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Legal & General Group

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FY2021 Annual Report · Legal & General Group
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Legal & General Group Plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Actions, 
not words

Climate, technology, housing, 
regeneration, wellbeing: we are 
delivering at pace on a range 
of initiatives to address these 
wide-reaching challenges.

Contents

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Strategic report
How we bring our vision of inclusive capitalism to life

Governance
How we grow our business responsibly

2  At a glance
4  Chairman’s statement
6 

 The virtuous circle of inclusive 
capitalism

8	 Chief	Executive	Officer’s	Q&A
10  Our strategy
12  Our business model
18  Climate: Inaction is not an option
20  Our people: Doing things differently
22  Technological innovation

24	 Chief	Financial	Officer’s	Q&A
26  Key performance indicators (KPIs)
28  Tax review
30  Business review
42  A sustainable business
52  Managing risk
55  Group Board viability statement
56  Principal risks and uncertainties

62  Board of directors
64  Executive Committee
66  Letter from the Chairman
68  Stakeholder engagement
 Major decisions and  
73 
discussions during 2021

74  Employee engagement
75  Governance report
 Committed to the  
80 
highest standards

82 

 Nominations and Corporate  
Governance Committee report

86  Audit Committee report
92  Group Risk Committee report
94 

 Directors’ report on  
remuneration (DRR)
96  DRR quick read summary
100  Remuneration policy (summary)
102  Annual report on remuneration

Financial statements
Our financial statements for the 
year ended 31 December 2021

Other information

119  Financial statements
120  Group consolidated 
financial	statements
130  Primary statements 
and performance

148 Balance sheet management
197	Additional	financial	information
226	Company	financial	statements

234  Directors’ report
238  Shareholder information
240  Alternative performance measures
241 Glossary

Annual report quick read 
A summary of the annual report, 
highlighting strategy, performance 
and how the group is structured, 
is available online: 
group.legalandgeneral.com/
annualreportsummary

Climate report
group.legalandgeneral.com/reports

Tax supplement
group.legalandgeneral.com/reports

Gender pay gap report
group.legalandgeneral.com/reports

Risk supplement
group.legalandgeneral.com/reports

Contents

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

1

At a glance

Our purpose is to improve the lives of our customers, 
build a better society for the long term and create value 
for our shareholders – we call this inclusive capitalism.

Financial measures

Profit before tax £m

Adjusted operating profit £m

Earnings per share p

Net release from operations £m

2,632

2,129

2,156

2,061

2,055

2,335

2,286

2,218 2,262

31.87

30.79

30.92

34.19

27.00

1,499

1,597

1,539

1,688

1,454

1,440

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Profit before tax comprises all items 
of income and expense recognised 
in profit or loss (excluding tax). 

Adjusted operating profit measures 
the pre-tax result excluding the impact 
of investment volatility, economic 
assumption changes caused by changes 
in market conditions or expectations 
and exceptional items. The measure 
enhances the understanding of the group’s 
operating performance over time by 
separately identifying non-operating items.

Earnings per share (EPS) measures the 
profitability and strength of a company over 
time. It is determined as total shareholder 
profit after tax divided by the number of 
shares outstanding.

Net release from operations is the release 
from operations plus new business surplus/
(strain). It includes the release of prudent 
margins from the back book and premium 
received, less the setup of prudent reserves 
and associated acquisition costs for 
new business.

Throughout this report, all bar chart scales start from zero.

Non-financial measures

Solvency II capital coverage ratio
(proforma basis, unaudited)

Return on equity

Employee satisfaction index
(unaudited)

Operational footprint (Scope 1 
and 2 location)

187%

(2020: 175%)

20.5%

(2020: 17.3%)

76%

(2020: 77%)

Solvency II capital coverage ratio (on a 
proforma basis), which shows own funds 
divided by the solvency capital requirement 
including the impact of the final salary 
pension scheme, is one of the indicators 
of the group’s balance sheet strength, and 
aligns to management’s approach of 
dynamically managing its capital position.

Return on equity (ROE) is the return earned 
by shareholders on shareholder capital 
retained within the business. ROE is 
calculated as profit after tax divided 
by average shareholders’ funds.

Employee satisfaction index measures the 
extent to which employees report that they 
are happy working at Legal & General.

30,706 tCO2e1

(2020: 31,640 tCO2e)

Measures the greenhouse gases (GHG)
associated with our direct operations. 
Scope 1 emissions are direct GHG emissions 
occurring from sources owned or controlled 
by the company. Scope 2 emissions are 
indirect GHG emissions from consumption 
of purchased electricity, heat or steam.

Performance measures and remuneration
The performance measures used for the purpose of determining variable elements of 
directors’ remuneration are aligned to the group’s key performance indicators (KPIs). 
These are indicated with the icon: 

. 

For more details, refer to pages 100 to 101 of the Directors’ report on remuneration. 

Alternative performance measures (APMs)
The group uses certain APMs to help explain its business performance, indicated 
with the icon: 

.

Further information on APMs, including a reconciliation to the financial statements 
(where possible), can be found on page 240.

Full definitions of the financial metrics above are included in the glossary on page 241.

1. 

 Our total Scope 1 and Scope 2 (location) emissions have been subject to independent limited assurance by PwC. The basis of preparation (or reporting criteria) for our group carbon 
footprint is available at group.legalandgeneral.com/sustainabilityreports and PwC’s assurance report is available in our 2021 climate report at group.legalandgeneral.com/reports.

2

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Strategic report

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

We aim to:

Be a leading provider 
of retirement and  
protection solutions

Be one of the world’s 
largest asset managers

Be an innovative 
asset creator 

Build a more 
sustainable society

Our businesses
We	benefit	from	scale	in	each	of	our	businesses.	Our	businesses	work	
together to deliver on our purpose and to drive synergies across the group.

Institutional retirement 
(‘LGRI’)

See page 31 

•  We take on pension scheme liabilities from corporate schemes 

in both the UK and the US. This ‘pensions de-risking’ gives 
companies greater certainty over their liabilities while providing 
guaranteed payments to individuals within their schemes.

Retail retirement  
(‘LGRR’)2

See page 34

Investment management 
(‘LGIM’)

See page 36

Capital investment  
(‘LGC’)

See page 38

Insurance  
(‘LGI’)2

See page 40

•  We help our customers accumulate pensions savings and transform 

them into the income they need to have a colourful retirement.

•  We are one of the world’s leading asset managers, managing assets 

for internal and external clients.

•  We	are	the	market	leader	in	UK	defined	contribution	scheme	clients.

•  Our investments across specialist commercial real estate, clean 

energy,	housing	and	SME	finance	generate	attractive	shareholder	
returns	and	create	alternative	assets	which	benefit	society.

•  We are one of the UK’s top ten house builders by revenue.

•  We are the UK’s number one individual life insurance provider 

and we offer ‘level-term’ life insurance in the US.

•  Our group protection business in the UK offers life insurance and 

income protection products to individuals through their employers. 

 See more about 
our business model 
on pages 12 to 17

£7.2bn

pension risk transfer 
premiums

£957m

individual annuity sales

£1.4tn

assets under management

>2,900

homes sold

>9 million

number of customers 

2. 

 As of 1 January 2022, LGRR and LGI (our two retail businesses) have come together to form Legal & General Retail. Under the leadership of Bernie Hickman, this division will focus 
on serving the savings, protection and retirement needs of our retail and workplace customers.

At a glance

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

3

Chairman’s
statement

Social purpose is 
at the centre of 
everything we do.

Introduction
2021	was	a	year	in	which	Legal	&	General’s	
resilience and sound business model enabled 
us to return to growth and play our part as broader 
society continued to absorb and address the 
consequences of Covid-19. No one company can 
address these challenges on its own, but we can 
be	proud	of	Legal	&	General’s	contribution	to	the	
progress made in 2021. We continue to be 
thankful for the service of key workers and our 
thoughts are with all those who have suffered 
during the pandemic, especially those who have 
lost loved ones. 

Our	customers	rely	on	Legal	&	General	to	pay	their	
pensions, protect their income and manage their 
assets. We have worked through two years of 
challenging circumstances and I would like to 
thank	everyone	at	Legal	&	General	for	their	hard	
work and dedication to make sure that we 
maintained the quality of our service during 
this time.

In the complex circumstances of 2021, we have 
continued to focus on our long-term strategy. 
Our	five	growing	businesses	are	building	new	
homes, de-risking pension schemes, providing 
annuities, protecting customers, and creating 
and managing socially and environmentally useful 
investments. We will continue our £33 billion 
programme of direct investments, which includes 
investments	into	key	sustainability	fields,	such	
as renewables and clean energy.

