26
Jun
2018

Investment Association calls for new partnership in pension provision

Tuesday 26 June 2018

The Investment Association (IA) today published a paper on Defined Contribution (DC) pensions, ‘Putting Investment at the Heart of DC Pensions’, highlighting the critical importance of investment management, alongside the need to increase pension contributions, if today’s savers are to have a more secure and prosperous retirement.

Auto-enrolment has been a game-changer, succeeding in bringing nine million new savers into the pensions system. In order to achieve the best outcomes for both new and existing savers, the investment process needs to be front and centre for DC schemes.

The IA paper builds on the existing direction of travel in the key areas of investment governance and transparency, while also seeking to respond effectively to the changing needs and priorities of the economy and society.

Looking to a new partnership between pension schemes and the investment management industry, the IA’s paper sets out a range of measures and recommendations that will create a firm foundation for the future.

These include:

  • A clear objective for savers so they know what their pension scheme is aiming to deliver for them.
  • Further work to encourage greater engagement, particularly to achieve sufficient contribution rates.
  • Increasing opportunities for savers to invest in a more responsible and sustainable way.
  • Greater transparency of investment costs within pension products allowing savers to better assess ‘value for money’ in DC investment.
  • Measures to ensure that DC schemes can invest more easily in the full range of asset classes so that savers are not missing out on investment opportunities.

Chris Cummings, Chief Executive of the Investment Association said:

“Auto-enrolment is a game changer, more people than ever are now saving for retirement, but more needs to be done to help today’s savers to have better pensions. Investment is the beating heart of the pensions system and is one of the most important factors in determining the value of savers’ pension pots. That is why investment needs to be made a greater priority for Defined Contribution pension schemes.

“The amount people are saving is in many cases still too little to ensure a secure retirement. Industry, regulators and government need to build confidence in pensions saving and find new ways to increase engagement. Better communication before, at and during retirement will be critical. The investment industry is committed to working in partnership with those across the pensions landscape to ensure that savers get the retirement they deserve.”

Central to the IA’s proposals is the idea that investment needs to have the same priority in all forms of pension - whether Defined Benefit (DB) or Defined Contribution (DC), and that every saver has the ability to access the full range of investment opportunities.

The report is published on the day of the IA’s inaugural Policy Conference in London, which brings together government and policymakers, industry experts and regulators to discuss the key issues facing the asset management industry, from pensions to Brexit, corporate governance and international trade.

Notes to Editors

For the full report: https://www.theinvestmentassociation.org//assets/f...

For media enquiries:

Anisha Patel, Head of Communications: [email protected]
T +44 (0)20 7269 4696

Ben Rathe, Senior Communications Manager: [email protected]
T +44 20 7269 4655

About the Investment Association:

 

  • The IA champions UK asset management, supporting British savers, investors and businesses. Our 240 members manage £6.9 trillion of assets and employ 93,500 people across the UK.
  • Our mission is to make investment better. Better for clients, so they achieve their financial goals. Better for companies, so they get the capital they need to grow. And better for the economy, so everyone prospers.
  • Our purpose is to ensure investment managers are in the best possible position to:
    • Build people’s resilience to financial adversity
    • Help people achieve their financial aspirations
    • Enable people to maintain a decent standard of living as they grow older
    • Contribute to economic growth through the efficient allocation of capital.
  • The money our members manage is in a wide variety of investment vehicles including authorised investment funds, pension funds and stocks and shares ISAs.
  • The UK is the second largest investment management centre in the world, after the US and manages 37% of all assets managed in Europe.

 

 

For further information, please contact:

For media, to receive the full consultation document, please contact Helen Ayres

Helen Ayres, Communications Manager: [email protected]

T +44 (0)20 7269 4620; M +44 (0)7508 724 066

IA press office: [email protected]

About the Investment Association (IA):

  • The IA champions UK asset management, supporting British savers, investors and businesses. Our 250 members manage £7.7 trillion of assets and the asset management industry supports 100,000 jobs across the UK.
  • Our mission is to make investment better. Better for clients, so they achieve their financial goals. Better for companies, so they get the capital they need to grow. And better for the economy, so everyone prospers.
  • Our purpose is to ensure investment managers are in the best possible position to:
    • Build people’s resilience to financial adversity
    • Help people achieve their financial aspirations
    • Enable people to maintain a decent standard of living as they grow older
    • Contribute to economic growth through the efficient allocation of capital.
  • The money our members manage is in a wide variety of investment vehicles including authorised investment funds, pension funds and stocks and shares ISAs.
  • The UK is the second largest investment management centre in the world, after the US and manages 35% of all assets managed in Europe.