Pensions

We're working with our new pensions advisers Lane Clark & Peacock (LCP) to keep the sector up to date on key areas affecting housing associations.

Our pensions advisers

LCP is a leading pensions and benefits consultancy with particular expertise in helping housing associations to provide better pensions to their staff and to manage legacy pension issues.

This is a time of significant change for pension schemes. The NHF is working in partnership with LCP, a market-leading pensions and benefits consultancy with considerable experience in our sector, to engage effectively with regulators and policymakers on pension policy. LCP will also ensure our member organisations are fully aware of key developments and opportunities in the pensions and benefits arena affecting housing associations.  

Providing better pensions and outcomes for NHF members

LCP helps housing associations improve the pensions they offer and manage their legacy pension liabilities effectively and efficiently. 

We are working together with LCP to effectively shape pension policy in the social housing sector and to deliver the best pension outcomes for the NHF’s members.

Our joint aim is to create an environment where housing associations can allocate resources most effectively to deliver their social purpose, improve pensions for colleagues and help organisations achieve the best value from their pension schemes.

Services

LCP’s specialist social housing team has unparalleled experience and connections, both in the sector and across the wider political, regulatory and pension environments.

LCP advise more than 50 housing associations, and in the past year alone have advised associations representing around 25% of the English housing market, with organisations ranging in size from under 5,000 units to over 200,000 units and including more than half of the G15 group of the largest London associations. 

The LCP team are experienced in helping organisations plan and implement pension change.

Whether you have employees in:

Or any combination of the above options, LCP can help you understand your exposure, manage pension risks and get better value for money.

“Thank you for making complex pension matters so easy for us to follow.” - Director of Finance, Housing Association

LCP advise housing associations on all aspects of their pension provisions including:

  • Developing a pensions, benefits and financial wellbeing strategy for employees.
  • Managing defined benefit exposures (e.g. in SHPS or the LGPS).
  • Improving defined contribution provision.
  • Optimising pensions investments.
  • Covenant assistance (for example evidencing long-term strength for sponsors may wish to negotiate temporary pension contribution deferrals).
  • Flexible benefits and rewards, including member surveys, benefit benchmarking, salary sacrifice and implementation of new flexible benefit offerings.
  • Strategic journey planning, including streamlined pension scheme buy-in and buy-out service.
  • Due diligence for mergers and acquisitions.
  • Pensions accounting.
  • Pensions and benefits change project management.

LCP resources

LCP has produced a range of insightful publications, webinars, and other resources covering key pension topics. These are available below to access online.

Further guidance on the latest pensions developments can be found below.

An update from LCP on Defined Contribution (DC) pensions

LCP Principal Simon Jackson and Senior Consultant Jessica Clayson look at how to get the most out of your DC pension arrangements to the benefit of you and your members.

Read more

What can we expect from the SHPS valuation 2023 and what do we need to do?

Damian Bailey, Principal in LCP’s Social Housing practice, brings some welcome good news and sets out key actions for housing associations before the results are published in Autumn 2024. 

Read more

Housing associations are at a pensions crossroads

Luke Hothersall, Partner in LCP’s Social Housing practice, considers the opportunities available to housing associations in relation to pensions – tackling both past problems and future opportunities.

Read more

Our new pensions advisers and Preferred Supplier - LCP

Following a competitive tender process, LCP introduce themselves to NHF members. We’re looking forward to working with them and forming a lasting partnership.  

Read more

LCP team members

The key members of the LCP team who are working with the NHF include:

Mike Richardson
Head of Social Housing Practice
Tel:  020 7432 6649
Email: mike.richardson@lcp.uk.com

Richard Soldan
Head of Not-for-Profit Practice
Tel: 020 7432 6631
Email: richard.soldan@lcp.uk.com

Tim Gilbert
Housing Sector Specialist
Tel: 020 7432 6783
Email: tim.gilbert@lcp.uk.com

Luke Hothersall
Housing Sector Specialist
Tel: 020 7432 6796
Email: luke.hothersall@lcp.uk.com

 

David Fairs
Regulatory Lead
Tel: 020 7432 6681
Email: david.fairs@lcp.uk.com

Sir Steve Webb
Policy Lead
Tel: 020 3824 7441
Email: steve.webb@lcp.uk.com

Laura Myers
Head of Defined Contribution & Financial Wellbeing
Tel: 020 7432 6639
Email: laura.myers@lcp.uk.com

Francesca Bailey
Covenant Specialist
Tel: 020 7432 3084
Email: francesca.bailey@lcp.uk.com

Who to speak to

Adam Gravely, Finance Policy Officer