Reasons for pension paralysis revealed

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Reasons for pension paralysis revealed

An poll of more than 100 organisations by LifeSight, Willis Towers Watson’s UK defined contribution master trust, revealed many employees are opting to stay in a default investment fund or only saving the default contribution rate into their pension, potentially missing out on matching contributions from their employer.

The top three reasons cited by employers for their employees neglecting to save more into their pensions were all based on other saving priorities taking precedence.

Putting money away for a house or holiday was the biggest barrier to pension saving, with more than half of employers (56 per cent) recognising it.

Personalised pension communication could be an important way of addressing inertia in pension savings.David Bird

One-in-five employers (20 per cent) suggested the complexity and lack of understanding of the reward on offer was the main reason while 17 per cent suggested it was an affordability issue.

Despite the apparent challenges organisations are facing in engaging employees in their pensions, more than half (57 per cent) admitted their pension communications are not personalised for the individual.

Additionally, more than third of all organisations (37 per cent) reported that they did not currently have any plans to play a greater role in the long-term savings of their employees.

David Bird, head of proposition development at LifeSight, said: “This is a worrying, but unsurprising finding. Employees focusing on short-term savings is a common challenge. Personalised pension communication could be an important way of addressing inertia in pension savings.

“With the recent increase in the state retirement age to 68 for many, employees will need to take a much more proactive approach to saving if they want to retire well or earlier.

"Providing engaging online tools which make member’s saving decisions more relatable can help nudge them into action, for example by helping them understand how it impacts the age at which they can retire.”

Richard Veal, line of business leader (UK) reward, talent, communication and change management at Towers Watson, said: “In 2017, there is no reason why the pensions industry should be lagging behind with outdated communication methods, such as paper statements and brochures.

"By analysing behavioural patterns underpinning saving attitudes and strategies, using modern technology and making pensions more relatable, the industry can become better enablers of pension saving decisions.

“With their significant access to and influence over the UK’s workforce, employers can also play a crucial role in driving engagement and ultimately help guide their employees to financial security in retirement.

"Good communication with employees will be critical in overcoming the UK’s current pension paralysis.”

Alistair Cunningham, director of Wingate Financial Planning in Caterham, said the research underlines the importance of employers choosing sensible default funds "which has become even more crucial with the advent of the pension freedoms."

Scott Gallacher, chartered financial planner at Leicester's Rowley Turton, said: "Sadly the research reveals little seems to be changing within the pensions area.

"Inertia from the general public is a continuing problem which is compounded by providers' poor communications.

"Unfortunately, I think some of this will be a by product of the obsession on charges, i.e. lower cost and lower profit pensions do not give providers the capital or the incentive to invest in improving matters."

Fiona Tait, technical direction at Intelligent Pensions, said there is a much more fundamental  reason many employees are sticking to default funds other than the range of justifications given - it is simply easier to go with the flow.

She said: "Many of those now saving in defined contribution schemes are used to their employer and/or the state making their decisions for them and to expect them to be able to pick up that challenge from a standing start is very optimistic.

"I agree that personalised communications should be improved and people should be encouraged to look at and plan for their individual future but it is likely to take time before the average saver can understand and act on the information given.

"That is why the employer defaults - contributions rates and investment choices - are so crucial. Both government and industry must continue to focus on improving standards as the inexorable shift away from defined benefit pension continues."

stephanie.hawthorne@ft.com