Pension liabilities have been cited as one of the main barriers to pursuing a merger, and it is understandable given the complexities of the legislation, HR issues and potential threat of triggering a significant financial burden.

It is no wonder then that the last two years has seen few mergers completed and a significant number being abandoned before conclusion.

Mergers are inevitable in the current market environment as a way of improving competitiveness, scale and efficiencies, but to navigate the pension minefield professional advice sought at an early stage of the negotiations is vital.

This advice would allow a full investigation of the implications of any change to ensure short term objectives are not being met at the expense of the long term security of the organisation.

Read the full article by David Davison at Civil Society.

Posted in: Blog
Tags: Charities, Mergers, Not For Profit, Pension deficits

Many years ago an old auntie used to tell me to be careful who I pointed the finger of blame at, as only one finger would point at them and the other three would point at me. Wise words indeed – and possibly something that the Pension Regulator should pay some heed to when making pronouncements.
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Posted in: Blog
Tags: Enhanced Transfer Exercises, FInancial Services Authority, FSA, Pensions Regulator, Transfer Incentives

The recent announcement about the improved funding position of the Social Housing Pension Scheme (SHPS), while good news on the face of it does warrant some further investigation and should encourage some questions to be asked by participants.
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Posted in: Blog
Tags: Charities, Not For Profit, Pension deficits, Pension Funding, Social Housing Pension Scheme, The Pensions Trust

As those of you who know their French medieval history will recall, Arnaud Amalric was the Abbot of Citeaux at the time of the supression of the Cathar heresy in the Languedoc. The French Catholic king of the time, with the blessing of the Pope, had launched the Albigensian Crusade , aimed at exterminating the heretics. Because the Cathars had for many years lived happily amongst their Catholic neighbours, the crusaders were presented with a problem – how can we tell the “good” Catholics from the “bad” Cathars before we exterminate them?

This is where Arnaud comes in. Arnaud was what we would call in morden parlance, a pragmatist. He was with the crusaders beseiging Beziers, presumably to provide spiritual and moral guidance. Beziers had a mixed Cathar/Catholic population. When asked by his military colleagues for some guidance as to how they could distinguish the religious adherence of Beziers’ inhabitants in the forthcoming massacre and therefore avoid killing their “good” co-religionists, Arnaud came up with a splendidly pragmatic  response – “Kill them all, the Lord will recognise His own.”

Now don’t get me wrong, generally I see pragmatism as a virtue, but I’m not entirely convinced that, in this case, the end justified the means.

Equally, I am unconvinced that the effective banning of Contracted out DB to DC transfers hidden in the regulations regarding the abolition of DC Contracting-out is entirely justified.

The Government’s approach here seems akin to that of Arnaud. The proposed ban is clearly about a failure of regulation. There are many legitimate scenarios where transferring from a Contracted-out DB scheme to a DC arrangement of some sort makes sense for individuals, given their particular circumstances. Given this, and the fact the the Government will not have sat down with any individuals to ascertain what is or isn’t in their interests, killing all Contracted-out DB to DC transfers seems as overzealous now as Arnaud’s response all those years ago.

So rather than a medieval approach to the issue of transfers and regulatory concerns about protecting members from themselves, can we  have some proper regulation?

By this I emphatically don’t mean the recent consultation document issued by the Pensions Regulator on incentive exercises. It has always been my view that transfer advice is regulated by the FSA and trustees should not be forced to provide a figleaf for any regulatory failings in this area – see our other blogs on this point.

Having said that I think that the guidance around the trustees’ role in this area seems to have completely missed the point that trustees do indeed have a legitimate existing role in the process which could help resolve some of the concerns voiced. It is already the trustees responsibility to set scheme transfer values. The Regulator in its guidance in this area suggests that these can be a ‘best estimate’ of the value needed to replicate the benefits being given up by the member. So setting the transfer value basis for a Scheme rests squarely with the trustees.

If trustees and the Regulator have concerns about members losing out as a result of transfers, even where these are topped up to the full transfer value provided by the Scheme, or beyond, then clearly part of the problem must be the trustees’ transfer value basis.

In my opinion the biggest and best contribution trustees can make to the whole transfer value debate is to make sure that their transfer value basis genuinely reflects the value of members’ benefits.

