Longview Networks and Schroders launch inaugural DC investment survey
The survey comes amidst significant regulatory changes reshaping the defined contribution investment agenda for 2026
Longview Networks, the publisher for Net Zero Investor and Private Markets Profile, in collaboration with Schroders, is launching a new DC investment survey.
The DC Investment Survey 2026 provides the Defined Contribution (DC) pension scheme sector in the UK with a timely opportunity to share their views on investment trends, DC regulatory reform and market sentiment leading into 2026.
Click here to take part in the survey
The anonymous survey, aimed at investment professionals at trust-based DC schemes, covers:
1. The Future of DC
2. Asset Allocation Trends
3. Private Markets
4. Investing in the UK
5. Net Zero DC
6. Voice of DC
The survey comes at a time when regulatory reforms – most notably the Pensions Bill and the Mansion House Accord - are reshaping the agenda for DC investment decisions.
Regulatory change
The government’s upcoming Pensions Bill proposes a consolidation of DC default arrangements and the creation of DC megafunds. It also proposes a Value for Money framework for DC schemes.
The preference for DC consolidation is also reflected in the Mansion House Accord.
Additionally, the voluntary accord commits DC signatories to invest at least 10% of their default funds in private assets by 2030. At least 50% of this allocation is pledged towards private markets in the UK.
Signatories to the Accord currently manage nearly £252bn in pension assets, a number that is expected to increase.
How will these changes affect DC investment decisions? Do the schemes approve of the push for consolidation and private market asset allocation? Will the reforms increase DC investment in the UK’s private markets?
The Value for Money framework could also have potentially significant investment implications. The survey gauges the DC sector’s sentiment towards this framework and collects timely insights on how the reform will affect investment decisions in the future.
Net Zero DC
Looking ahead, DC investment decisions are expected to be driven by not only regulatory change but also opportunities emerging from the energy transition.
In the second quarter of 2025, renewable energy’s contribution to electricity generation in the UK reached a record high of 54.5%. Both domestically and globally, the energy transition brings with it opportunities for the DC sector to generate risk-adjusted returns for members.
What factors shape the DC sector’s climate-related investment strategies? What are the barriers? How might these strategies change going forward?
The anonymously conducted survey provides the DC sector with a unique opportunity to share perspectives on factors shaping the DC investment agenda. We welcome responses from CIOs, trustees, investment committee members, investment decision makers for DC trust-based schemes as well as consultants advising these schemes.
The survey is open for responses until 12 December 2025. Findings from the survey will be presented at Net Zero Investor’s Defined Contribution Forum on 29th January 2026 in London.
