Is legacy thinking stopping the future?

If you work with Smart, you’ll know that a digital-first approach defines everything that we do.

Smart

27/1/2021

If you work with Smart, you’ll know that a digital-first approach defines everything that we do. Our business is built on our technology, which is scalable and modular and can be customised to meet any user’s needs.

It’s about a fresh perspective, innovation and new technology in what is, after all, an old marketplace.

However, what if the platform you’re using doesn’t give you the opportunity for that freshness of perspective? If you’re penned-in by out of date ways of doing things, how can you even begin to think outside the box?

We’ve been concerned for some time that, collectively, the pension industry is falling dangerously behind when it comes to investment in technology. Our worry is that for many pension scheme providers, this has become an elephant in the room and an enormous false economy.

The reality is that the consequences of legacy systems and a lack of investment in technology are combining to produce pension schemes that are letting their members down. Worryingly, this is an international problem, not one unique to any specific country.

Working with Professional Pensions, we’ve recently taken an in-depth look at why providers have been slow to invest in the technology the industry so desperately needs.

What we found were three major gaps – all of which need addressing quickly to ensure that how the pension industry works is fit for purpose in the 21st century.

The first gap is the technology gap itself. The pension industry is decades behind most of the financial services industry, because the online experience for scheme members varies so much.
The second gap is a problem with technological delivery and engagement. There’s a clear disconnect between what corporate leaders think their pension programme offers and what scheme members need, want and expect.
The third gap is all about a mindset. There is too much protection of the past, too many excuses to why something can’t be done, there is no greater example than the pension dashboard. On the whole, the industry agrees that the pension dashboard is important but the old way of thinking and conflicting objectives constrain its progress.

All three are signs that our industry is at a crucial juncture, we believe we are approaching a tipping point. Without investing in the future and putting customers first, are some providers on the road to an uncertain future? Or even no future at all? ‍

Find out more here.

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FOOTNOTES

CONTRIBUTORS

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News articles

Is legacy thinking stopping the future?

If you work with Smart, you’ll know that a digital-first approach defines everything that we do.

Smart

January 27, 2021

It’s about a fresh perspective, innovation and new technology in what is, after all, an old marketplace.

Working with Professional Pensions, we’ve recently taken an in-depth look at why providers have been slow to invest in the technology the industry so desperately needs.

What we found were three major gaps – all of which need addressing quickly to ensure that how the pension industry works is fit for purpose in the 21st century.

The first gap is the technology gap itself. The pension industry is decades behind most of the financial services industry, because the online experience for scheme members varies so much.
The second gap is a problem with technological delivery and engagement. There’s a clear disconnect between what corporate leaders think their pension programme offers and what scheme members need, want and expect.
The third gap is all about a mindset. There is too much protection of the past, too many excuses to why something can’t be done, there is no greater example than the pension dashboard. On the whole, the industry agrees that the pension dashboard is important but the old way of thinking and conflicting objectives constrain its progress.

Find out more here.

About Smart

Smart is a global savings and investments technology platform provider. Its mission is to transform retirement, savings and financial wellbeing around the world.

Smart partners with governments and financial institutions (including insurers, asset managers, banks, financial advisers) to deliver retirement savings and income solutions that are digital, bespoke and cost efficient. In addition to the UK, Smart is operating in the USA, Europe, Australia and the Middle East with more than a million savers entrusting over £10 billion in assets on the platform.

Smart supports its clients with a global team.

Aquiline Capital Partners, Legal & General, Fidelity International Strategic Ventures, J.P. Morgan, the Link Group, Barclays, Natixis Investment Managers, DWS Group and Chrysalis Investments are all investors in Smart.

For media enquiries

Email: pressoffice@smartco

Is legacy thinking stopping the future?

THIS IS JUST USED FOR RICH TEXT STYLING

Static and dynamic content editing

Static and dynamic content editing

Static and dynamic content editing

Static and dynamic content editing

How to customize formatting for each rich text

FOOTNOTES

CONTRIBUTORS

More Design and tech articles

More from the Innovation team

Is legacy thinking stopping the future?

If you work with Smart, you’ll know that a digital-first approach defines everything that we do.

About Smart

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