First-of-its-kind platform to provide enhanced price transparency and liquidity to group and annuity market
The Mercer Pension Risk Exchange™ provides buyout price transparency and delivers deal readiness by streamlining the process. The Exchange offers a significant market advantage to sponsors considering a buyout.
THE BUYOUT MARKET
Despite a persistently low interest rate environment, Mercer has seen a sharp uptick in buyout activity in 2014 and 2015. The number and dollar volume of deals of all sizes is increasing, not just the headline grabbing jumbo buyouts. Many plan sponsors continue to wait for interest rates to rise before considering a pension buyout. The challenge for these sponsors will be knowing when to act, and being able to move fast when attractive annuity pricing is available. When considering a buyout, recognizing what represents value and determining the cash required is extremely challenging.
GAINING PRICE TRANSPARENCY
In-depth knowledge of buyout pricing and continuous monitoring of buyout prices for your specific plan is important. Sponsors that have an accurate and up-to-date understanding of the cost of a buyout will be empowered to make better decisions on execution timing. Being prepared to execute a buyout deal before optimal market conditions present themselves will help ensure the sponsor has the most options available to secure participant benefits.
Africa
