The longevity swap, which covers the majority of the Scheme’s DB pensioners, will protect the Scheme against the risk of the covered members or their dependants living longer than expected. Structured as an innovative UK “pass through” insurance contract with Zurich, the deal sees 100% of the longevity risk reinsured by Canada Life Reinsurance. The swap structure was tailored to balance the Trustee’s key requirements of maximising future flexibility, control and security whilst minimising cost, governance and operational burden.
Suthan Rajagopalan, Partner at Mercer and lead adviser to the Trustee, commented: “Longevity risk management has been on the Trustee’s agenda for several years, and we are proud to have advised on this alongside broader strategic de-risking. This transaction was the result of a thorough review of the Scheme’s longevity risk exposures and the options, initially including bulk annuities, for reducing these, complementing the Trustee’s ongoing derisking programme and investment strategy.”
Richard Hardie, Chair of the Trustee to the Scheme, added: “This transaction is an important building-block in our plan to reduce the uncertainties facing the DB section of our Scheme as it approaches maturity. It adds considerably to the security of all DB members’ pensions; the longevity risk attaching to approximately half its liabilities (broadly its pensioners) has been removed. Until now all the longevity risk in the Scheme has been unhedged. We are delighted to have completed this agreement on terms satisfactory to all parties with continuing excellent support from the Sponsor, UBS. The Trustee is very grateful to its advisers for seeing the market opportunity and for tailoring the complex structure to its needs.”
Jeff Poulin, Global Head of Canada Life Reinsurance, noted: “We are pleased to have worked with the Trustee’s advisors, Mercer, on this innovative transaction structure, to support both Zurich and the UBS Pension Trustee in protecting the UBS pensioners. This longevity transaction adds to Canada Life Reinsurance’s UK longevity portfolio and solidifies our position as a leader in this marketplace.”
Greg Wenzerul, Zurich’s Head of Longevity Risk Transfer, said, “We adapted Zurich’s large-scheme longevity swap solution to fit the Trustee’s requirements for a flexible, long-term insurance solution to hedge the Scheme’s longevity risk in a cost effective manner. The Trustee, Canada Life Reinsurance and their respective advisers deserve huge credit for the efficient execution of this transaction during a period of severe turbulence and uncertainty, the nature of which further underlines the benefit and security of using a UK regulated insurer for longevity hedging.”
Caroline Stewart, UK CFO UBS AG, commented, “UBS AG as sponsor to the Scheme was consulted throughout the process and is fully supportive of the Trustee’s strategic risk management objectives and investment decision to materially reduce longevity risk via this type of transaction.”
The Trustee was also advised by FTI Consulting, Gowling WLG (UK) LLP, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP in Canada and Chancery Chambers LLP in Barbados. Canada Life Reinsurance and Zurich took legal advice from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP and by Pinsent Masons LLP respectively.
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