Corporate Adviser Intelligence creates independent research reports and guides that give in-depth analysis of the workplace benefits sector and the financial services organisations operating in it.
2024 Reports & Guides
Guide to Private Markets in DC Pensions
The drive to private markets, accelerated by the Mansion House Compact, is arguably the biggest change to the way DC pensions approach investment for decades. Yet for many in the sector, these asset classes are new and relatively unknown.
This guide helps consultants, advisers and trustees to better understand the performance attributes, risk characteristics, pricing models and product structures used to invest in private markets.
To request your copy, click here
Private Markets in DC: Adviser and Trustee Perspective
The DC pensions industry, traditionally reliant on passive funds, is shifting towards incorporating illiquid investments, driven by the UK government’s Mansion House Compact and the potential for better risk/return outcomes. This marks a significant change in investment strategy, challenging the sector’s historical focus on low-cost, passive funds. Integrating private market assets introduces complexities, including performance fees, valuation opacity, and potential liquidity issues during market downturns. Success in this transition requires engaging all stakeholders—employers, advisors, members, and trustees—to justify higher costs for potentially greater returns. While research shows general support for the shift, effective communication is needed to address concerns and ensure buy-in. The shift aligns with the government’s aim to increase investment within the UK. If successful, it could benefit DC investors with higher returns, but its true impact remains to be seen as the industry navigates these changes.
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Workplace Protection & Wellbeing Report
This sixth edition of Corporate Adviser Intelligence’s Workplace Protection and Wellbeing Report analysis the propositions, market share and strategy of UK group risk, healthcare, cash plan and standalone wellbeing providers. The report explores adviser attitudes to different types of benefit, ROI, functionality, product features, the regulatory background and market innovations and developments. It also includes a page-by-page guide to all of the key players in the market, across all workplace protection and wellbeing product and service lines.
To request your copy, click here
Corporate Cash & Dental Plans Report
Cash plans have been a key tool in supporting the health and wellbeing of staff through the difficult years of the pandemic and subsequent cost-of-living crisis. Visible, simple and affordable, they have been a vital support to employers in engaging with staff in the new workplace paradigm.
The second edition of this report combines analysis of the market coverage, proposition and payout ratios of industry players, with year-on-year trend analysis of market share.
It also includes qualitative research into the opinions of advisers, consultants and brokers who speak to employers about corporate cash plans every day of their working lives. The research was conducted through in-depth interviews with nine leading intermediaries.
To request your copy, click here
Master Trust and GPP Defaults Report
Containing the only publicly-available industrywide performance data on UK master trusts and GPPs, this report offers detailed analysis, of investment strategy and returns, asset allocation breakdowns, provider business volumes and adviser opinions. The Master Trust and GPP Defaults Report also analyses providers’ propositions, technology, withdrawal behaviour, approach to governance and at-retirement strategy.
To request your copy, click here
ESG in DC Pensions Report
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing has never had a higher profile in the world of DC pensions. Yet confusion as to the ESG capabilities and credentials of all parts of the investment chain, from providers, through schemes, to asset managers, remains rife.
This report comprises proprietary research that dissects the ESG and responsible investment strategies of all the main DC pension providers, including master trusts and GPP providers, as well as all the asset managers active in the UK DC universe. The report reveals and compares what providers and asset managers actually do in their default and other DC offerings, how much they tilt, screen and filter stocks and sectors, how they execute their stewardship responsibilities and how they approach net zero carbon. It includes profile pages summarising the ESG and responsible investment capabilities of all key asset managers in the UK DC universe.
To request your copy, click here
2023 Reports & Guides
Guide to Second 50
This Guide to discussed the need to rethink our approach to life’s phases due to increased longevity, with many living beyond 100. It highlights the necessity to adapt retirement planning and overall mindset, emphasising lifelong learning, personal development, and maintaining physical and mental health. Employers are urged to support employees in preparing financially for this ‘Second 50’ of life, through pension saving and encouraging investments in wellbeing.
