Autumn corporate report

Unlocking strategic value from DB schemes today

This report highlights how for most employers, DB pension schemes have moved from risk to opportunity. With surpluses rising, legislation changing and new endgame options emerging, sponsors who act now can align pension strategy with broader business goals.

The report offers practical insights on surplus usage, settlement options, accounting impacts, investment strategy and longevity assumptions all in the context of a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.

Inside the report:

• DB surplus strategy: With surpluses now common for many schemes, sponsors must decide how best to use them: from discretionary increases to funding for other employee benefits, or looking to put in place a framework for surplus release back to the sponsor under the upcoming legislative changes or at wind-up.
• Insurance settlement: Insurance pricing is at historically low levels, outside of specific market events such as the LDI crisis, and has been so for a sustained period. New entrants to the provider market are good news for continued competitiveness.
• Endgame evolution: Run-on strategies are gaining traction, alongside a buoyant insurance market and a fast-growing superfund market, meaning more choice and plenty of innovation.
• Accounting focus: Key issues that sponsors should consider in preparation for the 2025 year-end pensions accounting exercise.
• Investment focus for sponsors: How sponsors can tailor their scheme’s investment strategy around their endgame to enhance outcomes for all stakeholders.
• Longevity assumptions: The latest views on mortality and how we have used the medical insights of our Health Analytics team to refine estimates of future mortality in a way that may be helpful to corporates.
• Key hot topics: Keep pace with this year’s economic and regulatory shifts, with essential considerations for sponsors.