4

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Strategic report
Strategic report

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Annual General Meeting 2022
The AGM will be held on 26 May 2022.

Dividend policy
We are a long-term business and 
set our dividend annually, according 
to agreed principles. The Board’s 
intention for the future is to maintain 
its	progressive	dividend	policy,	reflecting	
the group’s expected medium-term 
underlying business growth, including 
measurement of Net release from 
operations	and	Adjusted	operating	profit.

Full year dividend p

15.35

16.42

17.57

17.57 18.45

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Final dividend to be paid 
on 1 June 2022 

13.27p

(2020: 12.64p)

The climate decade
COP26 in Glasgow was convened to coordinate 
and progress the international effort to limit 
global warming to 1.5°C or less. It was more 
successful than some expected, but less successful 
than others hoped. We continue to advocate 
urgent action from both governments and the 
private sector, and we will continue to use our 
influence	as	a	large	investor	to	promote	the	
transition to a low carbon economy.

This transition requires diligent and determined 
approaches to solving all the challenges 
of decarbonisation. We continue to regard 
engagement as opposed to divestment as a more 
effective way of managing the whole spectrum 
of these challenges. We will not simply leave the 
toughest issues to others.

We are committed to decarbonising both the assets 
on our balance sheet and our operations to align 
with the ‘Paris’ Agreement. We will validate our 
targets through setting science-based targets.

Financial resilience
During 2021, our business achieved balanced 
and	profitable	growth,	and	we	saw	the	group	
return to the growth trend rate achieved in the 
last decade, following the ‘pause year’ of 2020. 
Legal	&	General	operated	throughout	2021	without	
accessing any furlough scheme or other Covid-19 
business support.

Our	adjusted	operating	profit	was	£2.3	billion	
and	profit	for	the	year	of	£2.0	billion	was	up	30%	
compared	with	2020,	reflecting	a	recovery	from	
the prior year impact of Covid-19. Earnings per 
share was 34.19 pence compared with 27.00 
pence in 2020. We achieved a return on equity 
of 20.5% and our Solvency II coverage ratio was 
187% on a proforma basis.

The interim dividend of 5.18 pence and the 
recommended	final	dividend	of	13.27	pence	
are consistent with our stated ambition. The 
Board’s intention is to maintain its progressive 
dividend policy.

Stakeholders
In the Governance section of this report, we 
report on our wider engagement with stakeholders.

In October 2021, we hosted a capital markets 
event focused on our capital investment business 
(LGC), with presentations of LGC’s strategy, our 
approach	and	investment	capability,	financial	
performance and ambitions.

In May 2021 our Annual General Meeting (AGM) 
was	held	in	our	office	in	London.	While,	due	to	
Covid-19, shareholders were not able to attend 
in person, all were invited to join virtually via an 
online video platform. The Board was delighted 
to provide shareholders with the opportunity 
to ask questions live during the meeting. 

The Board is looking forward to welcoming 
shareholders	to	our	first	hybrid	AGM	this	year.	
Full details of the 2022 AGM and any special 
arrangements that may be in place in light of 
Covid-19 will be included in the Notice of AGM 
that will be sent to shareholders.

The Board
I would like to congratulate Sir Nigel Wilson on 
his	knighthood;	it	is	a	reflection	of	his	extraordinary	
leadership of the company and of the wider social 
purpose he puts at the centre of everything we do. 

Julia Wilson stood down from the Board on 
31 March 2021 following a nine-year tenure. 
Philip Broadley, Chair of the Audit Committee, 
has taken on the position of Senior Independent 
Director following Julia’s departure from the 
Board. We have also recently announced that 
Toby Strauss will be standing down from the 
Board at the end of April 2022 following his 
recent appointment as the Chair of Age UK. 
I would like to thank Julia and Toby for their 
immense	contributions	to	Legal	&	General	during	
their time with us.

Nilufer von Bismarck OBE was appointed to the 
Board as an independent non-executive director 
in May 2021. Laura Wade-Gery was appointed 
to the Board in January 2022, bringing extensive 
knowledge of digital transformation and 
customer experience. We are also delighted
that Tushar Morzaria will be joining the Board 
in May 2022.

The Board continues to focus on maintaining 
a	well-balanced	and	diversified	Board	with	the	
right mix of individuals who can apply their wider 
business knowledge and experience to the setting, 
and oversight of delivery, of the group’s strategy.

Outlook
Whilst Covid-19 remains very much with us, 
we	nevertheless	maintain	a	confident	business	
outlook for 2022.

The preparations we made, both before the 
pandemic and those we have implemented over 
the last year, have ensured that we have been well 
placed to play an important role in an investment-
led economic recovery and to contribute further 
to addressing critical societal challenges, especially 
long-term investment in the infrastructure 
required to reach net zero by 2050.

Sir John Kingman
Chairman

Chairman’s statement

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

5

What are we 
investing in?

Rethinking retirement
We help people live better in their 
later years by investing in innovative 
later-living communities and funding 
research that will improve the way we 
all live as we age. For example, our 
joint venture (JV) partnership with 
NatWest will invest £500 million 
to build later-living communities. 

For more details, refer to pages  
31 to 33

5,100

energy-efficient	homes	
will be constructed through 
our JV with NatWest

The virtuous circle of

inclusive 
   capitalism

Future-proofing society
We invest billions of pounds 
to help to build a better society 
for all. This includes 
infrastructure, affordable 
homes and support for small 
businesses; making money 
work harder than ever before.

For more details, refer to pages  
38 to 39

A long-term patient 
capital injection can 
completely transform 
towns and cities, 
creating real jobs 
whilst generating 
income to pay 
pensioners. This is 
inclusive capitalism 
at its best.”

Sir Nigel Wilson
Chief	Executive	Officer

6

Strategic report

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Investing for good
As one of the world’s biggest asset 
managers, we use our scale to 
encourage the companies we 
invest in to behave responsibly 
and	in	a	way	that	benefits	everyone.	

For more details, refer to pages  
36 to 37

>5,000

directors’	elections	we opposed	
due to governance concerns

Inclusive capitalism is what we do. 
It drives our strategy, shapes our culture 
and has sustainability at its core. We invest 
retirement premiums directly into our 
communities, providing opportunities 
for younger people.

Harnessing technology
From building the data centres 
that keep businesses connected, 
to supporting our customers with 
our	fast	and	efficient	systems,	
we are	investing	in	technology	
to build a better future for everyone.  

For more details, refer to pages  
22 to 23

65%

of net zero-related jobs 
are expected to come 
from the science and 
technology sector 
by 2050

Building infrastructure
We are developing essential 
infrastructure and injecting capital 
into towns and cities that have 
suffered long-term under-
investment to ensure they thrive 
in the years ahead. 

For more details, refer to pages  
38 to 39

Tackling the climate crisis
We are investing in renewable 
energy technologies, from energy 
efficient	homes	to	fusion	power,	
to help	limit	global	warming	
and ensure our balance sheet 
supports net	zero	commitments.	 

For more details, refer to pages  
18 to 19

What are we investing in?

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

7

Chief Executive  
Officer’s Q&A

We have been 
operating inclusive 
capitalism at scale.

What were the areas of focus 
for Legal & General in 2021?
2021 was a year of strong performance and, 
against a challenging global backdrop, we returned 
to the rate of growth we delivered in the decade 
before Covid-19. I am proud that our team of over 
10,000 people adapted well to the challenges of 
different working models and continued to deliver 
great	customer	service,	protecting	the	financial	
security of millions of customers.

The virtuous circle of inclusive capitalism
We have been operating inclusive capitalism at 
scale to help re-shape the UK for a decade now. 
We use our own capital and pension assets from 
our institutional retirement business to invest 
back into society. In this way, the savings of older 
policyholders provide opportunities for younger 
generations; we call this the virtuous circle of 
inclusive capitalism. Be it renewable energy 
generated by Hornsea’s wind turbines, urban 
regeneration in Manchester and Leeds or 
affordable homes in Bristol, we know it works.

Stepping up to levelling up
For	Legal	&	General,	‘Levelling	Up’,	and	‘Build	Back	
Better’, are more than phrases; we are leading the 
change. We have invested more than £33 billion, 
targeted to deliver ‘Levelling Up’ to an economically 
more productive, net zero economy. We are creating 
thousands of jobs through transformative 
regeneration projects from Sunderland to Cardiff. 

