Deloitte and Penbridge Advisors Announce Enhanced Strategic Alliance

Alliance to provide an expanded array of services to defined benefit plan sponsors

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Jul 29, 2015, 09:00 ET

NEW YORK, July 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Deloitte and Penbridge Advisors have enhanced their strategic alliance to provide corporate sponsors of U.S. defined benefit (DB) pension plans with efficient solutions for plan maintenance or pension risk transfer (PRT).

"Our alliance with Penbridge Advisors is a natural fit for Deloitte," says Jason Flynn, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP and national leader of Deloitte's Human Capital Rewards practice. "Penbridge's independence, impartial analysis and extensive knowledge of DB plans are very compatible with Deloitte's own capabilities and approach. Given that significant ongoing fees are in play for incumbent advisors when a sponsor is reviewing the direction of their plan, the need for an objective, third-party assessment is critical."

According to Steve Keating, co-founder and principal of Penbridge Advisors, "Over the past year we have strengthened our alliance relationship with Deloitte Consulting. We are excited to announce today an expanded array of defined benefit plan services."

The Penbridge and Deloitte alliance will focus on helping DB plan sponsors make balanced, well-informed decisions, whether it involves plan maintenance or pension risk transfer. The enhanced alliance coordinates advisory responsibilities as follows:

Penbridge Advisors' services are designed to provide DB plan sponsors with efficient solutions for plan maintenance or pension risk transfer. Its services include DB expense analysis and benchmarking, vendor searches, customized PRT assessments, buy-out price monitoring, executive education, comprehensive implementation support, as well as a capital efficient buy-out solution.

Deloitte works closely with DB plan sponsors in every phase of plan maintenance or pension risk transfer, providing comprehensive advisory and implementation services. Deloitte is a leader in DB actuarial services, has significant knowledge of DB plan operations, and regularly performs vendor searches across many of the DB service provider categories. Its PRT services include preparation and execution of lump sum programs and annuity buy-outs, including financial and tax education services and annuity placement services.

Robert Goldbloom, co-founder and principal of Penbridge Advisors added, "We are excited to take this next step with Deloitte in our alliance relationship. The combination of Penbridge's specialized information and advisory services with Deloitte's comprehensive advisory and implementation capabilities is a compelling offering for plan sponsors of all sizes."

Pil Chung, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP and national leader of Deloitte's Actuarial, Rewards, and Analytics practice adds, "We believe strongly that engaging an impartial advisor to evaluate plan maintenance efficiency and pension risk transfer options is a governance imperative."

About Deloitte Consulting LLP
Deloitte Consulting LLP helps organizations grow their businesses and enhance value by identifying actionable insights. More than 23,000 professionals provide a broad range of capabilities across human capital, strategy and operations, innovation and technology that are aligned to the particular needs of specific sectors, businesses and organizations. Deloitte provides clients with leading business insights that can help generate a tangible and measurable impact.

About Penbridge Advisors
Penbridge Advisors focuses exclusively on helping defined benefit plan sponsors to make balanced, well-informed decisions to obtain the most efficient solutions for plan maintenance or pension risk transfer. Penbridge maintains the only industry database focused on the US PRT market, currently used by more than 350 plan sponsors and advisory firms. Penbridge recently launched the first industrywide DB expense survey, allowing Penbridge to provide benchmarking and vendor search services to plan sponsors. Access to the PRT database and participation in the Penbridge Defined Benefit Expense Survey are available to plan sponsors free of charge.

To participate in the Penbridge Defined Benefit Expense Survey, click here.

To access the Penbridge PRT Database, click here.

As used in this document, "Deloitte" means Deloitte Consulting LLP, a subsidiary of Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.

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SOURCE Deloitte