The Siemens Benefits Scheme has completed a £530m (€578m) buy-in transaction with Legal & General, securing the benefits of more than 2,000 UK retirees.
The deal is the pension fund’s second such pension risk transfer transaction, but the first with Legal & General.
The insurer, which announced the deal today, said the pension scheme had chosen an umbrella contract to allow for potential future transactions to be completed quickly and easily, when the time and market conditions are right.
It also said the trustees ran an agile and flexible process, which allowed them to take advantage of favourable pricing opportunities in the market, and to move quickly to meet their objectives.
Joanna Matthews, chair of the trustees, said: “Through careful planning, we were able to overcome the logistical and investment challenges posed by COVID-19 and complete this transaction at this time on very favourable terms. This is a fantastic outcome and I would like to thank all involved in the process.”
The trustees were advised on the transaction by Aon and Sackers. Legal advice was provided to Legal & General by Eversheds.
Karen Gainsford, principal consultant at Aon, said the scheme’s “nimble governance” was key to the firm having been able to secure attractive terms “so efficiently”.
“It’s a great example of what will be needed throughout the remainder of 2020, as schemes seek to secure benefits in what is set to become a busy market once again,” she said.
Legal & General has been working with the Siemens Benefits scheme for many years, and Legal & General Investment Management Limited helped to set up the liability-driven investment portfolio in 2008.
Siemens’ deal is the latest in a series of bulk annuity transactions to be announced recently. Rothesay Life last week announced it had closed a £930m buy-in with Littlewoods Pensions Scheme last month, and a day later Legal & General Assurance Society disclosed a £70m buy-in with ICI Pension Fund.
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