Longevity Risk

Howard Kearns explores the biggest remaining risks for DB pension schemes.

Willis Towers Watson special report

The ICL Group Pension Plan has entered into a £3.7bn intermediated longevity swap via a Guernsey-based captive, with Swiss Re reinsuring the risk.

The Prudential Insurance Company of America (PICA) has concluded a £6bn longevity reinsurance deal, with Zurich Assurance acting as an intermediary on a pass-through basis.

The Axa UK Group Pension Scheme has agreed a £3bn longevity swap with Hannover Re, insuring the longevity risk of a largely non-pensioner population.

The uncertainty surrounding the potential impact of so-called long Covid and behavioural changes heightens the need for schemes to increase their longevity hedging, says Prudential Financial.

Pension risk transfer volumes this year will look similar to those in 2020 as market volatility creates opportunities for schemes able to act fast, according to Willis Towers Watson.

Deaths in England and Wales were 51% higher in week 52 of 2020 than the corresponding period of 2019, although partly inflated by bank holidays, according to the Continuous Mortality Investigation (CMI).

The BBC Pension Scheme has completed a £3bn longevity swap deal with Zurich and Canada Life Reinsurance, covering the risk of pensioner and dependent members.

Companies could be overstating their pension liabilities by up to £60bn due to their life expectancy assumptions, according to XPS Pensions Group.