Broadstone advised on more than £500m of bulk purchase annuity business through its SM&RT Insure proposition during a record 2025.
This proposition is designed to offer an efficient process for small and medium-sized DB schemes looking at endgame options, through bulk annuity purchase to wind-up. The proposition was launched in 2021, and the high volume of business transacted last year means Broadstone has now advised on £1bn worth of premiums through this service.
In total it advised on 36 bulk purchase annuity transactions through SM&RT Insure last year, worth a total of £508m in de-risking premiums, which together protected the benefits of more than 5,000 scheme members.
This includes 21 transactions below £10m and working on the first, landmark buy out transaction using the Aviva Clarity fast track option.
Since SM&RT Insure was established, it has helped to de-risk over 61 schemes in total with aggregate premiums exceeding £1bn and insuring the benefits of over 9,000 members.
Broadstone predicts that demand for de-risking solutions at the smaller end of the market will remain strong this year.
Broadstone head of trustee services Christopher Rice says: “In a hugely competitive de-risking market, it is critical that smaller schemes are well-prepared and strongly positioned for an efficient transaction process. This is important to attracting insurers, executing quickly and securing an affordable price point.
“The success of SM&RT Insure has helped to protect the benefits of thousands of scheme members and is a testament to the hard work of our team.
“Looking ahead to 2026, we are expecting another busy year in the bulk purchase annuity market especially at the smaller end of the market which is experiencing the highest level of demand,
“As more insurers and other vehicles engage with smaller deals, and pricing becoming increasingly competitive, trustees and sponsors of small schemes can be confident of achieving a good outcome if they prepare properly.”
