Actuarial services for employers

Many employers have taken steps to limit their defined benefit pension scheme exposure by closing their pension scheme to new entrants and increasingly to future accrual. This still leaves them with a legacy liability that needs to be managed carefully, as many DB schemes are now moving to being net annual disinvestors. Winding up the DB pension scheme immediately is not a viable option for most employers but having a robust and tested long-term plan for the scheme will help the company ensure this liability is managed as effectively as possible.

If your scheme is still open to new members, open to future accrual or the benefits have retained a link to final salary, it is important that you are receiving expert advice. Our client teams are experienced in providing the specialist advice required by open schemes and our independence enables us to find the solution that is right for your scheme.

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One of the most financially significant aspects of a corporate transaction is often a pension scheme deficit. The Pensions Regulator and scheme’s trustees are also playing a much greater role in the deal process so it is vital to consider the pension scheme at an early stage. 

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We ensure tailored investment advice to each unique pension scheme and trustee board, placing strategy and risk at the core. We provide comprehensive, innovative, client focused investment consultancy services to employers with defined benefit pension schemes, as well as to trustees, charities, local authorities and universities.

Liability management exercises are now a standard part of an employer’s toolbox to manage the cost and risks of a defined benefit pension scheme. They involve providing members of the scheme with more options to take their benefits that, when taken, reduce the cost or risk (or both) of a DB pension scheme.

Many trustees and employers are actively considering the option of insuring their defined benefit pension scheme liabilities with a bulk annuity insurer through a buyout or buy-in policy. When considering a buyout or buy-in of a DB pension scheme's liabilities, it is important that the trustees and employer prepare carefully for a transaction in advance so that a deal can be completed efficiently.

The funding positions of pension schemes disclosed in company accounts can be highly volatile. It is vital that company directors understand the possible impact their final salary scheme can have on the company balance sheet and the profit and loss position. 

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Stochastic modelling techniques are used to place a ‘fair value‘ on share-based payments from all types of Executive and Employee share plans in order to determine the company balance sheet and the profit and loss position under IFRS 2.

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The ever increasing compliance burden placed on trustees is inevitably leading them to play ‘hard ball’ with their sponsoring employers over the funding of defined benefit pension schemes. Therefore, it will often be beneficial for employers to seek independent advice to support their negotiations with trustees.

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The levy is often a significant expense for an employer to bear and although addressed to the trustees the cost will ultimately fall on the employer. It is therefore important for employers to explore every possible option for minimising the levy. 

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Provision of actuarial services to employers who participate in non-associated multi-employer schemes (NAMES). This includes support on actuarial valuations, employer debt and de-risking options.

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We believe that good governance is critical. We therefore offer a first class pension management service, delivered by a diverse and experienced team. Our services will be tailored to meet your specific needs, whether you need full governance support or someone to take trustee meeting minutes.

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Our expert help for senior individuals on their pension arrangements includes the need to deal with the ongoing implications of changes to pensions taxation and the issues and options that individuals should consider.

Our HE team has built a reputation for an ability to identify key challenges and help our clients respond to these promptly. Our HE specific experience stretches over 20 years and includes advice across a top-tier client list, spanning the UK and including both Russell Group and post-92 universities.

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Our expertise in the charities and not-for-profit sector extends across a wide range of areas, including a full range of services in relation to defined benefit and defined contribution pension arrangements sponsored by employers in the sector.

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