Strengthening sustainability
Climate change is both the biggest challenge, and 
the biggest investment opportunity, of our lifetimes. 
Long before COP26, as an investor, an asset 
manager and an employer, we were pushing for 
climate action and a more sustainable economy. 

For the past 18 months, Michelle Scrimgeour (CEO 
of LGIM) has co-chaired the COP26 Business 
Leaders Group, where we mobilised the skills and 
resources of our peers to target net zero by 2050. 
COP26 delivered on many of the issues we have 
campaigned for, but there remains much more 
to be done; words must now give way to actions 
delivered at speed and scale. 

8

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Strategic report

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

We’ve created a culture 
where people want to 
deliver the right outcomes 
and society trusts us.”

Disrupting markets with technology
Affordable	and	energy-efficient	housing	is	crucial	
to ‘Levelling Up’ throughout the UK. We have a 
state-of-the-art modular homes factory in Selby 
and we use our investments in clean technology, 
such as ground source and air source heat pumps 
and electric vehicle charging points, to build 
homes	which	are	capable	of	operating	efficiently.	
We will enable all homes we build from 2030 to 
operate at net zero carbon. In the US, our Horizon 
platform is automating underwriting, helping more 
people access the protection products they need. 

Delivering on promises
In 2021, we broke ground on a number of 
developments that add real growth and real 
jobs to the economy. As part of our £4 billion 
partnership with Oxford University, construction 
began on the new Life and Mind Building. Our 
investment in Sky Studios Elstree aims to be the 
most	sustainable	film	and	TV	production	site	
in the world when it opens in late 2022. 

Our £1.5 billion partnership with the University of 
Manchester will add another tranche of capacity 
to	the	UK’s	scientific	capability	as	we	create	a	new	
science quarter called IDManchester. 

As we have demonstrated over the last two years, 
we have adapted to change whilst growing our 
business. We have been operating inclusive 
capitalism at scale and are set to continue with 
this ambition in 2022.

Sir Nigel Wilson
Chief	Executive	Officer

How did the business perform in 2021?
Despite the challenges of 2021, our long-term 
strategy	continues	to	deliver	five	successful,	
growing businesses. Our global pension risk 
transfer business, LGRI, welcomed major new 
customers and wrote £7.2 billion of premiums. 
LGRR, our retail retirement business, delivered 
annuity sales of £957 million. 

Our investment management business, LGIM, 
is a major global investor with total assets 
under management of £1.4 trillion, of which 
£290 billion is in responsible investment strategies 
explicitly linked to environment, social and 
governance (ESG) criteria. Our capital investment 
business, LGC, grew its alternative asset portfolio 
by 10% to £3.4 billion. 

Our insurance business, LGI, delivered adjusted 
operating	profit	of	£268	million.	From	
1 January 2022, our retail retirement and 
insurance businesses have come together 
to	form	Legal	&	General	Retail,	which	will	focus	
on serving the savings, protection and retirement 
needs of our retail and workplace customers. 

What is Legal & General’s focus today?
Creating a sustainable economy
Historic under-investment in the UK has to be 
remedied if we are to create a sustainable economy. 
This is where the private sector can make a 
difference. At COP26, we argued that the private 
sector can bring expertise to convert promises 
and pledges into real actions.

Funding innovation
We look after the workplace pensions of more 
than four million UK workers and the total savings 
of	all	defined	contribution	pensions	will	soon	
exceed £1 trillion. Currently, workplace pensions 
do	not	benefit	from	the	same	level	of	growth	
offered by venture capital funds. Our capital 
investment business has increased its small and 
medium	enterprises	(SME)	finance	assets	under	
management to £611 million, supporting over 
330 start-up businesses. 

Areas of focus 

Addressing climate change
We are investing in low-carbon 
technologies, are a world-leading 
ESG investor and have set 
ourselves ambitious targets.

Investing in the real economy
Our direct investments range from 
affordable housing, to science hubs 
and creative industries.

Technological innovation
From building data centres 
to supporting our customers, 
we invest in technology to build 
a better future for everyone. 

Improving wellbeing
We prioritise the welfare of our 
employees, who in turn support the 
millions of people who rely on us.

See pages 18 to 19

See pages 6 to 7

See pages 22 to 23

 See pages 20 to 21

Chief	Executive	Officer’s	Q&A

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

9

Our strategy

Our strategy 
is driven by six 
growth drivers 
that affect 
everyone.

In responding to these long-term drivers, 
our strategic priorities are set to deliver 
sustainable profits as well as positive social 
and environmental outcomes.

Our business model is aligned with our 
strategy, ensuring we derive maximum 
benefit for our stakeholders.

Environmental, social and governance 
issues are central to inclusive capitalism 
and are inherent to all six growth drivers.

Economic outlook
Whilst global and UK economic 
activity is returning to pre- 
Covid-19 levels, the outlook of 
a	period	of	sustained	inflation,	
and higher interest rates to those 
seen for a number of years, will 
impact consumer sentiment. 
Our products and services are 
relevant across a range of 
economic scenarios helping 
our customers to achieve 
financial	security.

Short-term influences
Covid-19
The roll out of vaccines and the 
development of treatments for 
severe illness from Covid-19 promises 
a return to a more normal operating 
environment. As the challenges 
presented by Covid-19 recede, focus 
is moving to re-building from the 
economic impacts, including 
infrastructure development, house 
building and addressing the effects 
of ageing demographics, all of which 
are key parts of our strategy.

Geopolitical landscape
2022 has seen a range of geopolitical 
risks come to the fore, with the 
potential	for	significant	disruption	
to global economic activity. We are 
carefully monitoring the impacts for 
our businesses from a range of 
geopolitical scenarios and to ensure 
we	remain	financially	and	operationally	
resilient to adverse events. 

10

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Strategic report

1

Ageing demographics
As populations live longer, their pensions need 
to last longer, too. Companies increasingly need 
to	find	solutions	to	their	ongoing	pension	
commitments. At the same time, individuals 
need to ensure that their retirement funds and 
other	assets	can	finance	longer	retirements.

Strategic priority
We aim to be global leaders in pensions 
de-risking and retirement income solutions, 
building upon success in the UK and US.

Market opportunity
The world population’s average life expectancy 
is projected to reach 77 years by 2050 whilst the 
working-age population declines. We participate 
in the global pension risk transfer (PRT) market, 
focusing	on	corporate	defined	benefit	(DB)	
pension plans in the UK, the US, Canada, 
Ireland and the Netherlands, which together 
have nearly £7 trillion of pension liabilities. 
Market commentators anticipate between £150 
to £250 billion of UK PRT demand over the next 
five	years.	

2

Globalisation 
of asset markets
Asset markets are increasingly globalised and 
growing.	North	America,	Asia	Pacific	and	Europe	
are all attractive markets which continue to 
expand. We look for selective opportunities to 
build and expand our successful UK business 
model abroad into markets where we believe 
we can thrive. 

Strategic priority
We aim to build a truly global asset management 
business, entering new markets and expanding 
our existing operations.

Market opportunity
As global assets under management are 
projected to increase from $103 trillion in 2020 
to $136 trillion by 2025, we will continue to 
innovate in the US retirement income market, 
expand into European wholesale asset 
management and increase our presence 
in	Asia	Pacific.

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

3

Investing in the  
real economy
Throughout the UK and beyond, there has been 
a long-term trend of under-investment in major 
towns and cities, and we continue to experience 
a serious housing shortage, while small and 
medium enterprises can also struggle to achieve 
scale without access to long-term capital.

Strategic priority
By investing capital over the long term, we 
aim to become leaders in direct investments 
whilst	benefiting	society	through	socially	
responsible investments.

Market opportunity
By 2025, an estimated 400,000 build to sell and 
build to rent units are expected to be built per 
annum in the UK. We invest pension assets and 
our own capital into the real economy, delivering 
financial	security	for	pensioners	and	fostering	
growth across towns and cities in the UK.

4

Welfare reforms
The plan for adult social care reform in 
England highlights the continued need to 
protect	people	from	financial	uncertainty.	
This includes helping people take personal 
responsibility for saving for their retirement, 
and	safeguarding	their	financial	wellbeing	
and resilience.

Strategic priority
We help people take responsibility for their own 
financial	security	through	insurance,	pensions	
and savings.

Market opportunity
As we recover from the impacts of Covid-19, 
the UK’s social security system will be under 
increasing strain, thereby placing ever more 
onus on individuals to build and maintain their 
own	financial	wellbeing.	UK	defined	contribution	
(DC) assets are expected to increase from 
£0.6 trillion in 2021 to £1.1 trillion by 2029.

