The Walt Disney Retirement Savings Plan (the Plan)
Announcement to members that are currently invested
in the Prudential M&G Cash Fund
This note has been sent to you as a member of the Plan to inform you that the Trustees have decided to
replace the Plan’s current Cash Fund option with an alternative Cash Fund. There is no action
required by you unless, as a result of the change detailed below, you wish to change how your Pension
Account is invested.
Introduction
The Plan’s records indicate that you currently have at least a part of your Pension Account invested in
the Prudential M&G Cash Fund, either as a result of choosing one of the Lifecycle options (and being
within 7 years of your expected retirement date) or by choosing this Fund from the Plan’s range of
self-select options.
As you may be aware, recent market turmoil has raised awareness around cash funds and the risks
associated with some of the assets held within cash funds. Many cash funds have made investments
that have subsequently been negatively impacted by the credit crunch. This has led to some funds
experiencing worse than expected performance. This includes the Prudential M&G Cash Fund which
is offered through the Plan.
One of the Trustees’ duties is to monitor the past performance and consider the expected future
performance of the Plan’s investment managers to ensure that members are offered an appropriate
range of investment choices. The Trustees wish to inform you of the following action that has been
taken regarding the Plan’s investments.
Replacement of the Prudential M&G Cash Fund
After considering advice from their investment adviser, Watson Wyatt, the Trustees have decided to
replace the Prudential M&G Cash Fund with a new cash fund, the BGI Sterling Government Liquidity
Fund (“the BGI Cash Fund”). The reasons for this are as follows:
• The main reason for the Trustees offering the cash fund option in the Plan is to provide capital
protection (i.e. minimal performance volatility).
• Current market conditions have highlighted the potential performance volatility (although still
relatively low compared to other investment classes) in the Prudential M&G Cash Fund.
• The BGI Cash Fund provides a greater level of capital protection than the Prudential M&G Cash
Fund.
Further information regarding cash funds in general, the Prudential M&G Cash Fund and the
replacement BGI Cash Fund is set out in the appendix.
Next steps
The change in your Pension Account investment from the M&G Cash Fund to the BGI Cash Fund will
take place by the end of April and will include any Prudential M&G Cash Fund assets that are held in
the Plan, including as a part of the Lifecycle options (if you are invested in Lifecycle and are within 7
years of your expected retirement date). Any future contributions currently being invested in the
Prudential M&G Cash Fund will also be automatically allocated to the replacement fund.
Actions required and your options
There is no action required by you unless, as a result of the change made by the Trustees or otherwise,
you wish to change how your Pension Account is invested.
You are able to change how your Pension Account is invested by changing your investment choice for
future contributions or by switching the accumulated value of your Pension Account between the
investment options available. These changes can be made at any time, by visiting the 'Your Pension'
section of the Plan’s website at www.disneypensions.co.uk or by contacting Capita Hartshead, the
Plan’s administrators, on 01227 773914 or emailing [email protected].
Please be aware that by law neither the Trustees nor their adviser, Watson Wyatt, are permitted to offer
you any investment or financial advice and this letter should not be construed as advice. If you are in
any doubt as to the action to take in relation to the investment of your Pension Account within the Plan,
you should seek your own financial advice from an independent financial adviser (IFA). If you do not
currently have an IFA you can find the name of a local IFA at www.unbiased.co.uk by completing a
simple form on-line. You can also contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau for details of local IFAs.
Please contact Ray O’Sullivan in HR, ext 8309 1650 / [email protected] or the Plan’s
administrators (details above) if you have any queries.
The Trustees of Walt Disney Retirement Savings Plan
April 2009
Appendix
Cash fund overview
Cash funds, in which institutional investors such as pension schemes invest, differ from high street
bank accounts. Cash funds will invest in a wide variety of underlying money market instruments with
the aim of achieving, on aggregate, an “interest like” return. In certain market conditions, these money
market instruments can fall in value and this can lead to negative returns. The instruments typically
considered to be in a cash portfolio manager’s investment universe include:
• Commercial Paper (CP) • Certificate of Deposits (CDs)
• Floating Rate Notes (FRNs) • Asset-Backed Securities
• Time Deposits • Bankers Acceptances
• Eligible Bills • Treasury Bills
• Repurchase agreements • Short duration, investment grade
• Short duration gilts • corporate bonds
Prudential M&G Cash Fund
The Prudential M&G Cash Fund (“the M&G Cash Fund”) is the only cash fund available through the
Plan. It targets a return in excess of the 7 day London Interbank Bid Rate (LIBID), the rate at which a
bank is willing to borrow from other banks. While this return target is not overly aggressive, the
manner in which the M&G Fund is managed means it may exhibit some degree of performance
volatility. This is particularly the case in very tough credit market conditions. In particular, from time
to time, the value of the fund may fall in value.
The replacement fund: the BGI Cash Fund
The BGI Cash Fund invests in a wide range of Sterling denominated money market instruments issued
by sovereign governments, primarily the UK Government. It is important to note that given the lower
expected risk of the BGI Cash Fund relative to the M&G Cash Fund, there is a corresponding reduction
in expected return. Further, while the BGI Cash Fund invests primarily in government-backed
securities, there is still a possibility that in some circumstances, it may fall in value.
Further details regarding the BGI Cash Fund will be provided shortly on the Plan’s website at
www.disneypensions.co.uk and will be included in the Plan’s future quarterly funds factsheets.