To request your copy, click here
Guide to Net Zero Pathways
This Guide to outlines the critical role of the pension industry in steering UK DC pensions towards a net zero future, balancing its responsibilities as a significant asset owner and ensuring a sustainable future for its members. It critiques superficial low-carbon strategies, advocating for a more sophisticated approach to sustainability that goes beyond mere divestment. The DC Pensions industry faces the challenge of integrating complex climate-related financial disclosures and making informed decisions that consider the broader environmental impact of investments, like the carbon-intensive process of constructing windmills. A guide with expert insights is mentioned, aimed at guiding pension schemes through these nuanced aspects of transitioning to net zero.
To request your copy, click here
Workplace Pensions Into Retirement Report
This report analyses the at-retirement functionality, investment strategy and communications approach of all the UK’s key master trusts and contract-based group personal pension (GPP) and group Sipp providers, representing the great majority of the nation’s DC pension savers. It analyses schemes’ ability to interact with advisers, as well as adoption of digital advice propositions.
The report also analyses contract-based providers’ investment pathways strategies, including analysis of their asset allocation approach for each strategy and the returns delivered to date. It includes both quantitative research from more than 20 providers and 60 financial advisers, as well as qualitative research and analysis of the sector.
To request your copy, click here
Provider Service Ratings Report
Corporate Adviser’s Provider Service Ratings Report analyses advisers’ perceptions of the service delivered by group pensions, group PMI, group risk and corporate cash plan providers.
Ratings are based on independent market research conducted with over 100 advisers, consultants and brokers. Providers are ranked by intermediaries for their overall service proposition across six sub-areas: Communication; Provider-generated adviser support content; Ease of use of adviser-facing technology; Staff expertise; Quality of administration; Appreciating my business.
The report also analyses the factors advisers take into account when considering the service proposition of the providers they interact with.
Workplace Protection & Wellbeing Report
This fifth edition of Corporate Adviser Intelligence’s Workplace Savings Report analysis the proposition, market share and strategy of UK workplace savings product providers. It monitors adviser attitudes to workplace savings and interprets key regulatory market, regulatory and sector trends. This year’s report reveals that the bundled assets of workplace savings providers – those life insurers, platform savings firms and other providers offering both pension and broader workplace savings such as Isas.
The report also analyses the various levels of success made by providers in engaging staff with workplace savings – some have done considerably better than others.
Corporate Cash & Dental Plans Report
Cash plans have been a key tool in supporting the health and wellbeing of staff through the difficult years of the pandemic and subsequent cost-of-living crisis. Visible, simple and affordable, they have been a vital support to employers in engaging with staff in the new workplace paradigm.
This report combines analysis of the market coverage, proposition and payout ratios of industry players, with year-on-year trend analysis of market share.
It also includes qualitative research into the opinions of advisers, consultants and brokers who speak to employers about corporate cash plans every day of their working lives. The research was conducted through in-depth interviews with nine leading intermediaries.
Master Trust and GPP Defaults Report
Containing the only publicly-available industrywide performance data on UK master trusts and GPPs, this report offers detailed analysis, of investment strategy and returns, asset allocation breakdowns, provider business volumes and adviser opinions. The Master Trust and GPP Defaults Report also analyses providers’ propositions, technology, withdrawal behaviour, approach to governance and at-retirement strategy.
ESG in DC Pensions Report
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing has never had a higher profile in the world of DC pensions. Yet confusion as to the ESG capabilities and credentials of all parts of the investment chain, from providers, through schemes, to asset managers, remains rife.
This report comprises proprietary research that dissects the ESG and responsible investment strategies of all the main DC pension providers, including master trusts and GPP providers, as well as all the asset managers active in the UK DC universe. The report reveals and compares what providers and asset managers actually do in their default and other DC offerings, how much they tilt, screen and filter stocks and sectors, how they execute their stewardship responsibilities and how they approach net zero carbon. It includes profile pages summarising the ESG and responsible investment capabilities of all key asset managers in the UK DC universe.
