SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of February, 2008
PRUDENTIAL PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
LAURENCE POUNTNEY HILL,
LONDON, EC4R 0HH, ENGLAND
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes No X
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-
Enclosures: With-Profit Announcement
For immediate release: Tuesday 26 February 2008
GBP2.7 BILLION ADDED TO POLICY VALUES IN ANOTHER YEAR OF STRONG PERFORMANCE FOR
PRU'S WITH-PROFITS CUSTOMERS
59 Per Cent Increase In With-Profits Bond Sales In 2007
Performance Overview:
- The Prudential Life Fund has delivered strong investment returns of 91 per
cent over 5 years and 134 per cent over 10 years, with the Fund delivering a
strong performance of 7.2 per cent in 2007
- GBP2.7 billion* added to Prudential UK With-Profits policy values (GBP2.5
billion in 2007)
- Majority of annual bonus rates to increase in 2008
- Pensioners receiving a with-profits annuity income in retirement from
Prudential** will benefit from a rise in income of up to 11 per cent
(compares with an inflation rate of 3.1 per cent and State pension increase
of 3.9 per cent)
- All Prudential endowments to meet repayment targets in 2008, as they have
done in all previous years
- This strong long-term performance has led to total Retail with-profits
sales in 2007 of approximately GBP2.3 billion, up 21 per cent on 2006.
With-Profits bond sales increased 59 per cent in 2007, with sales in the
fourth quarter up 89 per cent on the corresponding quarter of 2006
Notes:
*GBP2.7 billion added to With-Profits policy values is split GBP1.2bn Annual
Bonus and GBP1.5bn Terminal Bonus.
**This does not include the book of with-profits annuities that transferred from
Equitable Life to Prudential on 31 December 2007
Gary Shaughnessy, Managing Director of Retail Life and Pensions at Prudential
said:
"In these challenging markets, we have delivered once again - improving the
retirement and savings prospects for millions of our customers. Over the
long-term, these inflation-beating returns clearly demonstrate the value of
investing in our actively, well managed fund, particularly in periods of market
volatility, and the benefits that this style of more cautious investing
provides. Nowhere is this more apparent than for the pensioners who will receive
monthly income growth well above the cost of inflation and their State pension
increase.
"We are again number one among our major competitors in terms of Life Fund
investment returns over 5 and 10 years and the value of our with-profits
investments continues to out-perform many of the other investments typically
available to with-profits investors. With consumers in the UK seeking to protect
themselves from market down-turns, we have shown yet again that investing in a
strong with-profits fund can produce good returns for the prudent investor. We
have seen a surge in with-profits sales as more and more investors choose
Prudential's with-profits to protect themselves during volatile and uncertain
conditions as well as during market growth.
"Successful risk management and asset allocation by the Prudential Portfolio
Management Group, our in-house fund managers, has been a key driver in helping
to protect the fund and lock in value to produce consistently strong returns
that are in excess of most other with-profits funds, thereby delivering improved
prospects for our policyholders over the longer-term. They have made a number of
significant strategic calls over recent years including the decision to de-risk
the corporate bond portfolio within the fund prior to the market turbulence
experienced since the middle of last year."
Prudential's with-profits customers have benefited over the long-term from the
With-Profits Fund's performance, a consistent bonus setting philosophy and
long-term investment growth. This has allowed customers to plan for their
retirement with increased certainty and without having to experience the worst
of stock market conditions.
In 2007, the well diversified, multi-asset mix of Prudential's With-Profits Fund
was able to withstand the market pressures and produce a 7.2 per cent return. It
also out-performed all other major with-profits funds that have declared to
date, as well as many other investment sectors (Cautious Managed, Balanced and
FTSE All-Share (total return)). The Prudential With-Profits Fund continues to
help protect its investors from the volatility seen in investment markets over
the last 12 months.
Our investment performance stands out from our major with-profits competitors
with impressive one, five and ten year returns on the Fund.
With-Profits Fund Performance
Company 2007 Total return over 5 Total return over 10
years years
Prudential 7.2% 91.0% 134.4%
Scottish Amicable 6.5% 86.4% 128.2%
Liverpool Victoria 5.7% 78.7% 93.9%
L&G 5.0% 77.4.% N/A
Standard Life* 5.7% 69.8% 99.1%
CGNU 5.4% 73.4.% 101.3%
Norwich Union 5.8% 65.3% N/A
Scottish Widows 5.0% 61.4% N/A
Friends Provident 5.0% 59.7% 80.4%
*Note 6
Equally over 10 years, our Fund has outperformed the FTSE 100 and FTSE All-Share
indices, as well as the UK Average Cash benchmarks. Take a look at the facts:
Fund / Index Total return over 10 years
Prudential With-Profits Fund 134.4 %
FTSE All Share (total return) 82.4 %
FTSE 100 (total return) 69.2 %
UK Average Cash Fund 38.2%
Note 7
This message is a consistent and familiar one to Prudential policyholders who
are again rewarded for being part of the recognised top-ranking with-profits
fund in the UK over the last ten years, with strong investment growth over that
period.
Prudential's with-profits customers can also plan for their retirement with
greater certainty in the knowledge that their investments have performed
consistently well over both the long-term, but also more recently in volatile
and uncertain market conditions. The payouts to Prudential's with-profits
customers compare very favourably against other actively managed investments.
In 2007, Prudential's With-Profits Fund return of 7.2 per cent out-performed the
average sector returns:
- Balanced Managed Funds: 4.5 per cent;
- Distribution Funds: 0 per cent;
- IPD Property: 5.5 per cent; and
- Cash: 3.8 per cent.
Source: Financial Express average life fund sector fund performance and
Financial Express FINEX 90 day deposit performance, both between 31/12/2006-31/
12/2007. Investment Property Databank 31/12/2006-31/12/2007
This performance demonstrates that investing in with-profits with Prudential
works.
Prudence Delivers for Customers:
Prudential believes that its with-profits investments continue to provide solid,
long-term growth prospects for most investors through increased payouts for
policies maturing in 2008 when compared with their value 12 months ago - further
evidence that holding long-term investments over their full term is sensible for
the vast majority of investors.