Obviously this is yet another area where there is a potential for conflicts of interest - some trustees might be tempted to set weak transfer value bases with a view to facillitating positive communication in employer sponsored transfer exercises. A 20% “enhancement” to a weak scheme transfer value could well be less than 100% of a “fair” transfer value and mislead members into thinking that they are getting something “extra”. This is properly an area for scrutiny by the Pensions Regulator and another argument for the appointment of a professional trustee to any Scheme where potentially contentious issues are to be addressed.

This may raise the bar for transfer value exercises by increasing the amounts of any top ups required from the employer – but surely this is a good thing? Transfer exercises would then – quite rightly – be difficult to do “on the cheap” as disclosure requirements would mean that the full transfer value has to be disclosed to the member and any attempt to “incentivise” members’ to transfer out at a level below this would be very apparent to them.

I have to ask if this would not be a simpler and more joined-up solution than a blanket ban by stealth, which appears to be where we are heading?

Posted in: Blog
Tags: Actuarial, Enhanced Transfer Exercises, Financial Advisers, Pensions Regulator, Regulation, Transfer Incentives, Trusteeship

Notes on the Pensions Regulator’s draft Guidance on Transfer Incentives by actuaries Spence & Partners and professional trustees Dalriada Trustees Limited.

Posted in: Blog
Tags: DB to DC Pension transfers, DB to DC Transfers, Enhanced Transfer Exercises, Pensions Regulator, Transfer Values

At the end of July by the Department of Work and Pensions published a consultation document entitled  ”Abolition of contracting-out on a defined contribution basis: consultation on draft consequential legislation.”

Hidden within the document (it takes some finding) and then cross referencing  the Contracting-out (Transfer and Transfer Payments) Regulations 1996 (what would we do without Pendragon Perspective!) and it becomes clear – no transfers of GMPs or of post 1997 contracted-out rights will be permitted from DB pension schemes to either occupational DC pension schemes or to personal pensions from 6 April 2012.

Who saw that coming?  The vast majority of DB pension rights are now locked into the DB pensions funding regime until the last member dies, a regulated buy-out is transacted or the sponsor goes bust.

Deferred pension scheme members who may have been thinking for some time about transferring to a personal pension will need to make their mind up soon.  There is a minority of people who would be well advised to take transfers, for example some of those in poor health or without dependents.  Schemes will undoubtedly have to deal with an increased incidence of transfer requests for 18 months and virtually none thereafter.

The whole new industry that has developed around transfer incentives will come to an end.  From the point of view maximising individual choice this is not a good development but there are a number of practitioners who have advised employers to conduct enhanced transfer value exercises in a manner that will in all likelihood result in many of those members who have been advised to transfer coming to regret the advice they have received.

The Pension Regulator’s recent consultation on the subject seemed a rather limp response to some very poor practices on the part of some advisers but maybe this latest announcement goes some way to explaining why.  If the Pensions Regulator and the Financial Services Authority cannot regulate Enhanced Transfer Value Exercises (and certainly over the last few years it is clear that they have failed to do so) then banning transfers seems a logical step.  Whilst we understand the move by the new Pensions Minister Steve Webb, it is a pity that the price of this regulatory failure is to deprive the minority of people who could gain by transferring of that option. It is a price worth paying to protect the majority from the detriment caused by the predatory and harmful practices that have developed.

The whole area of calculating transfer value equivalents to DB benefits has been fraught with difficulty – the mis-selling of the late 1980s and early 1990s having been improved on by some firms only a little in more recent years.

There does however seem to be a high chance of a firesale over the next 18 months as individuals take a final look at their affairs and decide once and for all on whether to transfer out to a personal pension or DC scheme and as employers contemplate making a final and best offer to incentivise deferred members to take their liabilities and leave the scheme.  Hopefully employers and trustees will take the proposed new Guidance from the Pensions Regulator to heart and conduct these exercises in an appropriate manner.  The appointment of an independent trustee in such cases to eliminate conflicts of interest would be good start.

We have argued several times that transfer incentives properly conducted are a legitimate and proper technique for employers to manage their liabilities and at the same time would be happy to advise any employers looking to achieve a fair win/win result in the limited time that now appears to be available or indeed any trustees seeking to meet the demanding new expectations of the Regulator.