2022 Reports & Guides
Sustainability in DC Pensions: The Consultants’ Perspective
This report analyses the views and perspectives of investment consultants and workplace pension advisers in relation to sustainable investing in defined contribution pensions. Conducted in partnership with the DC Investment Forum, the research draws on in-depth interviews with sustainability experts at 9 major investment consultancies and qualitative research with over 50 DC pension consultants. The report covers attitudes to greenwashing, fiduciary duty, investment returns, the quality of carbon disclosure data for different asset classes and the likelihood of schemes meeting 2030 and 2050 net-zero targets. It also explores the impact of the Russia/Ukraine conflict on the decarbonisation process, attitudes to factors covered in the ‘S’ of ESG, impact investment and consultants expectations of what they think they should be hearing from asset managers.
To request your copy, click here
Guide to the Psychology of Financial Wellbeing
This guide comprises an in-depth analysis of the theory and implementation of behavioural and psychological techniques in the delivery of financial wellbeing strategies. It includes contributions from a wide range of stakeholders with deep expertise in psychology, behavioural finance and financial wellbeing. Designed to support consultants and advisers in communicating pensions and other employee benefits to staff, this guide is offers a top-down view of all areas of the psychology of financial wellbeing.
To request your copy, click here
Workplace Pensions Into Retirement Report
This report analyses the at-retirement functionality, investment strategy and communications approach of all the UK’s key master trusts and contract-based group personal pension (GPP) and group Sipp providers, representing the great majority of the nation’s DC pension savers. It analyses schemes’ ability to interact with advisers, as well as adoption of digital advice propositions.
The report also analyses contract-based providers’ investment pathways strategies, including analysis of their asset allocation approach for each strategy and the returns delivered to date. It includes both quantitative research from 23 providers and 60 financial advisers, as well as qualitative research and analysis of the sector.
Provider Service Ratings Report
Corporate Adviser’s Provider Service Ratings Report 2022 analyses advisers’ perceptions of the service delivered by group pensions, group PMI, group risk and corporate cash plan providers.
Ratings are based on independent market research conducted with over 100 advisers, consultants and brokers. Providers are ranked by intermediaries for their overall service proposition across six sub-areas: Communication; Provider-generated adviser support content; Ease of use of adviser-facing technology; Staff expertise; Quality of administration; Appreciating my business.
The report also analyses the factors advisers take into account when considering the service proposition of the providers they interact with.
Workplace Protection & Wellbeing Report
This fourth edition of Corporate Adviser’s Workplace Protection & Wellbeing Report gives a complete picture of the providers operating in the group risk, corporate healthcare, cash plan and wellbeing sectors. The report includes tables showing year-on-year changes in provider market share, growth in employees and employers using workplace protection and wellbeing products and analysis of propositions and industry trends.
Master Trust & GPP Defaults Report
This report is the fifth iteration of Corporate Adviser Intelligence’s Master Trust and GPP Defaults Report. This research covers master trust and contract-based defaults with assets totalling over £500bn. Together they invest assets for around 16m active and 14m deferred UK pension savers.
Qualitative research was carried out with pension consultants, financial advisers, trustees, master trusts, asset managers and life insurers. Quantitative research was carried out amongst over 40 DC pension consultants and advisers. All data was collected between October 2021 and March 2022.
ESG in DC Pensions Report
Embracing environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing has become one of the central challenges of defined contribution pensions. Adoption of ESG and responsible investment strategies has been accelerated by a combination of regulatory pressure, consumer demand, shareholder activism, brand protection and goodwill. But untangling and understanding the way providers and asset managers are approaching this mammoth challenge is extremely complex.
The ESG in DC Pensions Report benchmarks the strategies adopted by providers and asset managers in the workplace pensions sector. This 80 page report is based on data collected by Corporate Adviser Intelligence from 16 asset managers active in the DC sector and 21 master trusts and contract-based workplace DC pension providers.
2021 Reports & Guides
Provider Service Ratings Report
Corporate Adviser’s Provider Service Ratings Report analyses advisers’ perceptions of the service delivered by group pensions, group PMI, group risk and corporate cash plan providers.