As in previous years, Prudential continues to show the 12-month growth achieved
for individual policyholders, as this is a more relevant measure than showing a
comparison with a policy that matured a year earlier.
Policies in 2008 show increases compared with their position a year ago:
- 10 year Prudence Bond - With-Profits Bond - (GBP10,000 single premium)
up 6.0 per cent
- 15 Year Prudence Bond - With-Profits Bond - (GBP10,000 single premium)
up 7.7 per cent
- 15 year Personal Pension - (GBP200 per month regular premiums) up 8.7 per
cent
- 15 Year With-Profits Annuity - (i.e. taken out between 6 April 1993 and
5 April 1994 with no anticipated bonus) will pay an income in 2008 up
10.1 per cent
- 20 year Personal Pension (GBP200 per month regular premiums) up 9.1 per
cent
- 25 year Prudential With-Profits Mortgage Endowment up 5.9 per cent
Notes: - Mortgage endowment example based on GBP50 p.m. regular premiums; male
aged 29 at start of contract
- All figures are after deduction of tax (where relevant) and charges.
As investor sentiment turns ever more cautious, the majority of Prudential's
customers continue to benefit from year-on-year increases in their policy
values, driven by fund management excellence, financial strength and a
diversified mix of assets that has seen their investments compare very
favourably to alternative available investments.
Examples of annual bonuses include:
Prudence Bond's performance relative to alternative investment products
Investment Product Total Payout Annualised Return
Prudential With-Profits Bond GBP17,361 5.6%
(10 year, GBP10,000 single premium)
Average building society account GBP11,879 1.7%
Average balanced managed unit trust GBP15,655 4.6%
Average balanced managed GBP14,429 3.7%
unit-linked life fund
Notes 5 and 8
Prudential's Personal Pension performance relative to alternative investment
products
Investment Product Total Payout Annualised return
Prudential With-Profits Individual Pension (20 year term, GBP117,469 8.2%
GBP200 per month regular premiums)
Average building society account GBP65,123 2.9%
Average balanced managed unit trust GBP111,801 7.8%
Average balanced managed GBP109,337 7.6%
unit-linked pension fund
Note 5, 8 and 9
Majority of annual bonus rates are increasing by around 0.25 per cent
Annual Bonus Rates Per Cent
2008 2007 Increase
Prudential
Prudence Bond 3.50 3.25 0.25
Personal Pension 3.50 3.25 0.25
Mortgage Endowment 1.20/2.50* 1.00/2.00* 0.20/0.50*
Unitised Corporate Pensions 3.75 3.50 0.25
* per cent of sum assured/ per cent of previous annual bonus.
Scottish Amicable With-Profits:
Prudential's fund management team is also responsible for the running of the
closed Scottish Amicable with-profits fund. This fund accounts for GBP13.2
billion of the GBP87 billion with-profits funds managed by Prudential. Since
Prudential's acquisition of Scottish Amicable in 1997, the Fund has benefited
from the same investment process as the Prudential With-Profits Fund.
This year's highlights are:
- The Scottish Amicable fund delivered a solid investment return of 6.5
per cent in 2007. Over 10 years the fund has delivered 128 per cent.
- GBP676 million* added to Scottish Amicable With-Profits policy values
- 25 year Scottish Amicable With-Profits Mortgage Endowment value up 8
per cent
- A typical payout on a 25-year Scottish Amicable endowment maturing in
2008 is GBP49,280
- 98 per cent of Scottish Amicable endowments are expected to meet
repayments targets in 2008
*Notes: GBP676 million added to With-Profits policy values is split GBP216
million Annual Bonus and GBP460 million Terminal Bonus.
Mortgage endowment example based on GBP50 p.m. regular premiums; male aged 29 at
start of contract. All figures are after deduction of tax (where relevant) and
charges.
Majority of annual bonus rates are increasing by around 0.25 per cent
Annual Bonus Rates Per Cent
2008 2007 Increase
Scottish Amicable
Personal Pension 0.60/1.40* 0.40/1.00* 0.20/0.40*
Mortgage Endowment 1.10/2.00* 0.80/1.50* 0.30/0.50*
* per cent of sum assured/ percent of previous annual bonus.
Ned Cazalet, Cazalet Consulting, and a leading industry commentator, said: "The
Pru's WP Fund has turned in a dazzling performance over the past few years. On
the investment front, the Pru has got some big market calls right, and its
tactical asset allocation decisions have paid-off, big time, leading to massive
investment out-performance relative to its peers, with the knock-on effect
showing up in its market-bucking bonus payments - we score it 9 out of 10."
(Cazalet Consulting - October 2007)
In July 2007 Prudential retained its top ranking in the WM Life Fund Survey. The
Prudential With-Profits Fund took the top spot, making it the best performing
fund in the WM UK Life Fund Universe. The WM Life Fund Survey is compiled on a
quarterly and annual basis by WM, the independent fund-performance service
provider. This ranking consolidates the superior position achieved in previous
years, with Prudential retaining its top spot over 10 years.
Steve Johnson, of the Financial Times, wrote: "The Prudential fund, which
famously avoided the worst effects of the dotcom crash by de-risking shortly
before, was the best performing fund in the WM UK Life Fund universe in 2005 and
2006. Prudential's with-profits fund, consistently the strongest performing
life fund in the UK, de-risked its portfolio prior to the current market
turbulence by hedging its credit exposure and selling down Asian equities and UK
property." (Source: Financial Times FM - 13 August 2007)
With-Profits Sales Boost:
The strong long-term investment performance has led to total Retail with-profits
sales in 2007 of approximately GBP2.3 billion, up 21 per cent on 2006.
With-Profits bond sales increased 59 per cent in
2007, with sales in the fourth quarter up 89 per cent on the corresponding
quarter of 2006.
Sales of PruFund (Prudential's unitised and smoothed investment plan) in
particular were strong during 2007 at GBP190 million and it now has more than
GBP300 million of funds under management. PruFund includes an optional five year
capital guarantee - this means that the value of a customer's investment on its
fifth anniversary is at least the amount initially invested in the plan,
allowing for any income or withdrawals taken. This option is extremely popular,
with over 60 per cent of new applications last year opting for it.
