DC Provider Research and Selection

Selecting the right DC pension provider is one of the most important decisions employers and trustees make. With the combined DC pension expertise and independent broking scale of Barnett Waddingham and Howden, we bring clarity and confidence to this process – ensuring your workplace pension scheme is well placed to deliver better long-term outcomes.

Independent research, sharper insight

We go beyond surface comparisons. Our dedicated DC provider research team combines structured questionnaires, market intelligence and direct provider engagement to give you a clear picture of what each provider can deliver. Because we are fully independent, our recommendations are always guided by what is right for your members and your business.

Technology that supports confident decisions

Our DC pension technology, GEM (Govern, Engage, Monitor), brings clear data, analytics and transparency to DC provider selection. By applying client-specific weightings, benchmarking provider performance and modelling potential outcomes, GEM ensures you can test scenarios and make decisions with complete confidence.

The benefits of working with us

Whole-of-market analysis that highlights meaningful differences between providers.
Conflict-free recommendations – independence means your interests come first.
Collaborative workshops to capture your objectives and priorities from the outset.
Transparent scoring and benchmarking using GEM.
Practical implementation support that reduces risk and resource demands.
Better long-term outcomes by aligning provider choice with member needs and business goals.

A clear, collaborative process to selecting a DC provider

Our DC selection process is tried and tested. It ensures your requirements and your members’ best interests are central to our recommendations – with advice that is always conflict-free.

1. Initial workshop

We begin with a collaborative workshop involving all key stakeholders. This defines priorities, membership profile, scheme design options, and any red lines. It also sets the weightings shape our provider assessments.

2. Scheme design analysis

Using GEM, we analyse member cohorts to inform the scheme’s design, investment strategy and engagement requirements.

See more on our DC scheme design and governance services.

3. Request for Proposal (RFP)

We prepare an anonymised RFP summarising your membership profile, scheme design and requirements, and issue this to a longlist of potentially suitable providers based on our research.

4. Provider shortlist

We analyse responses and produce a clear report with our recommended shortlist (typically two to four providers). We consider:

Provider capabilities across key research areas, weighted to your priorities.
Our wider clients and consultant experience of working with providers’
The fit of each provider with your needs and objectives.

The shortlist is presented and discussed using GEM, showing transparently how recommendations were reached and allowing scenario testing of different weightings.

5. Final selection and transition

From shortlist to final decision, we guide you through evaluation, provider presentations, and implementation support. Our comprehensive approach ensures a seamless transition to a suitable DC provider – setting your workplace pension scheme up for long-term success.