Posted in: Blog
Tags: Contracting-out, DB to DC Transfers, Enhanced Transfer Exercises, FInancial Services Authority, GMPs, Liability Reshaping, Pensions Regulator, Transfer Incentives, Transfer Values

Going through a divorce is a stressful time for all concerned and there are many factors to consider. The division of marital assets is often the cause for the most friction. There are however several places to find help and advice on how this process can be made easier for all.

PENSIONS
Pensions must be taken into account in divorce proceedings as they can represent a significant financial asset. A divorce often means a decision on how the pension benefit one or both parties must be divided must be made.  The calculations can be complex and the sharing method can also have an impact on the value to be shared.

PROPERTY
The family home can represent the largest joint asset and placed in the theatre of divorce is often an emotive subject. This gives a good run down of what might happen to the marital home and easy to follow advice in question and answer form.

BUSINESSES
The divorce of a business’s founder can have a dramatic and dreadful effect – not just through the distress and distraction for those involved, but particularly through the cost of the final settlement – possibly necessitating the sale of some or all of the business to finance it. This explains the impact divorce proceedings can have on the business owner and the business future.

SECURITIES, INVESTMENTS AND INSURANCE
There are many financial products and vehicles used to invest or hold money securely. The rules surrounding these products can be complex and divorce can see these complications increase. This will give an insight into the ways these assets might be dealt with in the course of divorce proceedings.

Ian Conlon Actuary

Posted in: Blog
Tags: Divorce, Ian Conlon, Pensions on Divorce, Pensions Sharing

In the June 2010 budget the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the Government’s intention for future increases in public sector pensions to be linked to changes in the Consumer Prices Index (CPI).  Historically such pensions were linked to increases in the Retail Prices Index (RPI).

The Pensions Minister subsequently issued a statement on 8 July confirming that the Government also intends to use CPI for determining statutory minimum increases which apply to private sector pension schemes.

These changes will undoubtedly have an impact where pensions are a factor in divorce proceedings.

Although both are measures of inflation, RPI and CPI are calculated using different methods and are based on different “baskets” of goods.  Historically this difference has resulted, for most time periods, in CPI being a lower measure of price inflation that RPI.  Overall, commentators expect CPI to be around 0.5% to 0.8% lower than RPI over the longer term.

For all public sector pension schemes* the expectation is that future increases in pensions will be lower than previously expected.  Therefore, the switch from RPI to CPI will affect the assumptions underlying the calculation of Cash Equivalent Transfer Values (CETVs). This change is likely to reduce CETVs and may have an impact on what is deemed an appropriate percentage Pension Share.

By way of illustration, for someone who is currently 40 years old with a pension in a public sector pension scheme, the impact of this change alone could result in a reduction of around 20% to the CETV.

For private sector pension schemes, the impact of the change is likely to vary by scheme and will depend upon the rules of the particular scheme.

It is likely that many pension schemes will defer issuing new transfer values until the changes have been considered.   Further, pension schemes may decide to put on hold the implementation of Pension Sharing Orders.

For ongoing divorce cases where pension information has been provided, the solicitor and parties involved should carefully consider whether it is appropriate to base any decisions on this information and such advice as may have been provided, whether in relation to Pension Sharing or Offsetting without first seeking further advice from an actuary specialising in pensions on divorce.

Spence & Partners can provide an early indication of the likely impact on the value of the CETV and implications for Pension Sharing on taking account of these changes.

For more information on this or any other pension on divorce issue contact our divorce team divorce@spenceandpartners.co.uk

*Public sector pension schemes include the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme, Health and Personal Social Services Superannuation Scheme, Armed Forces Pension Scheme, Local Government Pension Scheme, Police Pension Scheme, Teachers’ Pension Scheme and Firefighters’ Pension Scheme.

Ian Conlon Actuary

Posted in: Blog
Tags: Armed Forces Pension Scheme, Divorce, Firefighters' Pension Scheme, Local Government Pension Scheme, NHS Pension Scheme, Pension on Divorce, Pensions on Divorce, Pensions Sharing, Police Pension Scheme, Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme, Teachers' Pension Scheme

David Davison explains to Civil Society readers how charities are still sticking their heads in the sand about future pension provision, despite the increase in comment on the issue.

Highlighted as far back as 2004 and one of the biggest issues charities will face, the elephant in the room can no longer be ignored.

Posted in: Blog
Tags: Charities, Pension deficits