-Ends-
Full details of Prudential's 2008 bonus announcement can be downloaded from:
www.pru.co.uk/presscentre www.headlinemoney.co.uk
Or contact the Prudential UK press office on:
Darragh Leeson Tel: 0207 150 2600 Mobile: 07801 856011
Sophie Dawn Tel: 0207 150 2574 Mobile: 07810 753485
Steve Colton Tel: 0207 150 3136 Mobile: 07771 531525
The information contained in Prudential UK's press releases is intended solely
for journalists and should not be used by consumers to make financial decisions.
Full consumer product information can be found at www.pru.co.uk
Forward-Looking Statements
This statement may contain certain "forward-looking statements" with respect to
certain of Prudential's plans and its current goals and expectations relating to
its future financial condition, performance, results, strategy and objectives.
Statements containing the words "believes", "intends", "expects", "plans", "
seeks" and "anticipates", and words of similar meaning, are forward-looking. By
their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty
because they relate to future events and circumstances which are beyond
Prudential's control including among other things, UK domestic and global
economic and business conditions, market related risks such as fluctuations in
interest rates and exchange rates, and the performance of financial markets
generally; the policies and actions of regulatory authorities, the impact of
competition, inflation, and deflation; experience in particular with regard to
mortality and morbidity trends, lapse rates and policy renewal rates; the
timing, impact and other uncertainties of future acquisitions or combinations
within relevant industries; and the impact of changes in capital, solvency or
accounting standards, and tax and other legislation and regulations in the
jurisdictions in which Prudential and its affiliates operate. This may, for
example, result in changes to assumptions used for determining results of
operations or re-estimations of reserves for future policy benefits. As a
result, Prudential's actual future financial condition, performance and results
may differ materially from the plans, goals, and expectations set forth in
Prudential's forward-looking statements. Prudential undertakes no obligation to
update the forward-looking statements contained in this statement or any other
forward-looking statements it may make.
Contents
1. Investment Performance
2. What this means for customers
- Payout values for Prudence Bond, personal pensions and savings
endowments (Prudential and Scottish Amicable)
- Comparison of with-profits to alternative investments
3. With-Profits Annuities (WPA)
- Bonus rates for WPA
- How WPA work
4. Mortgage Endowments - Prudential and Scottish Amicable
- Payout values for mortgage endowments
- Red, amber and green status
5. How bonus rates are managed by Prudential
6. How customers can get access to Prudential's with-profits performance
7. Annual and final bonus rates for 2007
- Annual and final bonus rates and how they are calculated
- Who isn't seeing an increase
- Unitised versus conventional policies
8. Notes to Editors
1. Investment performance
Fund performance
Prudential's Fund has once again performed strongly, with a total return of 7.2
per cent (before tax and charges) in 2007. All investors will benefit.
Over five years to 31 December 2007, the With-Profits Fund achieved a total
return of 91 per cent, against 94.6 per cent for the FTSE 100 (total return)
and 104.6 per cent for the FTSE All-Share (total return). Over 10 years, the
Fund has returned 134.4 per cent against 69.2 per cent for the FTSE 100 (total
return) and 82.4 per cent for the FTSE All Share (total return).
(All figures to 31 December 2007, before tax, charges and the effects of
smoothing. Source: Prudential, Lipper Hindsight).
How the fund is run and the role of Prudential's Portfolio Management Group
Prudential has an exceptionally strong investment capability, with total funds
under management of GBP267 billion (as at 31 January 2007) and more than 300
investment professionals around the world.
The geographic and sector portfolios within the With-Profits Fund (including the
Scottish Amicable With-Profits Fund) are run by different managers. This
resource is co-ordinated by the Portfolio Management Group (PMG), which acts as
'manager of managers' for the Prudential Group and is responsible for asset
allocation and risk management.
The PMG team is made up of economists, investment strategists and analysts who
operate separately from the conventional asset managers of Prudential. They
come from a range of backgrounds and, between them, have extensive investment
knowledge and experience.
Asset allocation
With-profits contracts are long-term contracts. This, combined with the strong
financial position of the fund, enables Prudential to invest with a clear bias
to 'real assets' (e.g. equities and property). At the end of December 2007 the
Fund had approximately 69 per cent in real assets. These are the assets that in
the long run we believe will deliver the most attractive real returns.
The fund is a very sophisticated, very well diversified multi-asset fund. It is
diversified geographically, by asset type and within the underlying stock
portfolios. This diversification is an attractive feature of the Prudential
with-profits proposition. It helps reduce risk or expected volatility by
insulating the total fund from potential weakness in any particular market or
stock. It also gives our investment managers a large opportunity set from which
to find attractively priced assets.
We believe that getting the broad investment strategy right is the most
important determinant of good long-term investment performance. We therefore
have a dedicated team of 16 investment professionals called the Portfolio
Management Group (PMG) focussed on getting the right asset allocation strategy
for our multi-asset funds including with-profits. This group has been extremely
successful over the last 10 years and we believe that our expertise in asset
allocation is a core skill within the Prudential Group. For example, from 1999
we started to switch a substantial part of the equity weighting into corporate
bonds, which greatly mitigated the effect of the substantial stockmarket falls
during 2000 - 2002.
Other value adding decisions in recent years have been the bias towards smaller
emerging markets within global equities, a significant investment in UK
commercial property - one of the best performing asset classes over the last 10
years - the decision to be substantially invested in higher yielding corporate
bonds rather than government bonds such as gilts, and the decision to hedge most
of the dollar exposures in the fund.
The main theme for 2007 was one of de-risking the portfolio in a number of
selected areas. Firstly, early in the year the Fund continued to be an active
seller of UK commercial property. Our view was that the revaluation of property
in recent years had gone too far, and that, particularly in retail sectors,
there was evidence of excess. Towards the end of the year the market started to
show clear signs of the expected weakness and the fund is now not an active
seller at current levels.
