PPF consults on plans for next three years’ levy


Introduction

On 29 May 2014, the PPF published a consultation on the second “PPF Levy Triennium”.

The new triennium will run from 2015 and will cover the levy years 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18.  As for the first triennium, the PPF plans to establish a framework for the three year period.

In this Alert:


Key points

  • The PPF is proposing a move to a new, PPF specific, model for measuring employer insolvency risk for the levy years 2015/16 onwards.
  • The new approach will lead to a redistribution of the levy so schemes should be prepared for a change in their invoice.
  • The PPF is proposing changes in relation to contingent assets and asset backed contributions (“ABCs”).  The changes are designed to ensure that the levy reduction given is commensurate to the reduction in risk which the contingent asset or ABC provides.

Measurement of insolvency risk

The PPF specific model for measuring insolvency risk is based solely on information about sponsors of DB pension schemes and, as such, is focused on those variables that are most predictive for this particular group of entities.

From the 2015/16 levy year onwards, an employer’s insolvency risk will be assessed, by Experian, using one of eight scorecards:

  • Independents: Small Accounts
  • Independents: Full Accounts
  • Group Members: Full Accounts, less than £10 million turnover
  • Group Members: Full Accounts, £10 million to £50 million turnover
  • Group Members: Full Accounts, £50 million to £500 million turnover
  • Group Members: Small Accounts
  • Group Members: Consolidated Accounts / Large Company
  • Not for profit

To help maximise predictability these new scorecards have far fewer components and are very largely driven by financial data (see the Annex to the Consultation for details).  Where an employer is part of a group, a key feature is the inclusion of a component based on the strength of the wider group (assessed by reference to the consolidated accounts of the ultimate parent company).

The new model is intended to lead to improvements in transparency.  D&B’s Failure Score could not be shared with levy payers but, in the future, the PPF’s levy rules will explain the basis on which scores are calculated.

With the aim of increasing accuracy, the PPF is considering the introduction of an override for entities with a credit rating (based on ratings provided by any of the market leading Credit Rating Agencies). The PPF specific score would be replaced by a score calculated by using the default insolvency probability implied by the rating.


Data collection

An employer’s insolvency score will be generated using financial information from a range of sources, such as Companies House (or an overseas equivalent), the Charity Commission and information provided through TPR’s Exchange.  Any employers which do not file their accounts with Companies House or the Charity Commission are encouraged to supply them to Experian voluntarily.  In the absence of this Experian may not be able to source the relevant data to provide a PPF specific score.

In addition, ultimate parent companies are encouraged to provide Experian with a set of audited accounts so that it can assess the “parent strength score”.

To enable levy payers to understand how the monthly scores are calculated and to check that data is correct, scores for the 2015/16 levy will only be collected from 31 October 2014.


Transitional protection?

The PPF considers that the new approach will lead to a significant redistribution of the levy.  This is mainly because many employers will see their relative ranking change under the new approach.

In the light of the level of redistribution in levies, the PPF is considering providing some form of transitional protection to reduce the scale of the changes for those most affected.  However, this will only be implemented if responses to the consultation indicate broad support.


Customer service

Trustees, and other scheme representatives authorised by the trustees, will have online access to their scores and the data on which they are based.  They will be able to set up an email alert to indicate when a score changes and to download “what if” reports.  These will allow them to see how their score would be affected if certain variables change, for example the impact of a sponsor’s forthcoming accounts can be taken into account.

The portal will be live shortly and trustees will be contacted by Experian with instructions on how to access it.  A dedicated Customer Support team will be available to deal with queries.


Other changes

Type A contingent assets

The PPF is still not satisfied that all Type A contingent assets provide a reduction in risk which justifies the corresponding reduction in the PPF levy.  It has considered ceasing to recognise type A contingent assets but wishes to be able to recognise guarantees where there is a viable commitment from the guarantor.  It therefore proposes:

  • Requiring trustees to certify a fixed amount which the guarantor could pay if called upon, and revising the wording of the trustee certification accordingly
  • Adjusting guarantor scores to reflect the value of the guarantee they are potentially liable for.

ABCs

Currently, ABCs are taken into account in the levy calculation as they form part of the assets reported in the scheme’s section 179 valuation.  In addition, payments made to set up an ABC are often certified as deficit reduction contributions.  To ensure appropriate credit is given for these structures, the PPF intends to change the manner in which they are recognised.  Under its proposals, recognition for contributions or cashflows relating to an ABC will be given only if the ABC is certified.

It will only be possible to certify an ABC in respect of the same underlying assets as for Type B contingent assets, namely cash, UK property or securities.  As, in practice, cash or third party securities will not generally be attractive underlying assets for an ABC structure, the PPF has drafted its proposals on the basis that only UK property-based ABCs will be recognised in the levy.

Last man standing schemes

Last man standing schemes (“LMSs”) are multi-employer arrangements which do not have an option or requirement to segregate assets on the cessation of a participating employer.  Claims do not arise for the PPF on such schemes until the last employer becomes insolvent and so there is a reduction in the levy for LMSs.

As the PPF is aware of “significant” misreporting of scheme structure, it is considering whether to require confirmation that legal advice has been taken on the scheme structure claimed.  In addition, it proposes revising the discount applied to LMSs so that it reflects the extent to which the arrangement is genuinely spreading the risk.

Contingent asset agreements

The PPF is currently reviewing the standard form contingent asset agreements.  Final versions will be available in December 2014.  Any parties wishing to put in place a new contingent asset between now and December 2014 should use the existing versions.


Key dates

Item

Key dates

Monthly Experian scores Between 31 October 2014 and 31 March 2015

(NB: deadlines for submission to ensure data is used in the score will be 1 month before the actual month end scoring dates)

Submit scheme returns on Exchange By 5pm on 31 March 2015
Reference period over which funding is smoothed 5 year period to 31 March 2015
Certification of contingent assets By 5pm on 31 March 2015
Certification of deficit-reduction contributions By 5pm on 30 April 2015
Certification of full block transfers By 5pm on 30 June 2015
Invoicing starts Autumn 2015

 


Next steps

The consultation, to which we will be responding, closes on 9 July 2014.

The PPF will use scores from 31 October 2014 in the levy calculations for 2015/16.  Trustees and employers therefore have until then to access the online portal, verify the information being used and assess whether action can be taken to improve scores.  We would advise taking action sooner rather than later to ensure any changes are effective before October.

Schemes with Type A contingent assets or ABCs and schemes that are reporting as LMSs should monitor developments.  They may also wish to assess the implications of the proposals and whether they can take steps that will assist in managing the impact of the changes.

If you have any questions, please speak to your usual contact at Sackers.