5

Technological  
innovation
Consumers, clients and businesses look 
to digital platforms to help organise their 
finances	and	working	lives.	Technological	
solutions	can increase	security,	improve	the	
way we work and how we access information. 
This can mean the difference between success 
and	failure	in business.

Strategic priority
Technology and innovative solutions improve 
customers’	lives	and	increase	efficiency.	We	aim	
to be market leaders in the digital provision of 
insurance, sustaining our UK leadership, growing 
in the US and expanding in adjacent markets.

Market opportunity
The retail protection market is expected 
to increase to $30 billion in the US by 2025. 
We anticipate continued premium growth 
across our UK and US protection businesses 
as technological innovation makes our products 
more accessible to customers and supports 
further product and pricing enhancements.

6

Addressing  
climate change
Scientists, policy-makers, markets and 
regulators increasingly agree that we must limit 
global warming to 1.5°C to avoid potentially 
catastrophic impacts of climate change. This 
requires a transition to a low-carbon economy, 
which in turn creates risk management 
challenges but also substantial new growth 
opportunities, including in innovative 
technologies and clean energy.

Strategic priority
We	are	able	to	support	the	fight	against	climate	
change through the positioning of our own 
investments,	our	influence	as	one	of	the	world’s	
largest asset managers and through 
management of our own operational footprint.

Market opportunity
As	global	finance	supports	the	changes	our	
planet needs to address climate change, this 
creates an important shift in investment 
allocation and the biggest investment opportunity 
of our lifetimes. It is estimated that $20 trillion of 
investment is needed by 2025 alone to put us on 
the path to achieving global net zero emissions 
by 2050.

Our strategy

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11

Our business model

1

2

3

Resources 
 Our business model 
is underpinned by the 
depth and breadth of our 
resources, which allow 
us to execute our strategy. 

Our resources and relationships are 
key to our success and their continued 
development and enhancement 
is a constant focus for our business.

People

Brand

Our experienced, dedicated 
professionals offer market expertise 
and honesty in their interactions 
with customers.

How we develop our people
During 2021, we focused on recruitment and early 
careers, continued to train line managers on diversity 
and inclusion, and launched a global mentoring 
platform. We are designing a ‘Future of Work’ model 
that	will	provide	a	balanced	use	of	office	and	remote	
working. We engage with and measure our progress 
through our employee ‘Voice’ survey. 

See page 50 for further details.

We have a trusted brand with a strong 
reputation for stability, financial 
strength and a straightforward 
approach to business.

How we strengthen our brand
While our heritage is in the UK, in recent years 
we have increasingly moved into global markets.
Our presence and customer footprint is growing.
We continue to focus on strengthening our digital 
channels and innovation in our communication tools. 
We are continually championing data-driven marketing 
by providing easy access to key performance indicators 
and target audience data across the group. 

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Capital

We are a long-term business with robust 
regulatory capital reserves. We invest 
our customers’ pension assets and 
our own capital directly into the 
UK economy in a way which benefits 
society as a whole.

How we strengthen our capital 
Our commitments to shareholders are underpinned 
by	a	robust	balance	sheet.	This meant	we	were	resilient	
during Covid-19 and are now back on track with our 
ambitious growth agenda. 

See pages 24 to 27 for further details.

Customer loyalty

We have been building customer 
relationships since 1836 and we have 
a loyal customer base in the UK and, 
increasingly, overseas. We partner with 
companies throughout their pensions 
de-risking journey and with individuals 
over their lifetimes.

How we improve customer experience 
We are always looking at ways to improve our 
customers’ experience. That is why, from 
1 January 2022, we have formed a retail business 
that brings together our customer services. It makes 
sense for our customers and for our business.

Culture

We have a culture where people are 
fulfilled at work and excited to be 
a part of our story.

How we foster an inclusive culture
Our purpose tells us why we do what we do; 
our	behaviours	define	how we do what we do.
•  Straightforward communication, building trust 
by	doing	what	we	say	and	saying	what we	mean.
•  Collaborative in our work together, seeking out 
originality in ideas and valuing and encouraging 
diversity in our teams.

•  Purposeful delivery that balances performance 

with principles, to do what is right for our business 
and our customers.

Sustainability

Being a responsible and sustainable 
business remains at the heart of 
our agenda.

How we build a sustainable business
Our guiding principle of inclusive capitalism gives 
purpose and focus to the actions we take to create 
a more sustainable society.
•  Our journey to net zero.
•  Building a better society.
•  Growing our business responsibly.

See pages 42 to 51 for further details.

Our business model

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Our business model  
continued

1

2

3

What we do 

We aim to be leaders in retirement and 
protection solutions, investment management 
and capital investment. By taking a long-term 
approach to inclusive capitalism, our businesses 
work together to make a difference.

Institutional 
retirement

Retail  
retirement

The model shows how 
we operated in 2021. 
As of 1 January 2022, 
our retail retirement and 
insurance businesses 
have come together to 
form Legal & General 
Retail, which will focus 
on serving the savings, 
protection and retirement 
needs of our retail and 
workplace customers.

Customer 
service

Insurance 

Capital  
investment 

Provides 
asset 
management 
services and 
co-invests

Builds 
alternative 
assets

Investment 
management

Generates  
capital

Develops assets 
that support our 
pension liabilities

Generates 
income and 
provides capital

Provides asset 
management 
services 
and client 
relationships

Provides asset 
management  
services

Retirement
We provide guaranteed retirement 
income for corporate pension 
scheme members and we transform 
individuals’ pension savings so they 
can live a colourful retirement.

Capital investment
We use some of our customers’ 
pension assets, as well as the 
group’s shareholder capital, 
to make	long-term	investments	
in assets	such	as	clean	energy,	
housing	and	SME	finance.

Investment 
management
We are one of the world’s largest 
asset managers and a major 
global investor.

Insurance
We are the UK’s number one 
individual life insurance provider 
and provide level term insurance 
in the US.

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Inclusive capitalism in action

25 years ago, we opened 
our first office in Cardiff and 
2,000 of our people now live 
and work there. We have 
invested nearly £1.1 billion 
in the city to date. 

We have transformed Cardiff Central Square, 
which is now home to BBC Wales, the 
Government Hub and Cardiff University. 
Our institutional retirement business provided 
over £350 million in funding towards the 
Central Square project and the surrounding 
area. Development is now complete, and our 
investment management business will manage 
the assets on behalf of our retirement business.

13,000

318

homes created as 
part of our Build 
to Rent scheme

jobs to be created 
for local people

£1.1bn

of gross value added 
to the region

We are delivering at pace 
By 2023, the next stage of the development, 
Cardiff Interchange, will have restaurants, 
Build	to	Rent	homes	and	our	own	office.	We	are	
aiming	for	the	fit	out	to	be	net	zero	carbon	and	
we are	reducing	embodied	carbon	throughout	
the build. This has been developed with 
£200 million of funding from our capital 
investment business.

Actions, not words 
We are able to make a difference to our 
employees and communities, whilst 
generating value for our shareholders. It is 
the combination of our strengths and the 
synergies we achieve from our businesses 
working together that sets us apart.

Our business model

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Our business model  
continued

1

2

3

How we create value

The impact of our business is wide reaching 
and affects different stakeholder groups. 
We place great importance on considering 
the needs of all our stakeholders in our 
decision making, and actively encourage 
their participation.

Our stakeholders 
In shaping our strategy, we consider the impact 
on our stakeholder groups. Below, we provide 
just a few examples of how stakeholder 
engagement	influences	our	business	
and the associated growth drivers.

Growth drivers

1  Ageing demographics

2  Globalisation of asset 

markets

3  Investing in the real 

economy

4  Welfare reforms

5  Technological 
innovation

6  Addressing climate 

change

Shareholders

Customers

Employees

Our shareholders are institutional and 
individual investors. We provide them with 
honest and transparent information on our 
strategy and performance and we generate 
value through increases in our share price 
and a progressive dividend.

Our customers include those saving for 
retirement, recipients of retirement income, 
insurance policyholders, mortgage holders, 
residents of our housing and retirement 
villages, and investors. Listening to our 
customers helps us to better understand 
their needs and provide suitable and reliable 
products and services.

Our employees are based in the UK, US, 
Bermuda, Hong Kong, Japan, Ireland and 
other European countries. We continually 
invest in employee development and 
wellbeing to create an inclusive culture, 
engaging our people and empowering 
them to meet their goals.

1   2   3   4   5   6

1   4   5

3   5

We invest shareholder capital (targeting returns) 
and retirement capital (for long-term income 
streams	to	pay	retirement	benefits)	into	
environmentally friendly and socially useful 
investments, including alternative assets 
such as clean energy and affordable housing.

