BT Group notes the press release issued below by the BT Pension Scheme:
BT PENSION SCHEME TRUSTEE REDUCES LONGEVITY RISK
BT Pension Scheme ("BTPS" or the "Scheme") Trustee announces today that longevity insurance and reinsurance arrangements have been entered into to protect the Scheme against costs associated with potential increases in life expectancy.
These arrangements cover over 25% of the BTPS's total exposure to improvements in longevity, covering some £16bn of the Scheme's liabilities (measured on an economic basis1 at October 2013, the date the
insurance and reinsurance commences). The longevity insurance policy will provide long term protection and income to the Scheme in the event that members live longer than currently expected.
To facilitate the transaction and maximise the Scheme's access to the global insurance and reinsurance market, the Trustee has set up a wholly owned insurance company. BTPS has transferred longevity risk to this insurer, who has in turn reinsured this longevity risk with The Prudential Insurance Company of America ("PICA"), a U.S. based life insurance company. By using a wholly owned insurer, the Trustee was able to access capacity in the global insurance and reinsurance market directly and achieve the best value for the Scheme.
Paul Spencer, Chairman of the Trustee said: "This transaction has taken many months of hard work by the Scheme's executive team. This is a ground breaking deal in terms of size, structure and with one of the leading life insurance companies in the United States providing reinsurance. But more than this, the Trustee is delighted with a transaction that significantly reduces risk and provides enhanced security for members".
The longevity insurance policy will form part of the Scheme's investment portfolio. These arrangements will not require additional contributions to be made by BT.
BTPS was advised by Towers Watson and Allen & Overy LLP with support from Hogan Lovells.