Sustainability issues are a key consideration for pension schemes selecting a bulk annuity provider, research from the Society of Pension Professionals (SPP) has suggested, as 88 per cent of those polled agreed that the Sustainability Principles Charter is likely to be a factor.

The survey found that more than half (55 per cent) of pension professionals were aware of the Sustainability Principles Charter, which launched last year, while 45 per cent were not aware.

In addition to this, the poll asked respondents to what extent the Sustainability Principles Charter is likely to be a factor in selecting a bulk annuity provider for the schemes that attendees advise.

A third (33 per cent) of respondents said, “Yes, for most of the schemes I advise” whilst 55 per cent said, “it will be a factor for some of the schemes I advise, but not the majority”.

However, the remaining 12 per cent chose the option, “I do not expect this to be a factor for many/any schemes I advise”

SPP event chair and Accounting for Sustainability executive director, capital markets, Kerry King, said: “I was pleased to see that a majority of pension professionals are aware of the Sustainability Principles Charter.

"It was also really encouraging that 88 per cent of those who responded to the polling agreed that it would be a factor in their selection of a bulk annuity provider. This is very strong evidence of the increasing importance of sustainability in the decision-making process here.”

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