Clara

Move come as consolidator prepares to conduct first transactions

Superfunds will be a “useful weapon” for defined benefit schemes moving forward, with their need solidified after the economic struggles caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Guy Opperman has said.

A burgeoning superfund market could be on the cards within three years as defined benefit (DB) scheme trustees and sponsors face myriad legislative, economic, and capacity issues, says Lane Clark & Peacock (LCP).

With the launch of an interim regime, the consolidation market is set to take off. But before superfunds begin taking on schemes, the regulator must have 'rigour and understanding' of the market, David Fairs tells James Phillips.

Defined benefit (DB) consolidator Clara is in talks over a £200m fundraising exercise, PP understands.

Interest around DB consolidators is high but there remains regulatory uncertainty around their future. Lesley Carline looks at what the future might hold for this section of the market.

A panel of experts have shared their views on how DB schemes can make good consolidation decisions. Kim Kaveh reports from the PLSA’s annual conference .

Many schemes are actively thinking about defined benefit (DB) consolidation and are waiting in the wings for the superfunds to prove themselves before engaging, Clara says.

The Pension Superfund has signed its second deal, agreeing to take on £300m of defined benefit (DB) liabilities from an unnamed pension scheme.

Three in five trustees have not heard of Clara Pensions, one of two defined benefit (DB) consolidators to have launched since last year's government white paper.