04 Jan 2024 1 min read

Is global instability fuelling DC pension member thirst for illiquids?

By Jesal Mistry

They might be unfamiliar with the term 'illiquids', but our recent research[1] suggests that most DC pension members want them. So, what lies behind this enthusiasm, especially when it comes to investing in infrastructure that supports sustainable supplies of food and energy, affordable housing and local job creation? And how does this feed into the great debate on illiquids in DC?

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Back in July, nine leading UK pension providers, including Legal & General, signed up to the UK Government’s Mansion House Compact, committing themselves to allocating 5% of assets in their default pension funds to unlisted equities (illiquids[2]) by 2030[3].

The compact marked a rise in the temperature of the debate on illiquids in DC that has been simmering away in the UK and Europe for a few years now.

The argument in favour of illiquids is that these type of investments could unlock more money for DC pension funds while investing in the country’s overall economic growth. However, there is also a general acceptance that there will need to be additional safeguards introduced to minimise risks and seek to achieve best value for savers.

Yet even as the pensions industry and its regulators hammer out the details of introducing and/or increasing investments in private markets into DC funds, LGIM’s latest look at our DC pension members’ views on environment, social and governance (ESG) issues[4] found that from their perspective, these type of investments appear to be rather popular already. Whether or not DC savers have even heard of illiquids.

Click here to read the full article on illiquids in DC

 

[1] Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) survey in June 2023 of the views of 4,678 defined contribution workplace pension savers on environment, social and governance investing. Respondents were split across generations and genders and across the UK and Ireland. This article refers to UK data only.

[2] Broadly speaking, illiquids are assets that can’t quickly and easily be sold or exchanged for cash.

[3] UK Government news story, 10 July 2023: www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellors-mansion-house-reforms-to-boost-typical-pension-by-over-1000-a-year.

[4] Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) survey in June 2023 of the views of 4,678 defined contribution workplace pension savers on environment, social and governance investing. Respondents were split across generations and genders and across the UK and Ireland. This article refers to UK data only.

 

Key risks

Past performance is not a guide to future performance. For professional investors only. The value of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up and you may not get back the amount invested. The details contained here are for information purposes only and do not constitute investment advice or a recommendation or offer to buy or sell any security.  The information above is provided on a general basis and does not take into account any individual investor’s circumstances.  Any views expressed are those of LGIM as at the date of publication. Not for distribution to any person resident in any jurisdiction where such distribution would be contrary to local law or regulation. 

This financial promotion is issued by Legal & General Investment Management Ltd. Registered in England and Wales No. 02091894. Registered office: One Coleman Street, London EC2R 5AA. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Jesal Mistry

Head of DC Investments, Governance and Proposition

Jesal is Head of DC Investments, Governance and Proposition within L&G's DC team, working with advisers and their clients to help them access the best of L&G, i.e. a DC arrangement which delivers to an employer's and individual's needs, not just now, but always. Jesal joined L&G in June 2019, having spent 14 years as a DC consultant, specialising in DC scheme design, review and comparison of DC arrangements and DC investment strategy.

Jesal Mistry