Most Plan Sponsors Not Expecting Delays in Future Pension Buy Out Activity Due to COVID-19, MetLife Poll Finds
November 09 2020 - 10:33AM
Business Wire
Just 19% of plan sponsors interested in an annuity buyout with a
specific timeframe in mind reported that the pandemic has decreased
or delayed the likelihood of transacting, according to MetLife’s
2020 Pension Risk Transfer Poll, released today. A vast majority
(81%) said there had either been no change in plans due to COVID-19
(27%), or that the pandemic has actually increased or accelerated
the likelihood they would transact (55%).
“Despite a slowdown at the beginning of 2020 due to COVID-19, we
have seen the pension risk transfer (PRT) pipeline build momentum
in the third and fourth quarters,” said Melissa Moore, senior vice
president and head of U.S. Pensions at MetLife. “This is consistent
with the Poll findings, which show plan sponsors do not expect
buyout activity to be delayed by either the pandemic or a
protracted economic recovery.”
In fact, the Poll found that the primary catalysts driving
interest in PRT transactions include market volatility (51%) and
mortality changes due to COVID (36%). The Poll also found that plan
sponsors are looking to transact sooner rather than later—among
defined benefit (DB) plan sponsors interested in a buyout, the
majority (81%) say they would transact within five years, including
24% who said they would secure a buyout within two years.
Impact of COVID-19 on plan management
While buyout activity is resuming, the pandemic has had an
impact on how plan sponsors manage their DB plans. Forty percent of
plan sponsors report they have borrowed money to fund pension
deficits, and 35% restricted benefit payment options (e.g., lump
sums) because of the impact on funded status. About one in five
(22%) decreased or called back planned contributions, 15% triggered
a partial plan termination due to layoffs, and 6% have frozen or
closed their plans.
“The Poll also shows that in the current environment plan
sponsors appear to be most concerned about maintaining and funding
their DB plans to meet their required benefit obligations,” said
Moore. “The volatile market environment is also a concern—plan
sponsors said they were focused on the performance of their plan
investments, including minimizing asset volatility and the impact
of the low interest rate environment.”
Public policy relief
In addition to looking at how they manage their plans, DB plan
sponsors have also taken advantage of the relief measures available
through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES)
Act. Nearly nine in ten plan sponsors (89%) say they have taken, or
will take, advantage of the CARES Act provision that extends the
deadline to make DB plan contributions until January 1, 2021; only
10% say that is not part of their plans and 2% are unsure.
About the Poll
The MetLife 2020 Pension Risk Transfer Poll was fielded between
August 6, 2020 and August 27, 2020. MetLife commissioned MMR
Research Associates, Inc.1 to conduct the online survey. Survey
responses were received from 200 defined benefit (DB) plan sponsors
with $100 million or more in plan assets who have de-risking goals.
This included 55% of plan sponsors who reported DB plan assets of
$500 million or more. To read the full MetLife 2020 Pension Risk
Transfer Poll report, visit www.metlife.com/prtpoll2020.
About MetLife
MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and
affiliates (“MetLife”), is one of the world’s leading financial
services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee
benefits and asset management to help its individual and
institutional customers navigate their changing world. Founded in
1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 markets globally and
holds leading positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America,
Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit
www.metlife.com.
_____________________________ 1 MMR Research Associates, Inc. is
not affiliated with MetLife.
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Judi Mahaney jmahaney@metlife.com 212-578-7977
MetLife (NYSE:MET)
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