LCP and NHF launch pension helpline for smaller housing associations as pension landscape brings new opportunities and challenges

LCP and the National Housing Federation (NHF) have launched a free helpline for smaller housing associations who are NHF members and have fewer than 2,000 homes.

LCP is the NHF’s pensions adviser.

The helpline has been launched to help smaller housing associations with general, ad-hoc pension queries as the pensions landscape continues to evolve. The pensions landscape is changing rapidly with issues such as the Pension Schemes Bill, new defined benefit funding code, improved funding positions, defined contributions developments and the rise of Collective Defined Contribution schemes. These bring new opportunities for housing associations to better manage risks or improve benefit provision, whilst having to balance these opportunities against wider financial pressures.

The helpline can cover issues including:

• Queries on pension scheme structures.
• Updates on the regulatory frameworks.
• An overview of the governance and compliance requirements.
• Sector specific pension provision.
• General pension risks for employers.
• Key considerations for multi-employer pension schemes relevant to the sector, such as the Social Housing Pension Scheme (SHPS) and Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

This supports the NHF’s wider offer to smaller housing association members.

Martin Robinson, senior consultant in LCP’s social housing advisory team, said: “Many smaller associations have limited time and resource to commit to pensions. This helpline offers an efficient way to help and ensure these NHF members do not miss out. We are really excited by the opportunity to support more housing associations and continue to drive better outcomes across the sector. We recognise smaller housing associations need support, and our unique partnership with the NHF allows us to provide this in an efficient way.

Bethan Buck, External Affairs Manager at the NHF added: “It is great that LCP are joining our offer for smaller housing association members. LCP’s knowledge of pensions issues and wide-ranging experience across the sector means they can help smaller associations focus on what matters to them and make the best use of often limited resources to run their pension arrangements effectively.”