Our investment management business is 
continuing to expand into global markets, 
with international assets under management 
of £479 billion, up 23% on 2020.

We delivered earnings per share of 34.19 pence, 
up 27% on 2020.

We used our ‘Voice of Customer’ programme 
to engage with customers, requesting feedback 
at multiple points in the customer journey and 
using this to improve their experience.

Following research and engagement with 
employees, we announced our plan for the 
‘Future of Work’: a hybrid model blending home 
and	office	working,	enabled	by	technology.

We improved customer understanding of 
the products they hold with us, producing 
personalised videos which enable them to 
view	their	pension	benefit	statement.

We	launched	our	first	menopause	policy,	
which explains what the menopause is, 
symptoms to look out for and how our 
company will support employees before, 
during and after the menopause.

We engaged with third parties and charities 
to help train our people to have the right skills 
to assist vulnerable customers.

We celebrated our 25th year in Cardiff with 
progress on the Interchange building that will 
see 2,000 employees relocate from their 
existing	Cardiff	office	to	this	modern	space.

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Our contribution to the United Nations 
Sustainable Development Goals 
The United Nations Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) are focused on tackling the 
pressing social, economic and environmental 
issues that could threaten the livelihoods and 
wellbeing of people worldwide.

Contributing to the SDGs is integral to inclusive 
capitalism. It is important that our business 
priorities and strategy align with the goals and 
that we can demonstrate how the outcomes 
we	are	delivering	contribute	to	specific	SDGs.	
As our business grows and evolves, our 
approach to the SDGs will progress, too. 

The following SDGs contribute to many of our 
key stakeholder engagements as they are most 
heavily aligned to our growth drivers:

3.  Good health and 

wellbeing

8.  Decent work and 
economic growth 

4. Quality education 

9.  Industry, innovation 
and infrastructure 

5. Gender equality 

7.  Affordable and 
clean energy 

11.  Sustainable cities 
and communities 

13. Climate action 

Regulators

Communities

Suppliers

We are supervised by regulators across all the 
markets in which we operate. We recognise the 
value of strong regulation which ensures trust 
and confidence for customers and all 
stakeholders. We actively work with government 
and regulatory bodies to ensure regulation 
meets the needs of all stakeholders.

Our purpose is to improve the lives of our 
customers, build a better society for the 
long term, empower our employees and 
create value for our shareholders. This 
inspires us to use our assets in an 
economically and socially useful way 
to benefit everyone in our communities.

We have a broad range of suppliers, from 
service and material providers to IT and 
software suppliers. We strive to work with 
like-minded businesses who comply with 
our Code of Conduct. This includes operating 
ethically, taking environmental responsibility 
and treating workers with respect and dignity.

1   2   3   4   5   6

1   3   4   6

5   6

We engaged with the Prudential Regulation 
Authority (PRA) to ensure our regulatory 
approvals continue to keep pace with the 
expansion of our investment activities, ensuring 
we can continue to invest in the real economy.

We established a long-term partnership 
with University College London to create 
a multi-million pound charitable fund to 
address health inequalities.

We refreshed our Sustainable Sourcing 
Principles to help our buyers navigate the 
ethical and environmental considerations 
that are important to us, with climate change 
as one of our core principles.

As a result of our engagement with the Financial 
Conduct Authority (FCA) on climate-related 
financial	disclosures	and	product	labels,	LGIM	
will be represented at the FCA’s Disclosures 
and Labels Advisory Group and will help to 
develop the new policy.

We partnered with National Trading 
Standards as part of their ‘Friends Against 
Scams’ initiative which aims to protect people 
from being victims of this type of fraud.

We continued to balance the need to address 
the UK’s housing shortage with the need to 
tackle climate change by developing energy 
efficient	homes	across	our	housebuilding	
businesses.

Following engagement with key stakeholders, 
our purchase order system continues to be 
utilised	to	drive	payment	efficiencies	and	cost	
controls,	and	improve	efficiency	for	all.

We worked with the Charities Aid Foundation’s 
social enterprise arm, awarding £300,000 in 
blended funding to social enterprises 
throughout Wales.

We are building more supplier diversity into our 
supply chain to create an equal marketplace, 
where opportunities are open to all.

Our business model

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Climate:  
Inaction is  
not an option

Invest
•  We are making progress 

towards reducing our group’s 
investment portfolio greenhouse 
gas emissions intensity by 50% 
by 2030 and are targeting a net 
zero asset portfolio by 2050.
•  We supported Pod Point, an 

electric vehicle charging company, 
in scaling up at pace, having 
completed its initial public 
offering in November 2021.

 Taking action

 for a better

world

Backed by science
We will set science-based targets 
by the end of 2022 and will publish 
them in 2023. This is critical to 
ensure that our plan is credible, 
achievable and backed by science.

Influence
•  Our investment management business 

(LGIM)’s CEO, Michelle Scrimgeour, is the 
co-chair of the COP26 Business Leaders 
Group, an important forum focused on 
creating business and sector breakthroughs 
in how we deliver net zero.

•  We use LGIM’s Climate Impact Pledge to 
publicly celebrate companies’ successes, 
but also take voting and investment actions 
against companies falling behind, ensuring 
our engagement has meaningful 
consequences.

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Addressing the climate 
crisis is embedded in our 
business operations and 
in how we invest our assets. 
We use our scale to influence 
and support the transition 
to a low-carbon economy.”

Simon Gadd
Group Climate Change Director

The road from COP26
The Glasgow Climate Pact may 
narrow the gap between the 
current warming trajectory and 
limiting the rise in global 
temperatures to 1.5°C, so 
long as delivery matches 
commitments. We will remain 
at the forefront of greening 
finance	and	financing	green.	 

See our climate report: group.
legalandgeneral.com/reports for 
our full list of commitments and 
our journey to net zero

To avoid the most extreme impacts
of a changing climate, we must collectively 
limit global temperature rises to 1.5°C. 
Addressing climate change is one of our 
strategic priorities.

Operate 
•  From 2030, our operational 
footprint	(occupied	offices	
and business travel) will operate 
with net zero carbon emissions.
•  CALA, our largest housebuilding 
business, committed to achieve 
industry-recognised best-practice 
‘2030’ targets for embodied carbon 
in all new homes in the UK by 2025, 
having already met this target 
in Scotland.

>800

modular homes in the pipeline, 
which are built to achieve 
Energy Performance 
Certificate	(EPC)	‘A’	rating	

Climate: inaction is not an option

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Our people

 Doing things 
differently

Mike has worked with us for over 
30 years and is home-based. He 
likes to do things differently and 
this year his team held a meeting 
from the top of Pen y Fan. 

Over three and a half 
hours, we got to know 
each other more than in 
the previous three years 
of working together.”

Mike Pritchard
Commercial Manager  
(Distribution Quality	and	Retention)

(Pictured: Mike Pritchard, Rhian Stacey, 
Lynne Cunningham and Hannah Bannister)

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Every day the work we do 
is shaped by our people. 
Our business succeeds 
because of their diverse 
skills and experiences and 
is underpinned by our 
behaviours, which inspire 
us to act responsibly towards 
our customers and everyone 
whose lives we touch. 
We are straightforward, 
collaborative and 
purposeful.

We prioritise the welfare of our employees, 
who in turn support the millions of people who 
rely on us. Our success relies on us collaborating 
across the business, sharing ideas, and making 
things happen at pace. We have demonstrated 
that we can do this both remotely and when we 
are in the same building. We are designing 
a future of work that makes a balanced use of 
office	and	remote	working,	where	space	is	used	
in purposeful and innovative ways and where 
hybrid working is the norm.

Our employees have shown resilience and 
determination in the face of changes to ways 
of working. They have continued to support 
our customers, the communities we serve, 
and each other. Here are some of our stories…

2,000 
employees

Will benefit from our new office 
in Cardiff’s Interchange. We are 
creating the workplace of the future.

How many chances do you 
get to save someone’s life?”

Jenny Reeve
Corporate Reporting Lead

Jenny realised she could make 
a difference when she found out 
only 2% of the UK’s population are 
on the stem cell register. It was 
a shock when she was identified 
as a match, but after two full days 
in hospital and six days of paid 
leave, Jenny has given a stranger 
a second chance at life. 

I am unapologetically 
myself.”

Simone Perkins
Data Protection Oversight Manager

Simone participated in our reverse 
mentoring programme, providing 
insight to one of our finance 
directors on her experience at work 
as someone from a minority ethnic 
background.

