively involved with the Society of Actuaries in Ireland – currently as Chair of the Pensions Committee as well as being on the Society’s Council. He is also a member of Mercer’s Actuarial Best Practice Group
Caitriona MacGuinness CFA
Caitriona is the DC & Private Wealth Leader for Mercer Ireland. She is responsible for all aspects of Mercer’s DC provision and the delivery of service excellence to clients, both in standalone trusts and in Mercer’s Master Trust. Caitriona also leads Mercer’s Private Wealth business, supporting pension clients and their members. In her leadership roles, Caitriona has responsibility for driving the future strategy of both DC and Private Wealth across Mercer. Caitriona has 20 years of experience in the investment industry. Before joining Mercer is 2015, she worked for 12 years as a senior fund manager at KBC Fund Management. In addition to being a CFA Charterholder, Caitriona is a Past President of CFA Society Ireland.
Cian Hurley CFA
Cian is the Head of Mercer’s delegated DC solution in Ireland, Aspire and a senior investment consultant within Mercer's investment business. He advises institutional clients on the full range of investment consulting issues, including investment strategy, ongoing performance and risk monitoring and changes in the investment landscape. Cian provides investment advice to a portfolio of defined contribution pension schemes, both delegated and advisory. Cian also has responsibilities for wealth management clients globally. Cian is involved in a number of industry groups; he is a member of the CFA Society of Ireland’s ESG investment committee and a member of the Irish Association of Pension Fund’s (IAPF) investment committee.
Michelle McSweeney
Michelle is the DC Business Intelligence Lead for Mercer Ireland. She is an actuary with over 15 years of experience in the pensions and investment industry. She is an active member of the actuarial profession in Ireland. She is a fellow of the Society of Actuaries in Ireland and serves on the Society's Pensions Committee. She is also a member of the Auto-enrolment working group, contributing her expertise to shape the future of pension schemes in Ireland.
Patrick Cosgrave
Patrick is the Head of Group Pension Product within New Ireland Assurance. In that role he has overseen the launch of New Ireland’s Master Trusts and has led the build out of the cloud based MyPension365 next generation digital administration platform. Patrick has previously worked with leading employee benefit consultancies in Ireland, the Netherlands, the UK and the USA across a variety of roles including scheme actuary, software development, operational transformation programmes and regulatory engagement. He is also an experienced pension scheme trustee.