Mercer Investment Consulting has launched an “investment platform” for defined contribution (DC) pension schemes in the UK.
Mercer says the platform has been designed to help scheme trustees and plan sponsors deliver DC investment options and benefits to their members more efficiently. It offers trustees a range of asset classes from which they can customise investment choices suited to their scheme.
“In building the investment platform we did not focus solely on fee savings, but rather on delivering high quality, institutional-level investment management and advice to an under served constituency – DC members,” explains Andrew Kirton, UK Head of Mercer Investment Consulting.
Trustees will have access to Mercer’s manager research and regular investment updates, while members will benefit from trustees’ ability to select and design higher quality investment funds, says Mercer in a statement.
The platform will use automated processing from the administrator through to the fund manager to reduce operational, settlement, and market costs and risks when switching or changing investment options.
“The investment platform gives trustees and, more importantly, their members access to Mercer’s highly-rated investment managers in a cost-efficient, flexible way,” claims Stacy Scapino, European Partner at Mercer.
Around 60 different funds managed by over 20 investment managers will be available through the platform.
“Each fund has been chosen using Mercer’s rigorous manager research process, which involves n-site visits to investment managers, statistical analysis and consultants’ direct experience,” adds Scapino.
The platform administrator is the Skandia Life Assurance Company. Member administration will continue to be provided by a scheme’s chosen third-party administrator.