Pension Insurance Corporation PLC Pension Insurance Corporation Group 2021 Results (4969E)

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RNS Number : 4969E

Pension Insurance Corporation PLC

11 March 2022

PENSION INSURANCE CORPORATION GROUP

2021 RESULTS

London, 11 March 2022 - Pension Insurance Corporation Group Limited(1) ("PICG" or the "Company"), ultimate parent company of Pension Insurance Corporation plc ("PIC"), the specialist insurer of defined benefit pension schemes, today announces its final results for the 12 months to 31 December 2021.

A presentation for bondholders and other stakeholders on the 2021 final results will be available from 10.00am GMT, on 11 March 2022, at the following link: PICG 2021 Bondholder Presentation.

PICG 2021 highlights:

   -     PIC Solvency II ratio of 168% (FY2020: 157%) 
   -     Adjusted Operating Profit of GBP533 million (FY2020: GBP349 million) 
   -     Portfolio of financial investments of GBP51.1 billion (FY2020: GBP49.6 billion) 

- 14 new business transactions with total premiums of GBP4.7 billion (FY2020: GBP5.6 billion across seven transactions), for clients including the Metal Box Pension Scheme (largest of the year), and repeat transactions for the IMI and British American Tobacco Pension Schemes , and the Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund (MNOPF)

- Environmental, Social and Governance investments of GBP10.9 billion in total (FY2020: GBP10.1 billion)

   -     85% of longevity exposure reinsured in aggregate 
   -     282,900 pension scheme members insured in total (2020: 271,500) 
   -     In May 2021, PIC was re-affirmed an Insurer Financial Strength credit rating of A+ by Fitch 

- Ukraine: PIC has been carefully managing the portfolio over recent years with increased investment into more secure assets. During 2021 we continued this strategy, focussing on consolidating our investments into assets that protect against market volatility. We therefore have extremely limited direct exposure to the region, with a legacy asset of circa GBP3m held in shareholder funds. We are confident in the resilience of our portfolio and the situation remains under careful review.

2021 business highlights:

- GBP2.3 billion invested in privately sourced debt in areas such as social housing, renewable energy and not-for-profits (2020: GBP1.8 billion)

- 99.6% of policyholders surveyed have indicated that they are satisfied or better with our customer service (FY2020: 98.7%)

   -     90% of employees express pride in working for PIC 
   -     PIC's gender pay gap was 18.4% (2020: 25.3%) 

- PIC was re-awarded "ServiceMark with Distinction" by the Institute of Customer Service; was named "Pensions Insurance Firm of the Year" at the European Pensions Awards; and "Risk Reduction Provider of the Year" at the UK Pension Awards

Tracy Blackwell, Chief Executive Officer of PIC, said: "The results that we have published today demonstrate a resilient, profitable business with a considerable and rapidly increasing presence across the economy. We have a robust balance sheet and strong Adjusted Operating Profit, our preferred assessment of the long-term nature of the business.

"By focussing on fulfilling our purpose of paying the pensions of our current and future policyholders, PIC creates considerable long-term value for society and all our stakeholders. In our 15(th) anniversary year, the business has now paid GBP8 billion in pensions and has GBP10 billion invested across the country in sectors as diverse as social housing, renewable energy, education and in projects that help regenerate our cities. Recent investments are helping dynamic local authorities alleviate homelessness and we were also delighted to be the cornerstone investor in the UK's largest urban regeneration project, taking our investment in urban regeneration to GBP500 million over 18 months.

"As an active participant in the debate on Solvency II we believe that judicious reform could help to usher in a golden age of investment in the UK's social fabric, as we back the pensions of older generations with investment in the vital infrastructure needed by younger and future generations.

"I am pleased that we have presented a strong set of results, which lay the foundations for success in 2022 and over the coming years."

- ends -

Notes to Editors:

1) The Pension Insurance Corporation Group (the "Group") includes PICG, the group holding company; PIC, the group regulated insurer; and Pension Services Corporation Ltd, the group service company.

For further information please contact:

PIC Jeremy Apfel [phone]

[e-mail]

Apella Advisors Andrew Brown [phone]

[e-mail]

About PIC

The purpose of PIC is to pay the pensions of its current and future policyholders. PIC provides secure and stable retirement incomes through leading customer service, comprehensive risk management and excellence in asset and liability management. At 31 December 2021, PIC had insured 282,900 pension scheme members and had GBP51.1 billion in financial investments, accumulated through the provision of tailored pension insurance buyouts and buy-ins to the trustees and sponsors of U.K. defined benefit pension schemes. Clients include FTSE 100 companies, multinationals and the public sector. PIC is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority (FRN 454345). For further information please visit www.pensioncorporation.com

No Offer or Invitation and Selling Restrictions

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This announcement is not intended for release, publication or distribution to a person located or resident in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful to release, distribute or publish this document. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, except pursuant to an available exemption from registration.

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March 11, 2022 04:00 ET (09:00 GMT)