Diversity hero 

Deon is Head of Marketing Operations 
at LGIM and also co-founder of 
InterInvest, a network of investment 
professionals driving LGBT+ inclusion 
in the asset management and savings 
industry. He is co-chair of our L&GBT+ 
allies employee network and co-chair 
of the Diversity Project’s LGBT+ group 
workstream. Deon is a visible role model 
and has won a number of awards 
including “Diversity Hero” at the 2021 
British LGBT Awards.

We all have a key role to 
play in driving change. 
Through fostering a 
culture of inclusion 
and diversity we can 
make a difference.”

Deon Pillay
Head of Marketing Operations

Our people

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Technological 
innovation

Cloud first
Our retirement business has 
brought our huge wealth of data 
together on one cloud-based 
platform. This helps us to optimise 
processes, provide better pricing 
and make better decisions. 

Driving inclusivity 

through digital
transformation

Disrupting underwriting
theidol.com	is	a	fintech	subsidiary	
of our insurance business. It has 
developed a ‘no-code’ platform, 
Asanto, to make it easier for 
non-developers to build apps 
without coding.

We have partnered with a US 
technology business to modernise 
the US protection market, which has 
a $12 trillion insurance coverage 
gap and we are automating 
underwriting to make it easier and 
quicker for people to purchase the 
life insurance cover they need.

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£

Reframing real estate
Our Real Assets business launched 
a digital business-to-business 
platform, Vizta, to provide real-time 
property and portfolio management 
to property occupiers.

Financing the future
Through	our	alternative	finance	
and our venture capital 
platforms, we are continuing 
to support growth businesses, 
delivering enhanced returns 
while boosting job creation, 
innovation, and science and 
technology advancements. 

Technological innovation is one of 
our six growth drivers. From building 
the data centres that keep businesses 
connected to supporting our customers, 
we are investing in technology to build 
a better future for everyone.

Vizta is a game changer that 
will transform the way we 
engage with our occupiers.”

Bill Hughes
Head of LGIM Real Assets

100%

Kao’s 15-acre campus will be 
powered by 100% renewable 
energy, once fully operational

Supercharging science
Data centres are essential 
IT infrastructure that support 
businesses and consumers. 
We have invested in Kao Data 
which hosts data for the 
London marketplace and 
research institutes in the 
innovation corridor between 
London and Cambridge.

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Chief Financial 
Officer’s Q&A

Our business is closely 
aligned to long-term 
growth drivers.

You have delivered an excellent set of results 
in 2021 – what were the highlights?
2021 was a strong year for us, despite Covid-19 
continuing to adversely impact society. 
Excluding the one-off 2020 mortality reserve 
release of £177 million (pre tax), we grew 
adjusted	operating	profit	by	11%	to	£2.3	billion¹.	
Profit	for	the	year	surpassed	£2	billion	for	the	
first	time,	resulting	in	earnings	per	share	(EPS)	
of 34.19 pence, up 27% on 2020.

We again delivered a strong IFRS return on 
equity of 20.5% and £1.6 billion of Solvency II 
operational surplus generation from our growing 
back book.

Across	our	diversified	business	model,	we	
benefited	from	the	post	pandemic	economic	
recovery and easing of restrictions. Our 
institutional retirement division (LGRI) delivered 
over	£1	billion	of	adjusted	operating	profit	for	
the	third	year	in	a	row,	reflecting	the	scale	of	
the business, in addition to robust new business 
volumes and margins. 

Our capital investment division (LGC), which 
contributed c.20% of the group’s earnings, 
delivered	adjusted	operating	profit	of	
£461	million,	up	68%	on	2020,	benefiting	from	
a rebound in the UK housing market and strong 
valuation growth of investments within the 
alternative asset portfolio.

How are you performing against 
your ambitions?
We are making good progress against our 
five-year	(2020	–	2024)	ambitions	which	
we set out at our capital markets event in 
November 2020. 

Against	cumulative	ambitions	of	£8	–	£9	billion	
respectively, cash generation (net release from 
operations) stands at £3.2 billion and capital 
generation (Solvency II operational surplus 
generation) stands at £3.1 billion at the end 
of 2021. We have seen growth of 12% in both 
cash and capital generation over 2021 from 
continuing operations.

Against cumulative dividend ambitions of 
£5.6	–	£5.9	billion	over	the	period,	cumulative	
dividends declared stand at £2.1 billion at the 
end	of	2021,	with	the	2021	interim	and	final	
dividend growing by 5%. 

We are also performing well against our ambition 
for Solvency II net surplus generation (which 
includes setting up capital for new business) 
to cumulatively exceed dividends paid over 
2020	–	2024,	with	over	£0.3	billion	surplus	
accrued to the end of 2021. 

We	remain	confident	in	achieving	these	ambitions,	
with our businesses closely aligned to long-term 
growth drivers, which will persist regardless of 
any short- or medium-term volatility.

Jeff Davies
Chief	Financial	Officer

>£2bn

Profit	for	the	year	surpassed	
£2	billion	for	the	first	time

34.19p

Earnings per share

1. 

 One-off mortality reserve release for 2020 relates to an update in the longevity trend assumption from adjusted CMI 2017 to adjusted CMI 2018.

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Over the period 2020 – 2024, 
our cumulative ambition is for:
•  cash and capital generation to 
significantly	exceed	dividends
•  earnings per share to grow faster 

than dividends

•  net surplus generation (including 
new business strain) to exceed 
dividends.

£8 – £9bn

cash generation 
(progress to date: £3.2 billion)

£8 – £9bn

capital generation
(progress to date: £3.1 billion)

£5.6 – £5.9bn

dividends
(progress to date: £2.1 billion)

We are making good 
progress against our 
five year (2020 – 2024) 
ambitions.”

What is the role of capital investment? 
Over 2021, our capital investment division, LGC, 
has continued to evolve and mature. Since 
inception, our alternative asset portfolio net 
asset value (NAV) has grown to £3.4 billion, with 
our total portfolio, including traded and treasury, 
at £8.6 billion at the end of 2021. 

The capital investment division has three 
objectives: 1) to deliver shareholder returns; 2) to 
create assets for our annuity portfolio and third 
parties; and 3) to secure lasting value for society. 

The division aims to deliver on these objectives 
through	four	specific	asset	classes:	1)	specialist	
commercial real estate (including digital 
infrastructure); 2) multi-tenure housing; 3) clean 
energy;	and	4)	SME	finance.

2021 has seen four notable proof-point 
transactions which demonstrate our ability 
to create and realise value for shareholders: the 
sale of MediaCity (with a continuing investment 
in Manchester via a £1.5 billion SciTech joint 
venture with the university); the formation of 
a £500 million later living joint venture with 
Natwest Group Pension Scheme; the initial 
public offering of Pod Point; and the sale of 
Current Health. Together, these investments 
generated returns of 1.6 times the initial 
investment. 

At our capital markets event in October 2021, 
we restated our ambitions for LGC. By the end 
of 2025, we aim to grow our alternative assets 
to	£5	billion,	and	to	deliver	a	10	–	12%	return.	
In total, our ambition is for LGC to deliver 
£600	–	£700	million	of	annual	adjusted	operating	
profit	by	2025.	Over	the	same	period,	we	have	
also set an ambitious target to grow third-party 
capital	to	£25	–	£30	billion.	We	see	our	capital	
investment division as a source of competitive 
advantage and a key driver of future growth for 
the group.

How are you preparing for IFRS 17?
IFRS 17 is a new accounting standard which 
will come into effect from 1 January 2023. The 
standard will impact insurance contracts, which 
in our case represents business written through 
our retirement and insurance divisions. Our 
investment management and capital investment 
divisions are unaffected. It is worth highlighting 
that the accounting standard only impacts the 
timing	of	profit	recognition	over	the	lifetime	
of	the	contract	–	the	cash	emergence	and	
economics of the contract remain the same.

Our	IFRS	17	project	represents	a	significant	
investment for the business that will deliver new 
end-to-end	finance	processes,	driving	efficiencies	
as well as meeting the requirements of the new 
standard. We will continue to assess the 
quantitative impact of the regime over 2022, 
with	the	first	comparative	results	expected	in	
early 2023. 

How does the business consider ESG 
investments in balancing shareholder 
returns and doing the right thing?
We consider ESG through three lenses: 1) how 
we invest our proprietary assets; 2) how we 
influence	as	one	of	the	world’s	largest	asset	
managers; and 3) how our businesses operate.

