This project could have significant implications for self-employed individuals and contractors who rely on multiple umbrella companies for their retirement savings
The Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) is working with an artificial intelligence (AI) specialist company to develop coding to perform quality assurance (QA) checks on pension administrators’ calculations. In other words, CAD is looking to develop a machine-learning watchdog for your pension. This project could have significant implications for self-employed individuals and contractors who rely on multiple umbrella companies for their retirement savings.
GAD is undertaking the following as part of the project:
- undertaking a research survey and interviews for the Financial Reporting Council on the use of AI and machine learning in UK actuarial work
- creating interactive dashboards to help inform strategic and investment decisions and to help with analysis and technology
- devising a modeller to support clients as they work towards equalising pensions for their members
- developing a ‘Retirement Calculator’ to help public service pension scheme members following the McCloud legal ruling
The problem: multiple pots, missed steps
Freelancers and contractors often juggle gigs with different umbrella companies, each managing a portion of their pension contributions. This fragmented system can lead to errors, missed contributions, or even lost funds. Traditional quality assurance checks are time-consuming and expensive, leaving many smaller accounts vulnerable.
AI sleuth for your pension?
The GAD’s project aims to train a large language model to act as a pension guardian angel. This AI will be able to:
- Read and understand complex pension regulations: No more legalese headaches for you! The AI will sift through the rules and regulations, ensuring your contributions are handled correctly.
- Analyse your pension data: The AI can compare your contributions across different umbrella companies, identifying any discrepancies or missing payments.
- Flag potential errors: If the AI detects anything fishy, it will alert you and the relevant authorities, potentially saving you from financial losses down the line.
Freelancer freedom, AI-powered security
For self-employed individuals, this technology if adopted for the self-employed and contractors:
- Peace of mind: Knowing your hard-earned pension contributions are being monitored by an AI watchdog can provide significant peace of mind.
- Reduced administrative burden: No more chasing down different companies for updates or worrying about missed payments. The AI can handle the heavy lifting.
- Increased transparency: The AI’s ability to analyse data across multiple providers could offer a more holistic view of your overall retirement savings.
The Road Ahead:
While the project is still in its early stages, it holds significant promise for the future of pension security for self-employed individuals. As the technology develops, we can expect:
- Wider adoption: More pension providers and umbrella companies partnering with AI solutions.
- Increased sophistication: AI models becoming even better at understanding complex pension regulations and identifying potential issues.
- Personalised insights: AI-powered tools offering tailored advice and recommendations based on your individual circumstances.
While AI integration brings potential benefits, it’s crucial to remember:
- Transparency and accountability: The development and use of AI in pensions must be transparent and accountable, with clear guidelines and safeguards in place.
- Human oversight: AI should complement human expertise, not replace it. Experienced actuaries and financial professionals will still play a vital role in ensuring the accuracy and fairness of pension calculations.
The future of pensions is being shaped by technology, and for self-employed individuals, AI-powered solutions could offer a valuable layer of security and peace of mind. As this technology evolves, it’s important to stay informed and engaged to ensure it works for the benefit of all.
Which pension administration calculations could be carried out with AI?
Pension administrator calculations in the UK involve determining the amount of money individuals will receive upon retirement or in other situations through various pension schemes. These calculations can be complex and require a solid understanding of pension rules, regulations, and tax implications.
Due to the intricate nature of these calculations, it’s crucial for pension administrators to be highly accurate and have a strong grasp of relevant regulations. Many employers require administrators to hold qualifications like the Certificate in Pensions Calculations (CPC) from the Pensions Management Institute (PMI).
While some calculations might be done manually, most pension administrators use specialised software for efficiency and accuracy. These programmes handle complex calculations and ensure compliance with regulations.
Types of Calculations:
- Accrued benefits: This involves calculating the value of a person’s pension pot based on their contributions, investment growth, and scheme rules.
- Death benefits: Determining the lump sum or ongoing payments payable to beneficiaries in case of the member’s death.
- Retirement benefits: This includes calculating the annual, monthly, or lump sum pension payable when a member retires. It considers factors like accrued benefits, scheme rules, and tax-free lump sum allowance.
- Transfer values: Calculating the value of a person’s pension pot if they want to transfer it to another scheme.
- Commutation: This involves calculating the lump sum equivalent of a future pension income, subject to tax implications.