Trustees for schemes that are winding up under the Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) will be supported and assisted by Punter Southall, following a decision by the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) to appoint the consulting actuaries and administrators.

Punter Southall will act as the outsourced caseworker, the first time this service has been outsourced, in relation to annuitised schemes that are applying for compensation under the FAS. The group will support trustees of around 170 schemes which commenced winding up prior to 6 April 2005.

Alan Wilkes, principal at Punter Southall, will lead the team. "We are delighted to have been appointed as the PPF's first ever external case worker. Our team is looking forward to assisting trustees in the acceleration of the process through which members can receive assistance for their otherwise lost pensions. We are also looking forward to building a strong and lasting relationship with the PPF," Wilkes said.

Peter Walker, director of delivery at the PPF, added: "We appointed Punter Southall as the caseworker to help trustees of annuitised schemes applying for FAS assistance after a rigorous tender process. Their knowledge and experience in working with trustees will provide the support we need to make sure that FAS scheme trustees get the best possible support from the PPF during what is a time-consuming and complex process."

- Pensions Age May 2009

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