Secondly, we have de-risked in fixed income by substantially increasing the
average credit rating on our bond portfolios - this culminated in the timely
purchases of a substantial derivatives hedge in June before the mayhem in credit
markets. The Fund's exposure to the problem areas of higher risk structured
credit such as US Sub-Prime is negligible. Thirdly, we have de-risked in
equities by substantially reducing the bias within our global equity portfolio
to the smaller emerging markets. This is essentially taking profits on these
investments after a 5 year period of very strong performance.
The broad asset mix will continue to be actively managed and reviewed as the
economic environment and market valuations change.
Current Asset Mix
31/12/07 31/12/06 31/12/05 31/12/04 31/12/03
% % % % %
Equity shares
- UK shares 35 36 40 33 33
- Non-UK shares 17 17 19 15 15
Fixed interest 28 25 21 29 31
Property 14 15 15 18 17
Alternative investments 3 3 2 2 2
Cash 3 4 3 3 2
Total 100 100 100 100 100
Scottish Amicable Insurance 31/12/07 31/12/06 31/12/05
Fund
% % %
(SAIF)
Equity Shares
- UK equities 33 35 37
- Non-UK equities 16 16 18
Fixed interest 33 32 27
Property 13 13 14
Alternative Investments 3 2 1
Cash 2 2 3
Total 100 100 100
Scottish Amicable's With-Profits Fund
Prudential's asset management team is also responsible for the running of the
closed Scottish Amicable With-Profits Fund, which accounts for GBP13.2 billion
of the GBP87 billion under management in Prudential's overall With-Profits fund.
Since the takeover of Scottish Amicable by Prudential in 1997, the fund has
benefited from the same investment process as the Prudential fund. The Scottish
Amicable fund delivered an investment return of 6.5 per cent in 2007 and, over
ten years, the fund has delivered 128 per cent.
Prudential's Solvency remains strong
The long-term fund remains well-capitalised and is one of the strongest in the
UK with a financial strength rating of AA+ by Standard & Poor's, Aa1 by Moody's
and AA+ by Fitch Ratings.
2. What this means for customers
We have produced excellent year-on-year increases for most customers, as
follows:
- 10-year Prudence Bond (GBP10,000 single premium): growth of 6% over the
9-year value in 2007 (based on Optimum Return Fund, initial charge option)
- With-profits annuities: income increased by up to 11% for the coming
year
- 15-year personal pension (GBP200 per month regular premium): growth of
8.7% (Prudential) and 9.3% (Scottish Amicable) over the 14-year value in
2007
How the investment performance relates to policyholders
In translating the performance of the fund into benefits for policyholders,
various allowances are made. First, for plans other than pensions, there is a
deduction for tax and for all plans there are charges to take into account. The
return on the fund, net of tax, over 2007 was 6.5 per cent.
There is then an allowance for smoothing. Some of the investment return in good
years is held back so that we can boost bonus rates when markets have not been
so good - producing a generally smoother pattern of returns to policyholders,
year to year, than the actual performance of the fund.
Finally, the investment return is apportioned between annual bonuses and final
bonuses. In most cases, we aim to keep a substantial proportion of payout values
in non-guaranteed form - that is, payable as final bonus. This helps to maintain
flexibility for our investment strategy and to protect the ongoing solvency of
the fund.
Annual bonuses are based on our view of the expected long-term investment
return. Final bonus rates are more closely linked to actual past performance,
taking into account smoothing, as described above.
What is generally important to customers is the total value added to their
policy. The figures in the following sections reflect this, showing the value of
policies in 2008 compared with the value in 2007.
Note: In recent years all of our policies have been re-branded 'Prudential' and
are now sold under one brand. Historically, however, we operated two brands:
Prudential and Scottish Amicable. For the purposes of this announcement we have
maintained the split so it is clear which example relates to which policies.
Where we refer to a building society account it should be remembered that money
in these accounts is secure and readily accessible and would generally return
all the investor's capital, whereas money in our investment products and
pensions may return less than has been invested and the value of these products
will fluctuate.
Payout values for Prudence Bond, personal pensions and savings endowments
PRUDENTIAL:
Typical increase in Prudence Bond policy values
Prudence Bond Year-on-Year Increase in a Annual Increases
With-Profits Bond Bond's Value # in Cash-in Values
Policy Duration Single Premium Bond Value Bond Value Increase in
Value over 2007
In 2008 (2007) 2008 2007 %
5 years GBP10,000 GBP14,850 GBP13,623 GBP1,227 9.0%
(4 years)
7 years GBP10,000 GBP14,866 GBP13,982 GBP884 6.3%
(6 years)
10 years GBP10,000 GBP17,361 GBP16,376 GBP985 6.0%
(9 years)
# No MVR is payable in this case
Notes 5 and 8
Prudence Bond's performance relative to alternative investment products
Investment Product Total Payout Annualised
Return
Prudential With-Profits Bond GBP17,361 5.6%
(10 year, GBP10,000 single premium)
Average building society account GBP11,879 1.7%
Average balanced managed unit trust GBP15,655 4.6%
Average balanced managed GBP14,429 3.7%
unit-linked life fund
Notes 5 and 8
What this means for the Typical Prudence Bond Customer
A typical customer with a Prudence Bond policy will have seen its value increase
from GBP10,000 to GBP17,361 over the ten years up to 1 May 2008. By investing
with Prudential over the last 12 months, the policyholder's bond is worth 6.0
per cent more than it was on 1 May 2007. This value represents an overall return
of 5.6 per cent over each of the last 10 years.