Ratings are based on independent market research conducted with over 100 advisers, consultants and brokers. Providers are ranked by intermediaries for their overall service proposition across six sub-areas: Communication; Provider-generated adviser support content; Ease of use of adviser-facing technology; Staff expertise; Quality of administration; Appreciating my business.
The report also analyses the factors advisers take into account when considering the service proposition of the providers they interact with.
Guide to ESG in DC Pensions
Climate change and the road to net zero have been the key drivers for the massively increased focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing in pensions. But there are numerous other factors driving ESG up the pensions agenda.
This Corporate Adviser Intelligence guide gives an overview of the many ways in which ESG is impacting DC pensions – covering greenwashing, how the role of the trustee has changed, the impact of new regulations on climate reporting, how performance is affected and the complex web of organisations, coalitions, standard setters, pressure groups, data organisations and NGOs that shape ESG decision making.
To request a copy, click here
Workplace Savings Report
This fourth edition of Corporate Adviser Intelligence’s Workplace Savings Report analysis the proposition, market share and strategy of UK workplace savings product providers. It monitors adviser attitudes to workplace savings and interprets key regulatory market, regulatory and sector trends. This year’s report reveals that the bundled assets of workplace savings providers – those life insurers, platform savings firms and other providers offering both pension and broader workplace savings such as Isas – grew by 22 per cent in the year to 30 June 2021. It shows Aviva is the biggest bundled provider in the UK, growing its assets by 18 per cent, while L&G’s grew by 39 per cent.
The report also analyses the various levels of success made by providers in engaging staff with workplace savings – some have done considerably better than others.
Workplace Pensions Into Retirement Report
This report analyses the at-retirement functionality, investment strategy and communications approach of 19 master trusts and seven contract-based group personal pension (GPP) and group Sipp providers, representing the great majority of the nation’s DC pension savers. It analyses schemes’ ability to interact with advisers, including approach to defined benefit transfers and adviser charging, as well as adoption of digital advice propositions.
The report also analyses contract-based providers’ investment pathways strategies, including analysis of their asset allocation approach for each strategy and the returns delivered to date.
Guide to Diversity and Inclusion in DC Pensions
Promoting diversity and ensuring an inclusive workplace culture is good people management for organisations of all types, in all industries. When it comes to organisations operating in the defined contribution (DC) pensions sector, the importance of a strong diversity and inclusion strategy is even greater. This is because in DC pensions the benefits of embracing diversity and inclusion are material on three levels – extending beyond the impact on individuals working within organisations, to the outcomes experienced by scheme members and customers, and even to the performance of the investments held within schemes’ funds.
This guide aims to give an overview of the many ways that diversity and inclusion issues impact the DC sector and highlight best practice strategies and resources to support making pensions more diverse and inclusive.
To request a copy, click here
Workplace Protection & Wellbeing Report
The Workplace Protection and Wellbeing Report 2021 is the third iteration of Corporate Adviser’s definitive analysis of the group risk, corporate healthcare, cash plan and wellbeing sectors.
The report gives an X-ray view of each of these sectors, highlighting year-on-year market share changes of all the main providers, identifying sector trends and analysing regulatory developments. The 2021 report builds on previous years’ data to give an unrivalled view of all key stakeholders delivering benefits to protect and improve the wellbeing of UK workers. The research examines key metrics considered useful to intermediaries, including providers’ business turnover, numbers of employers, target customer areas, product features and functionality and other factors key to advisers’ provider selection processes.
The report consists of qualitative data from providers, qualitative and quantitative research with consultants and advisers and in-depth interviews with key industry stakeholders, conducted by Corporate Adviser Intelligence’s research team. Chapters cover different product types and areas, with each provider also profiled in the report, making it a have-and-keep directory for intermediaries as well as a leading piece of research.
