Oft-quoted rule of pension planning: 'Don't delay'

The stagnation of the economy and in particular the struggling plight of SMEs, has led to calls to postpone the introduction of auto-enrolment, most recently in a Government report by Adrian Beecroft.

But the nine million workers who currently contribute nothing towards an occupational pension – and who have no ancillary benefits – cannot afford any delay. Besides, many employers have already made substantial investments to gear up for auto-enrolment.

Auto-enrolment is a huge opportunity to raise the bar for employee benefits by ensuring that the workplace becomes a universal safety net for all employees, regardless of their income. In the longer-term, after the introduction of pensions, I believe employers will make a virtue of the necessity to contribute and offer broader benefits programmes, including life and disability cover.

In turn, auto-enrolment will be the trigger for closer convergence of group risk with pensions and other workplace benefits. Technology will be the key to giving IFAs the platform they need to be able to offer comprehensive benefits to employers in a hassle-free way.

Improved AALs - especially for smaller schemes

We've improved the way we calculate automatic acceptance limits (AALs, also known as ‘free cover limits’) on group life schemes.

The changes minimise the number of members whose benefits require underwriting, with the biggest impact being on small schemes, meaning that the process becomes as hassle-free as possible for them.

The changes to AALs means that Ellipse only underwrites members whose benefits are a long way from the scheme average and will benefit small schemes in particular, reducing the need to underwrite as frequently and making the process easier.

Even where underwriting is required, Ellipse offers its fast, easy, online assessment that allows the whole process to be completed within 20 minutes (as opposed to the usual days, weeks or even months our competitors take) in the majority of cases.

With no minimum premiums, no policy fee, the availability of a Master Trust facility - and now our improved AALs – it adds up to a compelling group life proposition for advisers to take to their SME clients, so if your company hasn't yet signed a Terms of Business Agreement with us yet, please visit http://www.ellipse.co.uk/working-with-us