DB master trust
XPS Pensions Group has entered a strategic alliance with leading global asset manager abrdn plc to launch a DB master trust, called the “abrdn pensions master trust”. It is an exciting innovation in the pensions industry.
The abrdn pensions master trust is believed to be the first DB master trust to be developed and launched by an independent pensions consultancy and a leading global asset manager in collaboration.
XPS provides the actuarial and investment consulting, administration, secretarial and covenant services for the DB master trust, with abrdn providing the investment management services. A sole corporate trustee provides the master trust with professional governance in a cost-efficient way.
The abrdn pensions master trust helps small and medium-sized schemes set their pensions strategy and then deliver this within an efficient operational model. This is expected to provide cost savings, governance improvements and an opportunity to increase member benefit security through a one-stop-shop solution, encompassing all services required to run DB pension schemes. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations are also embedded into investment decisions alongside an integrated risk management approach. Crucially, this allows corporate sponsors to free up more time to focus on their underlying business.