Note: all figures are after tax and charges
Prudential Personal Pension
Personal pension* Year-on-Year Increase in a Annual Increase in cash-in
value, after allowing for
For policies maturing in 2008 Policy's Value premiums paid during the year
Policy Duration Regular Policy Policy Value Increase in Value
In 2007 (2006) Premium Value 2008 2007 over 2007 %
5 Years GBP200 p.m. GBP15,036 GBP11,549 GBP3,487 8.5%
(4 years)
10 Years GBP200 p.m. GBP33,375 GBP28,462 GBP4,913 8.5%
(9 years)
15 Years GBP200 p.m. GBP62,382 GBP55,112 GBP7,271 8.7%
(14 years)
20 Years GBP200 p.m. GBP117,469 GBP105,367 GBP12,102 9.1%
(19 years)
*Note 8
Prudential's Personal Pension performance relative to alternative investment
products
Investment Product Total Payout Annualised return
Prudential With-Profits Individual Pension GBP117,469 8.2%
(20 year term, GBP200 per month regular premiums)
Average building society account GBP65,123 2.9%
Average balanced managed unit trust GBP111,801 7.8%
Average balanced managed GBP109,337 7.6%
unit-linked pension fund
What this means for the typical Individual Pension Customer
For a typical male personal pension customer, who has paid GBP200 per month into
their pension for 20 years and is retiring at age 65, the fund is GBP117,469. If
the same customer had decided to transfer the policy last year, he would have
lost out on the 9.1 per cent increase that he would have earned had he kept the
policy for another year (after allowing for the premiums paid in the year).
Note: all figures before tax but after charges
Prudential Savings Endowments
With-Profits Endowment Year-on-Year Increase in a Annual Increase in
cash-in value, after
25 Year Policy (male 30 next Policy's Value allowing for premiums
birthday at outset) paid during the year
Policy Duration Regular Policy Policy Increase in Value
In 2008 (2007) Premium Value Value over 2007 %
Date 2008 Date 2007
10 years GBP50 p.m. GBP7,729 GBP6,829 GBP900 4.2%
(9 years)
15 years GBP50 p.m. GBP13,467 GBP12,305 GBP1,162 4.5%
(14 years)
20 years GBP50 p.m. GBP25,691 GBP23,910 GBP1,782 4.9%
(19 years)
25 years GBP50 p.m. GBP46,686 GBP43,464 GBP3,222 6.0%
(24 years)
Note 8
Savings endowments performance relative to alternative investment products
Investment Product Total Payout Annualised return
With-Profits Endowment (25 Year Term, GBP50 per GBP46,686 8.1%
month regular premiums; male aged 30 next
birthday at outset)
Average building society account GBP22,254 3.0%
Average balanced managed unit trust GBP50,122 8.6%
Average balanced managed GBP38,347 6.8%
unit-linked life fund
Notes 5 and 8
What this means for the typical with-profits endowment customer
For a typical customer who has a 25-year with-profits policy, paying a premium
of GBP50 per month, the payout value on a policy maturing this year is GBP46,686,
which reflects an 8.1 per cent return (net of tax and charges) for each of the
25 years.
Note: all figures after tax and charges
SCOTTISH AMICABLE:
Scottish Amicable Personal Year-on-Year Increase in a Annual Increase in cash-in value,
Pension after allowing for premiums paid
Policy's Value during the year
Policy Duration Regular Policy Policy Value Increase in Value %
In 2008 (2007) Premium Value Date 2007 over 2007
Date 2008
5 Years** GBP200 p.m. GBP15,780 GBP12,128 GBP3,652 9.3%
(4 years)
10 Years** GBP200 p.m. GBP36,459 GBP30,761 GBP5,698 10.2%
(9 years)
15 Years GBP200 p.m. GBP66,872 GBP58,841 GBP8,031 9.3%
(14 years)
20 Years GBP200 p.m. GBP126,963 GBP114,633 GBP12,330 8.5%
(19 years)
** Ex-SAL policy
Note 8
Scottish Amicable's Personal Pension performance relative to alternative
investment products
Investment Product Total Payout Annualised return
Scottish Amicable With-Profits Individual Pension GBP126,963 8.8%
(20 year term, GBP200 per month regular premiums)
Average building society account GBP65,123 2.9%
Average balanced managed unit trust GBP111,801 7.8%
Average balanced managed GBP109,337 7.6%
unit-linked pension fund
Notes 5 and 8 All figures before tax, if applicable but after charges
A male personal pension customer who has contributed GBP200 a month for 20 years
and is retiring at age 65 on 1 May 2008 will have a fund value of GBP126,963.
Over the last year, the total value of his pension will have grown by 8.5%,
allowing for the premiums paid during the year.
3. With-Profits Annuities
Key points:
- With-profits annuities income increased by up to 11 per cent for the
coming year
- Five-year overall average bonus up to 9.23 per cent (from 8.2 per cent)
- Regular Bonus 2.75 percent for the fifth year running
- As a result, all with-profits annuitants, regardless of their
Anticipated Bonus Rate, will receive an increase in income at their annual
review in 2008/9
With-Profits Annuities (WPA)
WPAs are invested in the with-profits fund and promise to pay retirees an income
for the rest of their lives. Crucially, WPA generates an income stream that has
the potential to grow. By contrast, a fixed-level annuity will not rise, so a
retiree will find that the value of their annuity is gradually reduced by
inflation.
WPA can also provide an attractive alternative to conventional annuities that
are linked to inflation. Although incomes from inflation-linked annuities are
guaranteed to rise in line with the Retail Price Index, the starting incomes are
usually considerably lower.
How With-Profits Annuities work
Conventional annuity payments have been in general decline due to, among other
things, lower bond yields and companies taking into account the fact that people
are living longer. While conventional annuities are essentially risk-free,
savers who are considering a conventional annuity now will be locking themselves
into these relatively low rates.
WPAs, on the other hand, link the level of income to the performance of the
with-profits fund, which has a mix of assets that over the longer term gives
them the prospect of income growth. The returns from these investments are paid
to annuitants as bonuses, which may vary from year-to-year. Bonuses are designed
to smooth the ups and downs of the investment markets.
An important factor is the anticipated bonus rate (ABR) that policyholders
choose at the outset. This determines the starting income and is used to
calculate how much the income goes up or down when bonuses are added each year.
If the actual bonuses awarded are higher than the ABR, the annuity payments in
the next year will increase. If they are lower, the annuity income will drop.
Our experience shows that many people opt for a middle range ABR that can
provide a similar starting income to a conventional level annuity. Currently an
ABR of around 3.5 per cent will achieve this for most retirees. This makes
future income growth with a WPA more likely because it's a reasonably low
performance to beat.
