Company pensions – information for trustees

As a pension scheme trustee, you’ll be aware of the many pressures facing company pension schemes today.

Our solutions are designed for trustees and employers who are:

• Considering moving from defined benefit to defined contribution
• Looking to maximise efficiencies by moving from an existing DC arrangement

We take time to understand your individual requirements so that we deliver solutions that work. We are committed to providing market-leading innovative pensions solutions. Our experience and our systems ensure a smooth transition from your existing arrangement.

In addition to providing a core range of services, you can also have access to:

• Personalisation of lifestyle profiles to suit individual members' needs
• Blended funds
• Fund by fund pricing
• Trustee unallocated account
• Phased retirement options
• Fund governance framework
• Transition management

Important information

Before buying a product you need to be aware of the risks and commitment involved. Details are available in the relevant key features document. Seek financial advice if you're unsure if a product is suitable for you.

Our investment platform offers access to a wide range of funds, managed by Standard Life Investments and other fund managers.

Increased investment choice, without control, can mean increased risk. We offer a range of flexible features to help trustees and employers to meet their own and members’ needs.

Scheme specific fund range

This lets trustees work with their adviser to narrow down the fund range offered to members.

Limiting the range of available funds, makes scheme management easier and allows you to demonstrate due diligence in fund selection.

Lifestyle profiling

Trustees can work with their adviser to build lifestyle profiles and devise a structure that allows members some personalisation of the lifestyle strategy.

Members can then choose the profile that best suits their needs.
All of our available funds are supported by our fund governance framework.

To find out more about how our investment flexibility can help meet your needs please contact us.

We place great emphasis on developing strong relationships with our clients. This lets us understand trustees' needs and the requirements of each scheme – and to deliver appropriate services.

Communication and Education

Improved financial understanding means that important messages are less likely to be missed. Our dedicated communications specialists work with trustees and employers to deliver comprehensive communication and engagement programmes which empower individuals to take control of their financial future. The programme uses employee targeting to:

• Increase engagement
• Demonstrate value 
• Build long term relationships.

Our dedicated team of experts can work with you to deliver the right programme that will engage, inform and empower your members. This can include

• Targeted communications to members
• Providing a bespoke member website

Effective scheme governance

We can deliver comprehensive management information and detailed reporting. We cover areas such as:

• Member investment and contribution details
• Fund performance
• Member enquiries
• Performance against service level agreements

We’re also happy to discuss providing any other information that trustees may need.

Transition Management

We’ll appoint an implementation manager, and a project manager if required. They’ll ensure that the transition from your existing arrangement runs as smoothly as possible and will:

• Understand and assess your needs
• Provide project management from the start
• Develop a shared project plan
• Provide guidance, options and training
• Provide you with regular updates

Technical support for trustees

We offer trustees 24-hour support through a range of dedicated online services.

To find out more about how our investment flexibility can help meet your needs please contact us.

Our proven administration platform helps us to deliver a consistent, robust service.

Scheme set up, management and ongoing administration is also fast and easy using our online service GroupPensionZone.

View the GroupPensionzone demonstration.

Other benefits of using our administration platform include:

• Straight through data processing - increasing efficiency and reducing market risk
• Multi site functionality - easier scheme management in multiple locations
• UK based servicing and support – and a nationwide employee communication team
• Dedicated client manager – backed by an experienced administration team
• Online servicing – for trustees, employers and members
• We can also provide dedicated employer and employee websites.

Important information

Before buying a product you need to be aware of the risks and commitment involved. Details are available in the relevant key features document. Seek financial advice if you're unsure if a product is suitable.

During the tender process, all schemes are considered on an individual basis.
 
Exceptional customer service for trustees and members is our core focus and is just one of the reasons you should choose Standard Life.

Costs are an important factor in any business decision. We take a flexible approach – letting you choose the features you need, while we ensure you obtain value and cost efficiency.

Trustees and scheme members can benefit from a range of features designed to deliver enhanced flexibility such as:

AMC and fee options

We provide bundled Annual Management Charge and fee options which reflect the range of services you have selected, such as:

• Administration
• Investment
• Member communications

Combinations of employer and/or member fees are also available.

Trustee unallocated account

Lets employer contributions which would be refunded (because of early leavers within 2 years) to remain invested in the scheme. Trustees can use these funds to offset future contributions or meet scheme expenses.

Buy out policies for leavers

Let you focus on supporting the needs of active members of the pension scheme.

By phone

Call the Corporate Solutions team on 0845 278 5630 (call charges may vary).

By email

Email: corporate_solutions@standardlife.com

Please note: there is no guarantee that any email sent will be received, or that the contents of any such email will remain private during internet submission. If you have any concerns, you may prefer to use the telephone.

We reserve the right to monitor the use and content of emails which are sent from and received by us for the purposes of ensuring compliance with our own email policy, and identifying and taking action against unlawful and improper use of our systems, including, but not limited to, spoofing, the transmission of computer viruses and denial of service attacks.