Introducing a new
option and IFA support for members
Case studies
The background
LCP undertook a sponsor-led review of the options and support available to members which led to the understanding that:
- members typically retired at normal retirement age, with few retiring early – often due to a lack of understanding of the early retirement option
- many members were not aware of the option to take a transfer value at retirement
- communications could be improved to increase member engagement prior to the point of retirement.
Our approach
With LCP’s help, a Sponsor and Trustee Joint Working Group was established to:
- appoint an IFA to support members with their decisions at retirement
- design and implement a new BPO, enabling more members to retire earlier than their normal retirement age
- put in place more proactive communications from age 55, including early retirement quotations with the new BPO as well as transfer values
- update the communications issued to members six months from normal retirement age, to include the new BPO and a transfer value quotation.
The outcome
The proactive communications from age 55 were launched with a bulk write out to all members currently over age 55. This led to enhanced take-up of transfers and of the new bridging option which has accelerated the timescales to full buyout – with LCP’s support, the Plan is now actively seeking full buy-in quotations, which is earlier than planned.
How we can help
We help sponsors of pension schemes understand and manage the costs and risks associated with supporting their current and legacy pension schemes as well as other employee benefits.
We help pension scheme trustees and sponsors to determine the ultimate destination for their scheme and help them put together a plan to get there, including how to effectively manage the risks they face along the way.