By way of an example, a 65-year old man could have bought three types of annuity
when he invested GBP50,000 on 6 April 2004.
Product Starting income Income paid in Increase in income Total income in Extra income over
2004/05 2008/09 over 2004 five years since level annuity
2004 after 5 years
Pru WPA (ABR 3%) GBP3,648 GBP4,625 GBP977 GBP20,550 10%
Level GBP3,729 GBP3,729 - GBP18,645 N/A
RPI Linked GBP2,556 GBP2,944 GBP388 GBP13,652 -27%
Note:
1. The amount of the additional bonus is not guaranteed and it may vary or
be discontinued at any time. However, once added it will remain unchanged until
the next yearly review.
2. The anticipated bonus rate (ABR) determines the starting income and is
used to calculate how much the income goes up or down when bonuses are added
each year. If the actual bonuses awarded are higher than the ABR, the annuity
payments in the next year will increase. If they are lower, the annuity income
will drop.
4. Mortgage Endowments
Key points:
All Prudential and an estimated 98.2 per cent of Scottish Amicable endowments
maturing in 2008 are forecast to meet repayment targets
- We expect 14,694 Prudential policies to mature in 2008, and the average
surplus is expected to be GBP5,500.
- We expect 33,300 Scottish Amicable policies to mature in 2008. Of
these, an estimated 98.2 per cent will meet repayment targets, with the
average surplus expected to be GBP2,280. Of the 580 (1.8 per cent) which
are not anticipated to meet their target amount, the average shortfall is
expected to be around GBP362.
And compared to 2007...
- All Prudential endowments maturing in 2007 met their repayment targets
- the average surplus on policies was GBP4,300.
- 98 per cent of Scottish Amicable endowment policies maturing in 2007
met their repayment target with an average surplus of GBP3,348. The
remaining 2 per cent (470 policies) had an average shortfall of GBP518.
Payout values for mortgage endowment customers:
Prudential
Prudential With-Profits Mortgage Year-on-Year Increase in a Annual Increase in
Endowment cash-in values, after
Policy's Value allowing for premiums
25 Year Policy (male, 30 next paid during the year
birthday at outset)
Policy Duration Regular Policy Policy Increase in Value
In 2008 (2007) Premium Value Value over 2007 %
Date 2008 Date 2007
10 years GBP50 p.m. GBP7,550 GBP6,670 GBP880 4.0%
(9 years)
15 years GBP50 p.m. GBP12,950 GBP11,833 GBP1,117 4.3%
(14 years)
20 years GBP50 p.m. GBP24,848 GBP23,125 GBP1,723 4.8%
(19 years)
25 years GBP50 p.m. GBP44,515 GBP41,444 GBP3,072 5.9%
(24 years)
Note 8
Prudential mortgage endowments performance relative to alternative investment
products
Total Payout Annualised return
Prudential With-Profits Endowment (25 Year Term, GBP44,515 7.8%
GBP50 per month regular premiums; male aged 30
next birthday at outset)
Average building society account GBP22,254 3.0%
Average balanced managed unit trust GBP50,122 8.6%
Average balanced managed GBP38,347 6.8%
unit-linked life fund
Notes 5 and 8
What this means for the typical Prudential mortgage endowment customer
For a typical customer who holds a 25-year with-profits endowment paying a
premium of GBP50 per month, the payout value on maturity is GBP44,515, which is
equivalent to 7.8 per cent return (net of tax and charges) for each of the 25
years.
Note: all figures after tax and charges
Scottish Amicable
Scottish Amicable With-Profits Year-on-Year Increase in a Annual Increase in
Mortgage Endowment cash-in values, after
Policy's Value allowing for premiums
25 Year Policy (male 30 next paid during the year
birthday at outset)
Policy Duration Regular Policy Policy Increase in Value
in 2008 (2007) Premium Value Value over 2007 %
Date 2008 Date 2007
10 years GBP50 p.m. GBP6,850 GBP5,823 GBP1,027 6.9%
(9 years)
15 years GBP50 p.m. GBP14,155 GBP12,633 GBP1,522 7.1%
(14 years)
20 years GBP50 p.m. GBP25,603 GBP23,280 GBP2,323 7.3%
(19 years)
25 years GBP50 p.m. GBP46,274 GBP42,252 GBP4,022 8.0%
(24 years)
Note 8
Scottish Amicable's mortgage endowment performance relative to alternative
investment products
Total Payout Annualised return
Scottish Amicable With-Profits Endowment (25 GBP46,274 8.0%
Year Term, GBP50 per month regular premiums; male
aged 30 next birthday at outset)
Average building society account GBP22,254 3.0%
Average balanced managed unit trust GBP50,122 8.6%
Average balanced managed GBP38,347 6.8%
Unit-linked life fund
Notes 5 and 8
Note: all figures after tax and charges
What this means for the typical Scottish Amicable mortgage endowment customer
For a typical customer who holds a 25-year with-profits endowment paying a
premium of GBP50 per month, the payout value on maturity is GBP46,274, which is
equivalent to 8.0 per cent return (net of tax and charges) for each of the 25
years.
Note: all figures after tax and charges
Red, Amber and Green mortgage endowment status
In accordance with accepted guidelines we monitor how many of our endowment
customers' policies are not expected to meet their repayment targets. This is
shown as 'red, amber, or green', with green being satisfactory, amber indicating
a potential shortfall and red showing a likely shortfall: action should be
taken.
Prudential
Prudential has approximately 185,000 mortgage endowment policies in force.
- 12,000 policies matured in 2003, all of which met their target values.
- 9,271 policies matured in 2004, all of which met their target values
(the average surplus was GBP1,900).
- 8,333 policies matured in 2005, all of which met their target values
(the average surplus was GBP2,200).
- 9,923 policies matured in 2006, all of which met target values (the
average surplus was GBP3,350).
- 10,923 policies matured in 2007, all of which met target values (the
average surplus was GBP4,300).
