The Meaning of Life: An Uncertain Future for the Traditional Life Company Business Model in the UK’s Private Sector Pensions Market

Abstract

This report sets out the results of an independent investigation of the UK’s life company business model in the context of the dramatic changes to the private sector pensions market. The main focus is the defined contribution (DC) market, including the back books of the pre-2001 era and the books of more recent workplace schemes and individual plans for the periods of accumulation (contributions) and decumulation (withdrawals of cash and regular retirement income). We also consider insurance solutions in the defined benefit (DB) pensions market, namely, bulk-purchase annuities (BPAs).

JEL Classification: G22