What is a Stand-Alone Pension Plan
A Stand-Alone Pension Plan is created specifically for a company or organization who wish to maintain control and ownership of their own formal Pension Plan. The governance documents and structure of the Plan are tailored to enhance the operational efficiencies of the Plan Sponsor and to comply with all regulatory requirements within the jurisdiction.
A Stand-Alone Pension Plan is established as a Trust, with its own Board of Trustees appointed to maintain the Plan and who remain the authorized signatories of the Plan and its associated accounts.
Types of Stand-Alone Pension Plans:
Defined Benefit (DB)
Pension Plan
A type of pension plan in which the employer promises to pay a specified monthly benefit on retirement, which is predetermined based on a pension formula.
Defined Contribution (DC) Pension Plan
A type of pension plan in which the employer and/or member has set aside a certain amount or percentage of salary to be invested each year, for the benefit of the member.
Hybrid
Pension Plan
A type of pension plan which contains elements of both a Defined Benefit and a Defined Contribution pension plan.
Establishing a Stand-Alone Pension Plan
PMI works closely with the Plan Sponsor to develop and establish a formal Pension Plan, including customized governance documents (Trust Deed, Plan Rules, Investment Policy Statement, and Employee Handbooks) which complements the operations of the Plan Sponsor and meet all regulatory requirements within the jurisdiction.
The customization of the governance documents allows for the Plan Sponsor to select specific aspects of the Plan, such as contribution rate, coverage terms, and vesting schedule. The aim is to ensure that the established Plan complements the entity’s operational efficiencies.
Pre-existing Pension Plans
For Clients with a pre-existing pension plan, PMI offers consultancy services regarding reviewing, amending, updating, and revising the Plan’s governance framework. With regards to Defined Benefits pension plans, PMI can also assist with reconciling, liaising with actuaries, and revising the Plan to ensure economic viability, and if desired, converting the Plan to a Hybrid with both Defined Benefits and Defined Contribution characteristics.
Ongoing Management and Administration
PMI also provides ongoing management and administration services for Pension Plans, including supervising all aspects of the Plan and ensuring the execution and compliance of day-to-day activities with the Plan’s governance documents.
On a quarterly basis or as requested, the Plan Sponsor will receive Reports, reconciling the Plan activities over specified periods or real-time updates.
Members are provided with online access to view their account information and access statements.
PMI firmly believes that continuous, clear, and concise communication is critical.
Multi-Jurisdictional Stand-Alone Pension Plan – (One Entity – Multiple Subsidiaries)
For companies or organizations that operate in several jurisdictions but under one parent entity, PMI offers a unique pension solution which offers a fully tailored pension framework while still addressing regulatory requirements in each jurisdiction in which the entity operates.
