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While the short-term impact of the UK’s decision to leave the EU is apparent, the long-term picture remains unclear. What effect will Brexit have on broader long-term savings and the State pension; and what can we do now to ensure a better future for employers, trustees and individuals? In this Brexit overview, we look at how both Defined Benefit (DB) and Defined Contribution (DC) pension savings have been affected in the UK, as well as the impact to markets. Not only are we bringing together the views of experts from our partner firm in the UK, Hymans Robertson, we’re delighted to have contributions from Capital Cranfield Trustees offering guidance to trustees and Gowling WLG giving a legal perspective on what Brexit means for our industry.
The UK had an acute savings crisis before the referendum, and the situation has now deteriorated further. Hymans Robertson’s Guided Outcomes (GO™) analysis of 500,000 DC pension savers shows 65% were not on track to achieve an adequate income in retirement. Post-Brexit, these figures jump to a staggering 75%. __In his latest blog, Chris Noon, of Hymans Robertson, outlines the reasons behind the bleak outlook, and what this means for trustees and employers of DC schemes. Read Chris’ blog here. __UK Defined Benefit (DB) schemes have also been hit hard. Bond yields have headed south due to the Bank of England’s policy response to the economic uncertainty caused by the referendum result. As a result, UK DB deficits have now breached the £1 trillion mark. You can read Patrick Bloomfield’s views on what this means for the future of DB here.
Despite these eye-watering figures, John Stannard from Capital Cranfield Trustees reminds trustees to focus on the long-term and to take a considered approach to action. Read his views on how trustees should respond here. Giving the market context, Graeme Johnston provides an analysis of what we can expect over the short-term.
Liz Wood at Gowling WLG explains why pensions law is unlikely to change in the near future, and gives her views on what pension schemes should be focusing their efforts on. Read Liz’s blog here.
In a recent webinar, Hymans Robertson outlined how the savings crisis has become a lot worse. Individuals simply aren’t saving enough, and the Government’s saving incentives and the State pension are looking increasingly unaffordable over the long-term post Brexit. __With all policy options on the table post the EU Referendum, Hymans Robertson believes now is the right time to consider how pensions policy can be improved. To move away from pensions being used as a political football at the expense of long-term savings, they’re calling for an independent commission to be set up to take a long-term view and secure a better future for all.
Watch a full recording of their recent webinar to hear their views on how industry experts, employers and Government can all work together improve the future outlook.
Hopefully this gives you food for thought on what the future may have in store. Over the coming months Hymans Robertson will be leading a series of debates with industry experts looking at how we can create a better future for long term savings. We’d be interested to hear your views too. Click here to find out how you can get involved in these discussions.
If your company has operations in the UK, or elsewhere around the globe, we can help. October Three provides global consulting services that offer a more personalized alternative to ‘big company’ firms. We provide you convenience and peace of mind, unburdened from policies set by a remote head office.
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