With many schemes seriously considering their risk transfer options, achieving the best price is evidently the main objective for pension professionals. However, there are many other factors to consider when deciding on an insurer. It is integral to look at these other factors when deciding on a risk transfer that is best for the member.

This session will address:

• When choosing an insurer, what are the aspects should you consider apart from price
• How should schemes press on these issues
• What areas matter for members

2024 saw 3 insurers enter the bulk annuity market. As more schemes are contemplating their endgame options it is important to familiarise yourself with these new arrivals and whether they are a viable option when compared with the established players.

This session will address:

• An overview of the new insurers including how and why they have entered the market
• What questions should you ask these insurers and what to look out for
• How to judge them if they have no track record
• What impact have these arrivals had on the risk transfer market

The bulk annuity market has remained busy and with scheme funding levels continuing to improve, meaning this activity doesn’t look like slowing down. It is integral that pension professionals understand what to look out for in the journey to risk transfer and how to best navigate the risks to attain optimum returns for members.

This session will address:

• An overview of the current bulk annuity market including demand and supply dynamics
• What are insurers looking for from schemes in endgame preparations
• How best to engage with the market and insurers
• What are the crucial steps in the lead up to risk transfer to best position your scheme
• How to navigate this journey as a smaller scheme, what streamlined services support smaller schemes
  

With longer term run-on becoming an increasingly considered endgame option for many schemes, reflect on what considerations should be taken for schemes that are choosing longer term run-on.

This session will address:

• What investment strategy should be taken for longer term run on and how much risk should be taken on.
• How to effectively manage surplus
• How cost-effective different run-on strategies are
• What are the operational implications of a longer-term run-on strategy

• What are the critical administrative stages to prepare your data for risk transfer
• How to support members during and after this process
• What does buyout ready look like from a data and administration standpoint
• What happens if your target end date for buyout changes
• Why effective administration is still critical if you have a longer endgame date

Many schemes find themselves in a position where they have a clear and improved path to risk transfer due to enhanced funding positions. Therefore, a probable question is why should a scheme choose to run-on?

This session will address:

• What are the pros and cons of run-on vs buyout
• What are the reasons for run-on
• What should the run-on time frame be
• What are the barriers to run-on

• What do consolidators offer and how are they doing it
• When might you go to a consolidator and what does this process look like
• What schemes benefit from this
• How is the superfund industry likely to change in the future

• How to invest surplus productively for portfolios aiming for longer term run-on
• How can surplus be extracted
• How can this benefit both the member and sponsor