It’s Not Just About Costs

The announcement today from the Government with regard to cost transparency is welcome. It should not be hard for members to understand what they are paying – and what costs are being charged for both administration and investments.

There is one concern though- a rush to the lowest charges may not mean the best deal. There needs to be care involved in explaining costs. A higher administration charge in some cases may mean a local company DC plan can continue, rather than being swallowed up by one of the big providers, or by a master trust. And there’s a good reason for that additional cost if the result is a plan that is better suited to that company’s workforce, as well as it being better presented and explained.

As to investment costs being more transparent- about time too! But again, take care in explaining that lowest charges don’t always equate with best returns.

As employers and providers, we can’t just rely on costs being understood. Members need to understand the value of their pension plan, the fact that it’s tax efficient and that employer money is being paid in as well. These are basic things, but so often still misunderstood by a workforce that is apathetic to pensions. The employer and provider can’t afford the same apathy.

As always, pensions will remain complicated. And it's not just about costs. Good communication is key. Enthusiasm from the provider and employer sponsor is key too.

Regulator in Danger of Decreasing Pension Membership

At an SPS conference last week, the Regulator's spokesperson talked of the need to encourage consolidation of pension schemes and how to remove the barriers to consolidation.

At the end of her talk, I challenged her. Is she saying 'big is good'?

She assured me she wasn't saying 'big is good' but then went on to repeat what she had said in the talk- the need for lower fees and economies of scale.

There's a problem with this for the small and medium sized employers that value the pension plans they have. They have put the plans in place for a reason, they value them and they promote them to their staff, with a high take-up. they own the plan- it bears their name. It was designed by them.

The moment they are forced to consolidate into something bigger, they lose the 'family touch'. They lose the ownership.

We have seen over the years what happens when the MD or FD is excluded from the scheme they own as a company. Almost inevitably, they start to devalue the scheme and lose ownership of it.

The same will happen with the Regulator's plan for consolidation. Quality plans will be closed - squandered at the altar of spurious reductions in admin and investment fees.

Ownership is lost. Membership decreases.

An own goal for the Regulator.

Benefits that Drive Value

I met a Finance Director of a medium sized business recently. In our brief conversation, he made it clear he did not value the benefits his company provided to staff and saw them simply as an additional overhead.

If I’d had longer to talk, I’d have said more than I did. This is my follow up letter. (Not actually sent as I didn’t get his details!)



Dear Finance Director

It was good to meet you the other day.

I appreciate our conversation was a brief one, but if I’d had longer to chat, this is what I would have said….

I understand business is tough and from your point of view, additional benefits on top of salary are just overheads to be dealt with. But have you considered what you could do with those benefits at little extra cost to you?

Most employees don’t value their benefits either- mostly because employers don’t communicate them too well. I’m guessing that would include you- why communicate what you don’t value as a business manager? But the benefits all have value. The pension has matching employer contributions. That’s like free pay to your staff. Even the flexible holidays have a value, and the discounted affinity benefits have little cost to you but significant value to those who use them.

I guess I’m asking you to have another look at what you offer.  With the right communication, you can turn benefits from perceived business costs to providing a competitive edge for your company. Good benefits properly explained promote your business above and beyond your competitor who does not have those benefits- or does not bother communicating them. Small communication costs can provide a significant competitive edge, driven from staff wellbeing and a value well beyond the benefits themselves.

Benefits don’t have to be overheads. They can be your business case for future profitability.

Yours sincerely