We are committed to decarbonising our balance 
sheet to align with the Paris Agreement’s 
objective of limiting global warming to 1.5°C 
and have made steady progress by reducing 
the carbon intensity of the group balance sheet 
by 17.0% compared to 2020. We will validate 
our commitments through setting science-
based targets. Our climate report, prepared in 
line with recommendations by the Task Force 
on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), 
provides more detail on our commitments.

In respect of how we invest our proprietary 
assets, ESG assessment forms an integral part 
of our investment process and, of course, has 
been central to our mission to deliver inclusive 
capitalism. 

In terms of assets sourced for our £89.9 billion 
annuity portfolio, we have seen increased 
competition for ESG assets in the open market, 
especially in the clean energy sector. Despite 
this, we have deployed £1.4 billion in a range 
of clean energy investments, including solar 
and offshore wind, and a further £8.1 billion in 
social infrastructure such as affordable housing, 
student accommodation and healthcare, whilst 
delivering above our investment return hurdles. 

We are also able to utilise LGC’s strong asset 
origination capabilities. LGC provides us with 
ample opportunities to originate ESG-friendly 
assets that also deliver attractive returns. For 
example, we have deployed growth equity into 
new innovative clean technology such as Pod 
Point and Kensa Group, enabling these businesses 
to scale up at pace. Our investments in urban 
regeneration, affordable homes and build to 
rent	accommodation	provide	significant	societal	
benefit,	whilst	also	benefiting	our	retirement	
division and our policyholders. ESG remains 
a key underpin in our investment process.

Chief	Financial	Officer’s	Q&A

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

25

Climate report
Our 2021 climate report is available 
on our group website. See: group.
legalandgeneral.com/reports

Key performance 
indicators (KPIs)

We consider that the measures 
presented on these pages are 
KPIs, some of which are also 
used for executive remuneration 
as explained below.

We again delivered 
a strong IFRS return 
on equity of 20.5%, 
and £1.6 billion of 
Solvency II operational 
surplus generation from 
our growing back book.”

Jeff Davies
Chief	Financial	Officer

In previous years, the Solvency II capital 
position was shown on a ‘shareholder 
view’, where the contribution from 
the	final	salary	pension	schemes	
was excluded from the group position. 
The impact of excluding the contribution 
has become smaller and so the results 
below	include	the	impact	of	the	final	
salary pension schemes. 

Purpose: To measure the profit 
before tax of the group.

Profit	before	tax	has	increased	by	76%	
to £2,632 million largely as a result 
of a positive investment variance of 
£341 million (2020: £(691) million).

Purpose: To show how efficiently we 
are using our financial resources to 
generate a return for shareholders.

The	return	on	equity	of	20.5%	reflects	
a strong performance on operational 
earnings and a positive investment 
variance.

Guide to symbols used in these 
financial results

 	Alternative	performance	measure	

(APM), see page 240 for 
definitions

 	Key	measure	in	the	remuneration	
of executives, see pages 100 and 
101	for	definitions

26

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Strategic report

Profit before tax £m2,0612,1292,1562,6321,49920172018201920202021Return on equity (ROE) %17.320.520.422.725.620172018201920202021Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Purpose: To illustrate the profitability 
associated with each share owned by 
our investors.

Purpose: To show the level of 
distribution to shareholders.

Purpose: To demonstrate the surplus 
capital position over the Solvency 
Capital Requirement. 

Purpose: To demonstrate the balance 
sheet strength of the group.

EPS increased by 7.19 pence to 
34.19 pence. Excluding the one-off 2020 
mortality reserve release of £153 million 
and the £271 million gain on the Mature 
Savings disposal in 2020, EPS increased 
by 72% on 2020 (19.84 pence).

The Board has recommended to 
grow	our	final	dividend	by	5%	
to 13.27 pence. The cost of the full 
year dividend is £1,099 million (2020: 
£1,048 million) and is covered by net 
release from operations 1.5 times. 
Our stated ambition is for low to mid 
single digit growth in dividends.

The group’s capital position is strong, 
with a Solvency II surplus of £8.2 billion 
(2020: £7.4 billion) over its Solvency 
Capital Requirement.

The Solvency II coverage ratio increased 
to 187% in 2021 (2020: 175%) on a 
‘proforma’ basis. The coverage ratio has 
increased over the year primarily due to 
rising interest rates and equity returns. 

Total shareholder return %

As at 31 December 2021
500%

400%

300%

200%

100%

0%

-100%

Dec 11 Dec 12 Dec 13 Dec 14

Dec 15

Dec 16

Dec 17 Dec 18 Dec 19 Dec 20 Dec 21

Legal & General

FTSE 100 

FTSE 350 Life 

22%

(2020: -7%)

Purpose: To measure the total return 
to shareholders, including dividends 
and share price movements, over time.

Our one year total shareholder return 
(TSR) of 22% outperformed both the 
FTSE 100 index (16%) and FTSE 350 Life 
index (9%). Our performance over a 
three year period of 60% also compares 
favourably against both indices (FTSE 
100: 23%, FTSE 350 Life: 30%). The chart 
indicates the TSR over the last 10 years. 

Key performance indicators (KPIs)

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

27

Full year dividend p17.5718.4517.5716.4215.3520172018201920202021Earnings per share p27.0034.1930.9230.7931.8720172018201920202021Solvency II surplus £bn(proforma basis, unaudited)8.26.96.97.47.320172018201920202021Solvency II coverage %(proforma basis, unaudited)18718118117517920182017201920202021Tax review

Our approach to tax 
supports our purpose 
of improving lives through 
inclusive capitalism.”

Our approach to tax supports our purpose 
of improving lives through inclusive 
capitalism. We aim for our tax affairs to be 
sustainable in the long term. This relies on 
an approach that is well-governed, 
transparent, and fair to our customers, 
shareholders and the public. 

You can read more about our tax strategy 
and governance and what taxes we pay in 
our tax supplement, which is approved by 
the Board and can be found here: group.
legalandgeneral.com/reports

Our 2021 tax position
The effective tax rate for the year of 17.9% is 
higher than in 2020 (12.1%). The increase in rate 
is mainly due to the increase in the UK rate to 
25% from 1 April 2023, which has resulted in 
a revaluation of our UK deferred tax balances 
from	19%	to	25%.	Our	tax	rate	is	also	influenced	
by	the	different	tax	rates	that	apply	to	profits	
earned outside of the UK.

The tax environment
The tax environment is always dynamic, 
more than ever in the wake of recent events. 
Governments around the world will be looking 
for ways to pay for the exceptional measures 
brought in because of Covid-19. The additional 
layers of taxes and legislation which are 
implemented make managing the tax affairs 
of large corporates ever more complex, while 
governments, investors and other stakeholders 
rightly continue to have high expectations of 
compliance, risk management and transparency. 
We will continue to engage with all our stakeholders 
and supplement our disclosures on tax where 
we believe these will add value.

In 2021, we have seen new UK tax-raising measures, 
such as the corporate tax rate increase to 25%, 
the 1.25% social care levy, and a new 4% residential 
property developers tax which will impact our 
house building businesses.

Looking ahead, it seems likely that the global 
focus on climate change will result in changes 
to how businesses pay tax. While ‘green’ taxes 
make up a modest proportion of tax revenue at 
present, such taxes may well become evermore 
prevalent as the world aims to limit the extent 
and impact of climate change.

Grace Stevens
Chief	Tax	Officer

It is vital that new tax measures are properly 
considered in the context of their aims, simplicity, 
existing tax measures and compliance burden 
to manage the cumulative impact effectively 
and	efficiently	for	taxpayers,	tax	authorities	
and wider society.

Also in 2021, the Organisation for Economic 
Co-operation and Development (OECD) agreed 
a landmark deal to implement a global minimum 
tax rate, alongside a tax on digital services based 
on the end user location. Model rules for the 
global minimum tax rate were published in 
December 2021, with the intention that these 
should be effective from 2023. This is an 
ambitious target for introducing a new global 
tax	regime	and	significant	effort	is	required	for	
multi-national groups to achieve compliance 
with the new rules.

As our businesses expand internationally, 
the group will continue to pay more tax overseas 
and our compliance obligations will increase. 
This creates new tax risks and complexity for 
each new territory we enter. We continue to 
manage these risks and complexities across 
all the territories in which we operate, to ensure 
we pay the right tax, at the right time, in the right 
place, consistent with our tax strategy. Further 
detail	on	our	four	main	risk	areas	–	and	how	
we	manage	those	risks	–	can	be	found	in	our	
tax supplement.

