Contracted-out money purchase schemes (COMPs) are a type of pension scheme that allows employees to opt-out of the government-funded State Second Pension (S2P) and instead make their own pension provisions through a private pension provider.
COMPs were introduced in the UK in 1978 as part of wider changes to the pension system. The government wanted to encourage people to save for their own retirement, rather than rely solely on the state pension. COMPs were seen as a way of achieving this goal, by giving employees more control over their pension savings.
Under a COMP scheme, both the employee and employer contribute to a pension pot, which is invested by a private pension provider. The employee is responsible for managing their own pension investments, and can choose to invest in a range of assets, such as stocks and shares, bonds, and property.
One of the main benefits of a COMP scheme is that it can provide employees with a higher retirement income than they would have received through the S2P. This is because COMPs generally offer better investment returns and lower charges than the S2P.
Another advantage of COMPs is that they can be tailored to individual needs. Employees can choose their own level of contribution, and can also choose how the pension pot is invested. This allows them to build a pension portfolio that suits their own risk appetite and retirement goals.
However, there are also disadvantages to COMPs. One of the main risks is that the value of the pension pot can go down as well as up, depending on the performance of the investments. This means that employees could end up with a smaller pension pot than they had expected.
Another risk is that employees may not fully understand the risks involved in investing in COMPs. This could lead to them making poor investment decisions or not contributing enough to their pension pot.
Overall, COMPs can be a good option for employees who are willing to take on the risks involved in managing their own pension investments. However, it is important to carefully consider the pros and cons before making a decision. As with all financial decisions, it is important to seek professional advice from a qualified financial advisor.