Global consulting
Where companies have worldwide operations, there is an increasing need for a global benefits strategy to streamline benefits, cost and to provide best practice healthcare, employee benefits and retirement solutions.
Our global consultancy team provides benefit strategy and review services helping multinational companies ensure they are not only compliant within various jurisdictions but also providing their worldwide employee benefits in the most efficient manner.
 

 Overview

 
International solutions include:
  • Multinational Risk Pooling
  • Asset Pooling
  • Pan European Pensions (IORPs)
  • International Retirement Plans
  • International medical & employee benefits
  • Employee Benefit Captives
  • Healthcare and wellbeing
Our approach

We work with employers to:
  • understand their global employee benefits provision
  • ensure employee benefit compliance within various jurisdictions
  • design and implement cost efficient cross border solutions
  • draft clear, comprehensive investment policy statements
  • develop and maintain an in-depth and well-defined governance framework
  • provide relevant information to employees and plan members
We start by reviewing the international employee landscape, assessing the specific needs of our client and reviewing their existing benefit arrangements globally. We then provide strategic advice on the most appropriate global strategy going forward. This includes work on benefit design and implementation advice in order to help improve efficiencies, costs, employee understanding, initial and ongoing governance and education and training.
 

 Insights and views

 
    Global Benefit Insights - September 2012
    20 September 2012
    Welcome to our first newsletter for multinational companies and not for profit
    organisations. Giving insights into topical employment benefit issues, it is aimed
    at Finance and HR and those who manage employee benefits internationally.
     
    View the newsletter

    Read more
    High Earners & Contributors: Survival Guide
    10 September 2012
    Update: September 2012
     
    We are now producing additional survival guides on some of the more technical aspects of the new taxation regime. If you would like to see any of these notes, please contact Sarah Tolson for a copy.

    14: Multiple Normal Pension Ages and the annual allowance
    13: Scheme pays in the year of retirement
    12: How deferred members may be caught by the annual allowance charge
    11: Using pension benefits to pay the annual allowance charge: scheme pays in practice
    10: HMRC provides further detail on fixed protection
    9: HMRC revises its interpretation of the carry-forward rules
     
    Further notes will cover topics such as on the ‘carve-out’ from the annual allowance for deferred members, the valuation of benefits for the purpose of the annual allowance and the new ‘scheme pays’ provisions.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    In the 2009 Budget, the Government announced fundamental changes to the way that pensions will be taxed from 2011 for high earners and introduced immediate measures designed to prevent individuals increasing their pension savings in anticipation of these changes.

    These changes will affect not just high earning individuals but also companies, trustees and pensions managers. At the Punter Southall Group, we can draw on a range of expertise to enable us to provide advice to all of these parties. We can ensure that:
    • companies have the right remuneration strategy in place for their key staff;
    • individuals make the right decisions on their pension based on their circumstances; and
    • trustees can implement the new information and administration requirements effectively.
    We are now launching our “High Earners & Contributors: Survival Guide”. Through a series of straightforward and focused briefing notes, we will help you to develop an understanding of the changes ahead and keep you up to date with developments as they occur.
     
    Note 6: What do the annual allowance changes mean for pension schemes?
     
    Note 5: More detail on the tax changes emerges
     
    Note 4: Annual allowance approach confirmed  
     
    Note 3: HM Treasury consults on alternative approach  
     
    Note 2: Annual allowance: an alternative universe 
     
    Note 1: High earners: five key tax changes – will you be ready?
     

     

    Read more
    DC Pensions Bulletin - February 2012
    20 February 2012
    In this issue
     
    • Clearing of the in-trays
    • Clearing of the in-trays: speed read
    • QROPS
    • Other recent developments
    • Publications round-up
    • Dates for your diary
     
    Download a copy


    Read more
    Will the ‘holistic balance sheet’ prove to be Solvency II by the back door?
    23 November 2011
    On 25 October 2011, the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) published a consultation paper on its draft advice to the European Commission (EC) to help the EC’s review of the Institutions for Occupational Retirement Provision (IORP) directive. This review could have very significant implications for the funding of UK defined benefit (DB) pension schemes if it results in a funding regime similar to the Solvency II directive regime for insurers.

    View the briefing note


    Read more
    Pensions bulletin - October 2011
    13 October 2011
    In this issue
     
    • Back to work for the Pensions Minister
    • Back to work: speed read
    • Behind the scenes
    • Other recent developments
    • Publications round-up
    • Dates for your diary
     
    Download a copy


    Read more
    Pensions bulletin - July 2011
    1 July 2011
    In this issue:
     
    • Policy focus: one year on from the Coalition’s first Budget
    •  Policy focus: speed read
    •  Behind the scenes
    •  Other recent developments
    •  Publications round-up
    •  Dates for your diary
     
    Download a copy 
     
    Read more
    EC calls for advice on review of IORP directive
    27 May 2011
    In April 2011, the European Commission (EC) issued a Call for Advice from the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) to prepare for the Commission’s planned review of the Institutions for Occupational Retirement Provision (IORP) directive.
     
    View the briefing note


    Read more
    Test-Achats: are the days now numbered for sex-specific actuarial factors?
    1 April 2011
    On 1 March 2011, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) passed judgment on the Test-Achats case. This case was widely reported in the press for its impact on insurance premiums which will need to be equal for men and women from 21 December 2012. Although it concerned insurance contracts, the case could also potentially affect UK occupational pension schemes.
     
    View the briefing note

     

    Read more
    Visit the Industry Insights page for news and views on the latest industry developments
 

 Events

 
    Global Benefits, Putting the Pieces Together: Global Pensions and Benefits Conference
    2 July 2013
    Read more
    Global Benefits, Putting the Pieces Together: Global Mobility
    24 September 2013
    Read more
    2013 Pensions Conference
    10 October 2013
    A Conference for Trustees, Finance Directors and Pension Managers
    Read more
    Visit the Events area for all forthcoming Punter Southall seminars, conferences and events
    Speak to us
    Speak direct to our specialists in this area
    Steve Chapman
    Global Practice Leader, Asinta
    Email Steve
    Or call us on
    020 3327 5000