Master Trust and GPP Defaults Report
Containing the only publicly-available industrywide performance data on UK master trusts and GPPs, this report offers detailed analysis, of investment strategy and returns, asset allocation breakdowns, provider business volumes and adviser opinions. The 92-page Master Trust and GPP Defaults Report also analyses providers’ propositions, technology, withdrawal behaviour, approach to governance and at-retirement strategy.
This research covers master trust and contract-based defaults with assets totalling almost £500bn. Together they invest assets for around 12m active and 12m deferred UK pension savers. The report includes data from 27 providers, including master trusts and GPP.
ESG in DC Pensions Report
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing has never had a higher profile in the world of DC pensions. Yet confusion as to the ESG capabilities and credentials of all parts of the investment chain, from providers, through schemes, to asset managers, remains rife.
This 72-page report comprises proprietary research that dissects the ESG and responsible investment strategies of all the main DC pension providers, including master trusts and GPP providers, as well as all the asset managers active in the UK DC universe. The report reveals and compares what providers and asset managers actually do in their default and other DC offerings, how much they tilt, screen and filter stocks and sectors, how they execute their stewardship responsibilities and how they approach net zero carbon. It includes profile pages summarising the ESG and responsible investment capabilities of all key asset managers in the UK DC universe.
2020 Reports & Guides
Workplace Savings Report
This third iteration of Corporate Adviser Intelligence’s Workplace Savings Report benchmarks the proposition, market share and strategy of UK workplace savings product providers, monitors adviser attitudes to workplace savings and analyses key regulatory market, regulatory and sector trends. Assets in the defined contribution (DC) sector have continued to grow in the 12 months to June 2020, and in many cases have grown substantially. The Covid crisis has also affected other parts of the workplace savings sector: with a renewed focus on financial resilience from both employers and employees. Over the year there has been strong double-digit growth from some providers offering workplace Isas, although Isa assets remain a fraction of the size of the DC pensions market.
Guide to Transferring to a Master Trust
The consolidation of defined contribution pension schemes into master trusts is a process that has been ongoing for a considerable time. But this journey is far from over. Today the number of single-employer DC trust schemes in existence is already less than half that of a decade ago, yet TPR data shows more than £33bn remains outside authorised master trusts, without including DB/DC hybrids. The opportunity for employers with single-employer trust schemes to switch to lower-cost yet in many cases better- run master trusts is vast.
This guide covers all stages of the transfer process – the size of the market, reasons for switching, factors to bear in mind when choosing, communication strategies, a timeline for transfers and perspectives from TPR, advisers, lawyers and trustees.
To request a copy click here.
Workplace Protection and Wellbeing Report
The Workplace Protection and Wellbeing Report 2020 is the second iteration of Corporate Adviser’s ground-breaking analysis of the group risk, corporate healthcare, cash plan business protection and wellbeing sectors.
The Report analyses market dynamics, show year-on-year market share changes, identify sector trends and interpret past and future regulatory changes. The 2020 report builds on our existing data set to give an unrivalled view of all key stakeholders delivering benefits to protect and improve the wellbeing of UK workers. The research examines key metrics considered useful to intermediaries, including providers’ business turnover, numbers of employers, target customer areas, product features and functionality and other factors key to advisers’ provider selection processes.
The report consists of qualitative data from providers, qualitative and quantitative research with consultants and advisers and in-depth interviews with key industry stakeholders, conducted by Corporate Adviser Intelligence’s research team. Chapters cover different product types and areas, with each provider also profiled in the report, making it a have-and-keep directory for intermediaries as well as a leading piece of research.
Master Trust and GPP Defaults Report
Master trust and GPP defaults are growing in scale exponentially, with the Master Trust and GPP Defaults Report showing that the master trust sector predicted to grow to £200bn by 2025 and around £340bn by 2030.
The report highlights the different strategies, asset allocation approaches, risk models and performance outcomes of 30 master trust and GPP default funds together investing over £89bn for more than 12 million UK savers. It also covers the different asset managers used and their approach to ESG, as well as investment advisers, technology, communications and at-retirement functionality.
