Metzler Pension Management, the German bank’s provider of services and financing solutions for company pensions, has signed a partnership agreement with consultancy Aon to fund and manage occupational pension plans.

Aon and Metzler Pension Management will work together to assess obligations, preparing and providing financing solutions, risk management and capital investment and administration of company pension schemes, it was announced yesterday.

The duo will focus on capital market-based solutions to finance pension models or funding existing pension obligations.

The administration of company pension schemes in times of new legal requirements, dynamic interest rate developments and fluctuations in capital markets has become a complex task for service providers, the firms said.

Meanwhile, the balance and interaction of pension obligations and capital investments to finance them is playing an increasingly important role in company pension plans, according to Metzler.

For this reason, Metzler will bring to the partnership its pension funds and other funding vehicles such as Metzler Trust e.V., and investment expertise, whereas Aon will contribute with its knowledge in the field of consulting, actuarial and legal know-how for the administration of pension plans.

Rafael Krönung, chief executive officer of Aon Solutions Germany, said: “The funding of pension promises has been gaining in importance in Germany for a long time. With its funding vehicles, Metzler has demonstrated its strengths and its ability to innovate over many years.”

Aon’s expertise in the field of consulting, assessment and management of pension schemes, will add to Metzler’s know-how to offer comprehensive support for company pension plans, he added.

Christian Remke, managing director of Metzler Pension Management, said: “The projects for the design and implementation of pension solutions and ongoing operations require a wide range of expertise. We see ourselves in an even stronger position to be able to provide customers with comprehensive advice, and support, together with Aon, from a single source.”

He added: “Together we will continue on our course of developing and implementing innovative solution concepts for pensions and their funding.”

The latest digital edition of IPE’s magazine is now available