Research Services : Research on UK Defined Contribution Pension Scheme Default Investment Strategies

Descriptions

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) regulates auditors, accountants and actuaries and sets the UK's Corporate Governance and Stewardship Codes. We seek to promote transparency and integrity in business; our work is aimed at investors and others who rely on company accounts, audit, and high-quality risk management. The FRC sets and regularly reviews Actuarial Standard Technical Memorandum 1: Statutory Money Purchase Illustrations ("AS TM1"). AS TM1 specifies the assumptions and methods to be used in the calculation of statutory illustrations of retirement income from 'money purchase' pensions, also known as 'defined contribution' (DC) pensions. AS TM1 requires these illustrations to use assumptions that differ depending on the volatility of the funds in which the DC pension is invested. For a UK Defined Contribution ('DC') pension scheme the selection of the default investment strategy that is offered to scheme members is one of the most important decisions for pension scheme decision-makers. This is because many/most scheme members will follow the default strategy, particularly individuals without the financial knowledge and/or confidence to make an active choice. UK DC schemes typically use a form of 'lifestyle' strategy for the default fund, whereby the investment strategy for an individual changes over time depending on how far away they are from retirement age. We understand there are a wide range of different types of 'lifestyle' strategy used by UK pension funds. We have commissioned this research in order to better understand the strategies used, to inform our policy-making activities in relation to the assumptions and methods as set out in AS TM1. This research project is separate from the current review of the accumulation rate assumptions in AS TM1 v5.0 which was consulted on in November 2023; rather it is intended to inform and support the FRC's longer term strategy and decision-making in relation to AS TM1. This research project will involve data collection and analysis to provide information on the default investment strategies currently offered by UK DC pension schemes, noting that common practice for default DC investment strategies has evolved, particularly since 'pension freedoms' were introduced in 2015. This data and analysis will support the FRC in setting actuarial standards that are appropriate for the current environment of UK DC pension schemes. •The project's core objective is to understand the nature of the various default investment strategies provided to UK scheme members and provide the FRC with statistically significant data on this. •As a second objective, we are also seeking an understanding of why those strategies are provided to scheme members. PLEASE SEE THE INVITATION TO TENDER (ITT) FOR FULL DETAILS (including the Appendix - UK DC Schemes Information). The FRC does not anticipate bids exceeding £54,000 incl. VAT.