- We expect 14,694 policies to mature in 2008, all of which are
anticipated to meet repayment targets. The expected average surplus is
GBP5,500.
Approximately 136,000 mortgage endowment letters were issued to Prudential
policyholders in 2007 (where a customer has more than one mortgage endowment
policy with Prudential, only one letter is sent) of which:
2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003
Green 65% 67% 60% 51% 41% 24%
Amber 16% 17% 27% 24% 29% 32%
81% 84% 87% 75% 70% 56%
Red 19% 16% 13% 25% 30% 44%
Note: The primary reason for the decrease in the green percentage is the
reduction of the proportion of green policies overall.
Scottish Amicable
Scottish Amicable had approximately 425,000 plans in force (as at November
2007).
- 19,000 Scottish Amicable mortgage endowments matured in 2003, of which
2,700 did not meet their target amount (the average shortfall was GBP595).
- 19,356 endowment policies matured in 2004 of which 17,238 (89 per cent)
met their repayment targets, the average surplus being GBP2,900. Of the
2,118 (11 per cent) that did not meet their target amount there was an
average shortfall of GBP890.
- 16,774 endowment policies matured in 2005 of which 15,959 (95 per cent)
met their repayment targets, the average surplus being GBP2,409. Of the 815
that did not meet their target amount there was an average shortfall of
GBP49.
- 20,966 endowment policies matured in 2006 of which 20,030 (95.5 per cent)
met their repayment targets, the average surplus being GBP2,746. Of the
936 that did not meet their target amount there was an average shortfall of
GBP894.
- 22,200 endowment policies matured in 2007 of which 21,354 (96 per cent)
met their repayment targets, the average surplus being GBP3,342. Of the 845
that did not meet their target amount there was an average shortfall of
GBP923. Of the 22,200 endowment policies that matured in 2007, 21,532 were
100 per cent with-profits plans. 21,062 (98 per cent) met their repayment
targets, the average surplus being GBP3,348. Of the 470 that did not meet
their target amount there was an average shortfall of GBP518.
- We expect 33,300 policies to mature in 2008 with an average surplus of
GBP2,280. Of the 580 (1.8 per cent) policies which are not anticipated to
meet their target amount, the average shortfall is expected to be around
GBP362.
Note: The expected shortfall is based on a representative sample of policies and
depending on which policies actually mature, the actual shortfall may turn out
to be different. For example, in February 2005 we estimated the average
shortfall to be around GBP1,000 for policies maturing during 2005, whereas the
actual shortfall was only GBP49.
Around 260, 000 endowment letters were issued to Scottish Amicable policyholders
in 2007, of which:
2008* 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003
Green 50% 47% 41% 24% 16% 13%
Amber 35% 35% 43% 42% 31% 22%
85% 82% 84% 66% 47% 35%
Red 15% 18% 16% 34% 53% 65%
* the figures for 2008 are estimates
5. How bonus rates are managed by Prudential
In 2008 annual bonus rates are being maintained or increased on all policies.
When we decide on the rate of the annual bonus, the main consideration is the
return we expect our investments to earn in the future. We hold some of this
return back to enable us to pay final bonuses and maintain a flexible investment
strategy.
We target annual bonuses to be a prudent proportion of the expected long-term
future investment return (net of tax where relevant, and charges), and we aim to
change the annual bonus rates only gradually. For the with-profits fund our
expected long-term future investment return is around 8.5 per cent per annum
gross.
So, annual bonuses look forward and final bonuses look back. Therefore, it's
the final bonus that takes into account the actual investment return over the
term of the policy and it's this element of the overall return that is most
likely to change year-on-year.
6. How customers can get access to Prudential's with-profits performance
Access to the with-profits fund is available through a range of Prudential's
investment products. These include:
Prudence Bond:
An investment bond that is designed to give the client a smoothed return based
on the performance of the with-profits fund. It is available via the Prudential
Investment Plan.
PruFund Investment Plan:
An investment bond that is designed to give the client a smoothed return based
on the performance of the with-profits fund. It differs from Prudence Bond in
that returns are smoothed according to a tested formula. Typically, PruFund's
policyholder returns will more closely reflect the performance of the
with-profits fund over shorter terms. Over the medium to long-term, returns on
PruFund and Prudence Bond are expected to be similar. Policyholder returns are
not subject to any MVR throughout the term of investment. PruFund also adds a
quarterly return which is estimated in advance, currently 5 per cent net of life
fund tax and product charges.
With-Profits Annuity:
An annuity that provides income based on both actuarial calculations and the
performance of the with-profits fund. In the current market place, under normal
investment conditions, income from a with-profits annuity is expected to be
greater than a conventional or inflation-linked annuity would provide.
International With-Profits Bonds:
Available in Sterling, US Dollar and Euro denominations. Bonus rates are not
subject to the deduction of life fund tax and are therefore quoted on a gross
basis. The returns and the assets supporting those returns are based in the
currency of the relevant fund (that is, Sterling, US Dollars and Euros).
Individual Pension Plans:
A with-profits pension plan that is designed to give smoothed access to the
returns of the life fund, without deduction of life fund tax (other taxes may
apply).
Trustee Investment Plan (TIP):
A single premium plan aimed at Trustees of Pension Funds. Returns are paid gross
of tax and net of charges. Prudential also offers a 'no MVR Guarantee' at the
end of 5 years. TIP can be used as a core holding to a growth portfolio for the
medium term (5 years or more) and it can also reduce the need for Trustees to
actively make investment decisions as these are taken by Prudential. This fund
cannot lose money at maturity. Regular bonuses once added cannot be taken away
and this, coupled with the 'no MVR guarantee' at maturity, provides an excellent
proposition for Trustees.
Note:
1. The value of an investment may fluctuate and is not guaranteed. An MVR
may be applied. You may not get back the full amount of your investment and, for
investments in the With-Profits Funds as above, the value of the policy depends
on how much profit the fund makes and how Prudential decides to distribute it.
2. With regard to the Expected Growth Rate for PruFund, this rate is an
indication of how we expect the PruFund Growth fund to grow over the year and
assumes no regular withdrawals are taken. The Expected Growth Rates for the
funds can be found on www.pru.co.uk, these are reviewed at the end of each
quarter and are not guaranteed.
