Defined benefit consulting

Empowering DB pension trustees and employers to deliver better member outcomes

Better outcomes for your defined benefit scheme

Today's DB pension trustees and sponsors have unprecedented choice – accessible insurance solutions, innovative endgame strategies, and run-on models designed to maximise member and employer value.

As an award-winning defined benefit consulting firm, we hold particular expertise in helping large schemes approach their DB endgame, and open DB schemes. From developing a winning DB pension strategy to navigating the regulatory landscape, we are here to keep you on the right course.

Our renowned experience in actuarial services, investment, administration, management services and governance demonstrates our position as a trusted adviser to both employers and trustees, while providing technical expertise and innovative DB pension technology for all needs.

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Ready your DB scheme data with DataSure

Our standalone data readiness service for transactions and wind-up, DataSure has been designed specifically for schemes we don’t administer on an ongoing basis.

Whether you’re looking for a light touch review or a deep dive into your data, we can offer a cost-effective package that’s right for you.  

Find out more

The team have a tremendous background and depth of experience and knowledge. I couldn't imagine working with anyone else.

The one thing I really value about working with the team is the ability to look across sectors and industries. They bring a wealth of experience together to help us make decisions, along with the trustee board.

The team that we deal with are extremely good at what they do – they're nice people and very good to deal with.

The team is always very responsive if you've got queries or you want to challenge something. They're always very good at responding quickly and efficiently.

The complex strategy review on inflation and interest rates in particular has delivered significant benefits to our scheme. The team explained the complex investment strategy in a simple manner so we could all understand and make an informed decision.

Our DB pension services

We provide the full range of actuarial services to trustees of defined benefit (DB) pension schemes, ranging from strategic to operational. We specialise in ensuring your specific needs are addressed as the primary focus.

As an expert in the field, we provide all our clients with innovative actuarial consulting services and solutions that are solely focused on meeting their pension scheme goals without being driven by products.

We provide tailored DB pension investment advice to each unique scheme, trustee board and organisation, with strategy and risk at the core.

Our DB pension administration team provides services to over 400 clients including schemes comprising 440,000 members; covering defined contribution, defined benefit, hybrid, Career Average Related Earnings (CARE), open, closed and those transferring to the Pension Protection Fund (PPF).

Our DB pension team has extensive experience in advising both trustees and companies on all aspects of risk transfer, encompassing both traditional and medically underwritten bulk annuity processes.

Our DB pension management services are tailored to you and your specific needs, whether you need strategic advice, operational support, assistance with business as usual activities or project planning and management services for your pension scheme.

Illuminate is our specialist tool designed to guide trustees and sponsors through the financial management of their DB pension scheme. Combining clear, interactive displays with robust risk analysis, Illuminate can help you design an integrated strategy to meet your needs.

We help you approach and complete your DB endgame journey with confidence. We make sure the trustees, employer and other advisors buy into the same cohesive vision, and that the details of the journey – both strategic and practical – are clearly thought through.

We provide both on-site and remote DB pension project management support. Our services are available for both administration and pension teams, and cover outsourced bespoke projects, pension project management and secondments.

DB Run-on is our solution for defined benefit pension schemes, most suitable for schemes from £100m upwards and particularly attractive for those over £300m.

We provide comprehensive end-to-end support to guide your defined benefit pension scheme through the crucial post-buy-in activities and ensure an efficient scheme wind-up. 

Our team can help you with your member communication challenges. From strategy to implementation, we help deliver the best solution to inspire members to make the right choices with their pension and benefits.

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Let's connect

At Howden, we help create pension strategies tailored to your needs and member outcomes.

With experience, market scale and data-led insight at our core, we help ensure our retirement solutions are right for you.

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