Surveys
Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC) has an abiding commitment to clear, unambiguous and accessible communication across the industry. Our Policyholder Forums, trustee training seminars, crystal clear policyholder communications and a host of policyholder feedback mechanisms mean we have developed a strong expertise in this area.
As part of this ongoing programme, PIC takes a leading role in uncovering the views and concerns of Defined Benefit pension fund trustees and others in the market and ensuring that they are heard more widely. PIC has led the debate on a number of issues, including the respective impacts of Quantitative Easing and market turmoil on pension schemes.
For the past three years we have run a survey, in association with Engaged Investor magazine, which has to date had responses from more than 600 trustees and other industry participants.
Survey 2012
The 2012 survey will be published here in May.
Some of the key findings from our survey in 2011:
- After the next valuation 55% of pension fund trustees may increase sponsor contributions by more than
10 per cent; 11% may do so in excess of 20%
- 22% expect to receive company assets, such as property, from their sponsor in lieu of cash contributions
- 44% believe switching to CPI-linked benefits is 'unfair on pensioners'
- 47% indicated that tackling a deficit is their top priority; 31% expect to buyout
2010 highlights, in what was one of the largest independent studies yet conducted:
- 73% of UK pension fund trustees are planning to reduce their pension fund's exposure to risk in the
coming years, through a variety of strategies
- To date, 65% of trustees have taken steps to reduce risk
- 28% having reduced their exposure to the equity markets
- 25% having employed a liability driven investment strategy
- 8% having completed one or more pension insurance buy-ins or a buyout
Other surveys
In addition, in association with Redington the independent investment consultancy, in 2011 we surveyed more than 100 actuaries and trustees on their use of inflation hedging in managing pension scheme assets. The findings can be found HERE.