7. Annual and final bonus rates for 2008
Total bonus rates (which is the combination of annual and final bonus rates)
were increased or maintained on all unitised plans and there were excellent
year-on-year increases in the value of nearly all with-profits policies.
Prudential takes a prudent, but active approach to fund management, smoothing
and bonus rates. It is this approach that has allowed us to continue to pay
bonuses and provide policyholders with competitive returns over recent years,
despite difficult market conditions.
Prudential will pay two types of bonuses this year:
- Annual (or regular) bonuses are added to policies each year in order to
gradually increase the plan value (excluding MVR, or cash-in charges).
When we decide on the rate of the annual bonus, the main thing we consider is
the return we expect our investments to earn in the future. We hold some of
this return back to enable us to pay final bonuses and maintain a flexible
investment strategy.
We target annual bonuses to be a prudent proportion of the expected long-term
future investment return (net of tax and charges), and we aim to change the
annual bonus rates only gradually.
For the with-profits fund our expected long-term future investment return is
around 8.5 per cent p.a. gross.
Annual bonus rates are being maintained or increased on all policies.
- Final (or terminal) bonuses may be added when the benefits of a policy
mature, are cashed-in/transferred or the policyholder dies.
These bonuses are used to make up the difference between the guaranteed benefits
(annual bonuses) and the overall smoothed value of each customer's policy asset
shares.
Prudential uses these bonuses to return to each policyholder a fair share of the
assets of the with-profits fund, while smoothing for the impact of market
changes, especially around the date of maturity. Payment of a final bonus is not
guaranteed.
So, in summary, annual bonuses look forward and final bonuses look back.
Therefore, it's the final bonus that takes into account the actual investment
return over the term of the policy, and it's this element of the overall return
that is most likely to change year-on-year.
Examples of bonus rates
Product Regular/Annual New Money Rate %
Bonus Rate %
Prudence Bond 2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
Prudence Bond (Optimum Return) 3.50 3.25 0.25 5.2 5.2 0.00
Pension
Pru Personal Pensions 3.50 3.25 0.25 6.75 6.75 0.00
Mortgage Endowments 1.20/2.50* 1.00/ 0.20/ N/A N/A N/A
2.00* 0.50*
Retirement Income
With-Profits Annuities 2.75 2.75 0.00 N/A N/A N/A
*-% sum assured / % of attaching regular bonus
Full details of all annual bonus rates are available on request.
So who isn't getting an increase?
Estimates are that around 1000 policyholders may not see an increase in their
policy values.
The issue for them is not that they won't see their annual bonus maintained or
increased - they will - but rather it is either the impact of charges in the
early years on a long-term policy or because they are already being paid more
than the underlying value of assets.
Unitised policies versus conventional policies
While there are many variations of with-profits policies and plans, they can be
grouped into two areas: unitised policies and conventional policies.
Unitised with-profits policies
Where money is invested in a unitised policy - such as our Prudence Bond or
Personal Pension plan - units are allocated to policyholders, and these units
increase at a steady rate, determined by the annual bonus rate. At retirement or
when the policy is cashed-in, a final bonus may be added. An MVR may apply when
a policy is cashed-in or transferred.
Since these policies are with-profits, they benefit from the smoothing process.
This is different to a unit-linked policy where the value of the units goes up
or down in line with market movements.
Conventional policies
Conventional with-profits policies - such as mortgage endowments - have an
initial amount that is guaranteed to be payable to the policyholder on maturity,
known as the sum assured. Each year the guaranteed amount can be increased by
the annual bonus. At maturity a final bonus may also be added.
8. Notes to Editors:
1. Comparison between Prudential products and other returns are for periods to 1
May 2008
2. The deposit fund values, unit trust values and unit-linked life fund values
in 2007 use actual returns from the relevant 1 May to 31 December 2007 and then
projected to 1 May 2008 using the most recent returns.
3. The Micropal UK Savings Indices deposit rates assumed are gross of tax for
pensions products and net of tax for life products (net of tax, for Prudence
Bond). The rates are surveyed from the largest 20 building societies and
ex-societies. The UK Savings GBP2,500+ Investment gross/net index for deposits
of GBP2,500+ at 7 day notice or better have been used for all regular premium
policies and for single premium policies of less than GBP25,000. The UK Savings
GBP25,000+ Investment gross/net category with 90 days notice or better has been
used for all single premiums greater or equal to GBP25,000. The unit trust
returns are based on an average for the "Balanced Managed" sector, offer to bid,
gross income reinvested (net income reinvested, for Prudence Bond). The
unit-linked life fund returns are based on the average returns in the ABI UK
Life Fund's " Balanced Managed - Life Fund" category.
4. Source for stock market returns: M&G.
5. The with-profits investment is not like a bank or building society deposit
account. A with-profits policy may return less than has been invested, in
particular in the early years, whereas a bank or building society deposit
account would return all the customer's capital. Investors should consider
keeping any money which might be needed in the short term in a bank or building
society deposit account which is generally secure and readily accessible.
6. Standard Life returns are for years of 15.11.x to 14.11.x+1 rather than
calendar years up to, and including, 2003. Calendar years used thereafter. For
2006 and 2007 the With-Profits Bond return has been used.
7. Source: Prudential / Lipper Hindsight. All figures to 31 December 2007 before
tax, charges and the effects of the smoothing process. Past performance is no
guide to the future.
8. All policy values include final bonus. Details of these final bonus figures
are available upon request.
9. The purpose of illustrating the performance of pension funds against Building
Society accounts is to compare and contrast the values built up by investing in
these products, both of which have their own specific risks and benefits.
10. MVR policy is subject to change without notice.
11. Past performance is no guide to the future. The payment of a final bonus is
not guaranteed. Future rates of bonus are not guaranteed.
12. Full terms and conditions are available on request.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date 26 February, 2008
PRUDENTIAL PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
By: /s/ JON BUNN
Jon Bunn
Director of Public Relations