ESG and Responsible Investing in DC Pensions Report
The ESG in DC Pensions Report details the various ESG and responsible investment options that are currently available in the DC pensions market, with an emphasis on master trusts and contract-based default investment strategies. It covers 15 asset managers with combine assets of over £11 trillion.
The report looks at two key aspects of ESG. The first is capital allocation – examining in detail specific ESG or SRI funds offered, particularly in relation to default auto-enrolment options. Secondly it covers the wider issue of asset management.
2019 Reports
Benchmarking Pension Contributions Special Report
An in-depth look into pensions contribution across the UK workplace landscape looking into DC, group personal and group stakeholder pensions. The report will analyse the trends across the different demographics and sectors. The aim of the report is to provide advisers and EBCs with a reference guide on pension contributions.
To request a copy, click here
Workplace Savings Report
The Workplace Savings Report analyses the proposition, market share and strategy of the workplace savings product providers, with combined assets in excess of £300bn, offering pensions and savings products to UK employers. It includes data and analysis of the emerging corporate Isa market, as well as research into payroll lenders. It also includes bespoke research conducted with over 60 senior employee benefit consultants and corporate IFAs which examines the factors they prioritise when sourcing providers for employers. The report also comprises qualitative research from numerous interviews with industry professionals, both providers and intermediaries.
Master Trust & GPP Defaults Report
The Master Trust & GPP Defaults Report is the leading source of in-depth data and research on the fast-growing master trust and contract-based pension market. The research includes detailed information on 32 of the biggest master trusts in the UK and the biggest contract-based schemes, together with assets of £56bn and more than 16 million members. The report examines performance and asset allocation at different stages of the savings journey, administration, technology and asset managers used. It also incorporates qualitative research with intermediaries and other stakeholders. The report has highlighted massive differences in approach to asset allocation and risk strategy by schemes, and wide variances in performance.
Workplace Protection and Wellbeing Report
This in-depth report into the state of the workplace wellbeing and protection sector, covering group risk, group PMI, health cash plans, business protection and wellbeing service provision. The report analyses market dynamics identifying trends in the sector and interpret how regulatory changes will influence future sector development. It will include qualitative and quantitative research into all parts of the workplace protection and wellbeing value chain – across administration and platforms, market coverage, product offering, lives covered, as well as an overview of regulatory changes. As part of the report we will also be profiling the propositions of providers of group risk, group PMI, health cash plans, business protection and wellbeing services individually.
This research report will offer detailed information on the propositions of all main providers in each sector, to give advisers, consultants and brokers an authoritative and definitive source of information on the size and shape of the market, product offerings and sector trends.
ESG and Responsible Investment in DC Pensions Report
The ESG in DC Pensions Report details the various ESG and responsible investment options that are currently available in the DC pensions market, with an emphasis on master trusts and contract-based default investment strategies. It covers 15 asset managers with combine assets of over £11 trillion.
The report looks at two key aspects of ESG. The first is capital allocation – examining in detail specific ESG or SRI funds offered, particularly in relation to default auto-enrolment options. Secondly it covers the wider issue of asset management.
2018 Reports
Workplace Savings Report
The Workplace Savings Report analyses the proposition, market share and strategy of the eight workplace savings product providers, with combined assets in excess of £310bn, offering pensions and savings products to UK employers. It includes bespoke research conducted with over 60 senior employee benefit consultants and corporate IFAs which examines the factors they prioritise when sourcing providers for employers. The report also comprises qualitative research from numerous interviews with industry professionals, both providers and intermediaries.
Master Trust Defaults Report
The Master Trust Defaults Report is the leading source of in-depth data and research on the fast-growing master trust and contract-based pension market. The research includes detailed information on over 20 of the biggest master trusts in the UK and the biggest contract-based schemes, together with assets of over £25bn and more than 10 million members.
For more information
To find out more information about the Corporate Adviser Intelligence reports, please contact:
Ricardo Medina
Group Commercial Director, Corporate Adviser
M: 07939 955586
ricardo.medina@definitearticlemedia.com