Tax supplement
Our tax supplement is available 
on our group website. See: group.
legalandgeneral.com/reports

28

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Strategic report

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

£1,655m

In 2021, our total tax contribution was 
£1,655 million (2020: £1,629 million) 
of which 94% (2020: 96%) arose in 
our UK businesses and 6% (2020: 4%) 
in our overseas businesses.

Total tax contribution
Our total tax contribution is the 
amount	of	tax	that	Legal	&	General	
pays together with the amount of 
tax that we collect on behalf of our 
employees, suppliers, customers 
and policyholders. We paid £835 
million (2020: £818 million) of tax 
and collected £820 million (2020: 
£811 million).

Total tax contribution in 2021

Total taxes paid

Total taxes collected

£835m

£820m

£368m Profit taxes

£355m UK PAYE deducted from policyholders

£188m Withholding taxes suffered in the UK

£88m UK property and other taxes

£66m UK irrecoverable VAT and premium taxes

£77m UK payroll taxes

£8m Overseas profit taxes

£40m Other overseas taxes

£11m UK property and other taxes

£196m UK VAT and premium tax

£212m UK payroll taxes

£46m Overseas taxes

Our total tax contribution over the last six years
The table below shows our total taxes paid and collected over the past six years. For a breakdown 
of how we calculate these numbers, please refer to our tax supplement. 

Total tax contribution £m
1,800

1,600

1,400

1,200

1000

800

600

400

200

538

565

695

700

590

560

782

781

811

820

818

835

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Total taxes paid

Total taxes collected

Tax review

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

29

Business review

In line with our purpose of 
inclusive capitalism, we are 
innovating and investing to 
make a difference.

57

pension risk transfer 
transactions globally

£957m

individual annuity sales

£290bn

assets managed for our clients 
are linked to ESG

4,364

new homes completed

£279m

paid out in Covid-19-related claims

2021 in review
In 2021 our businesses delivered long-term, 
diversified	growth	across	the	group.	

Our retirement businesses continued to apply 
disciplined	pricing	to	source	stable	cash	flows.	
Our investment management business 
demonstrated stable growth and our capital 
investment business grew at pace as the economy 
recovered from Covid-19, and as underlying 
investments matured. Our insurance business 
continued to apply a data-driven approach to 
optimise the value add of new business in the 
context of continued high claims experience, 
especially in the US. 

As of 1 January 2022, our two retail businesses 
(retail retirement and insurance) have come 
together	to	form	Legal	&	General	Retail.	Under	
the leadership of Bernie Hickman, this division 
will focus on serving the savings, protection 
and retirement needs of our retail and workplace 
customers allowing us to take a joined-up 
approach to our customers, data and technology. 

Capital markets event
For full details of our external ambitions, 
see our capital markets event: group.
legalandgeneral.com/CME

30

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Strategic report

Outlook
Our institutional retirement business is the only 
player in the direct pension risk transfer (PRT) 
market writing business in the UK and US, while 
also innovating our product offering with Assured 
Payment Policies (APPs). APPs allow companies 
to begin their de-risking journey with a pathway 
to buy-in or buy-out at a future date. Our ambition 
is to write £40 to £50 billion of new UK PRT and 
$10 billion of international PRT between 2020 
and 2025. By the end of 2021, we had already 
written £14 billion and approaching $3 billion 
respectively. 

The new retail division’s ambition is to be the 
UK’s leading insurance, savings and retirement 
brand, enabling all our customers to have 
a secure retirement whilst generating long 
duration	assets	and	profits	for	the	group	and,	
over time, to expand internationally. Together, 
we	can	protect	people	from	financial	uncertainty	
throughout their lives and help to secure the 
retirement they deserve. 

The three pillars of our investment management 
business’s strategy are: modernise, diversify and 
internationalise. This positions us to grow our 
profits,	expand	our	international	presence,	diversify	
by client, channel and geography, and to maintain 
a cost:income ratio in the high 50% range. 

The success of our capital investment business 
in creating and scaling alternative asset capabilities 
has resulted in a number of realisations 
generating high returns on our initial investments. 
As communicated at the capital markets event 
in October 2021, our ambition is to build our 
diversified	alternative	assets	under	management	
to c.£5 billion by 2025, with a blended portfolio 
return	target	of	10%	–	12%.	We	plan	to	increase	
our	third-party	capital	to	£25	–	£30	billion	(2021:	
£12.3 billion) to generate additional fees for 
the business. 

Institutional 
retirement

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

CEO introduction
2021 has been another prosperous year and 
has built upon the successes of 2020 with 
45 transactions in the UK worth £6.2 billion 
and 11 transactions in the US for $1.1 billion 
(£789 million). 

Our internal asset sourcing capabilities, as 
well as our relationships with our investment 
management and capital investment 
businesses, mean that we are well positioned 
to meet increasing levels of demand for 
de-risking solutions.

As the global economy continues its recovery, 
we are in a strong position as a leading global 
business that helps defined benefit (DB) 
pension schemes and their sponsors to secure 
their members’ retirement income. We are the 
UK’s longest serving and largest pension risk 
transfer (PRT) provider with successful 
positions in the US and internationally.

As of 1 January 2022, Andrew Kail has taken 
over from Laura Mason as CEO.

Growth drivers
•  Ageing demographics.
• 
•  Addressing climate change.

Investing in the real economy.

Laura Mason
Chief	Executive	Officer,
Legal	&	General	Retirement	Institutional

Response to Covid-19
Covid-19 has highlighted the need for scheme 
administrators to be able to react and adapt 
to change quickly. Our customer service is 
provided in-house in the UK, which means that 
we can make decisions and implement them 
rapidly. This is evidenced by the fact that we 
complete 97% of member enquiries within 
five	working	days.	

The development of digital solutions including 
over the phone settlements and the option to sign 
documentation electronically allows us to 
continue to offer our services despite the challenges 
presented by the working from home environment.

2021 key activities
In 2021 we have brought together our expertise 
in investment management, asset sourcing, 
mortality trends and longevity risk. We have 
remained disciplined in the deployment of our 
capital, selecting opportunities that allow 
us to invest in high credit quality assets, 
matching our long-term liabilities and meeting 
our target returns.

CCA Global Standard Accreditation
Our retirement business provides income and 
security in retirement to more than half a million 
customers and has had a Net Promoter Score 

(NPS) of over 70 for four years, which is widely 
regarded as being at a ‘world class’ level.

Our efforts have been recognised after we 
successfully attained the Customer Contact 
Association (CCA) Global Standard Accreditation 
for 2022, marking the third consecutive year that 
we have received this accreditation.

New business
In 2021 we secured premiums of £7.2 billion 
across the UK, US and internationally compared 
to £8.8 billion in 2020. In a challenging economic 
environment we focused on commercially 
attractive opportunities and maintaining pricing 
discipline, whilst sustaining our historic market 
share	of	20%	–	25%	in	the	UK.	

Opportunities for small- and mid-sized 
pension schemes
72% of UK pension schemes have assets of less 
than £100 million. Within such a vast market it is 
important that we provide opportunities for 
small- and medium-sized pension schemes. 
Last year we completed 31 transactions which 
were below £100 million each, totalling 
£900	million	in	premiums.	This	is	a	significant	
increase of transaction volume from 2019, when 
we launched our streamlined small scheme 
proposition. 

Two buy-ins worth c.£800 million with TUI
We agreed two PRT transactions with the TUI 
Group UK Pension Trust. The two transactions 
include a £610 million partial buy-in and a 
£184 million full buy-in for the scheme. 
These	transactions	mark	the	scheme’s	first	
PRT transactions with us and cover two of 
the three pension sections within the scheme.

£310 million buy-in with Reuters 
Supplementary Pension Scheme
Driving innovation, we agreed a £310 million 
full-scheme buy-in transaction with the 
Reuters Supplementary Pension Scheme. 
The transaction involved the assessment and 
insurance	of	a	complex	multi-currency	benefit	
structure	and	is	the	scheme’s	first	transaction	
with us. This demonstrates how innovation in 
the market can cater to each pension scheme’s 
specific	needs.

£650 million buy-in with Mitchells & Butlers 
Executive Pension Plan
In December 2021 we agreed a £650 million 
buy-in	with	Mitchells	&	Butlers	Executive	
Pension Plan. The plan is an existing client, with 
our investment management business providing 
management	of	the	Plan’s	Defined	Contribution	
(DC) pension scheme assets. 

Institutional retirement 
sales £bn

11.4

8.8

7.2

£7.2bn

Institutional retirement achieved strong 
sales of £7.2 billion. We transacted 
on 57 deals globally, achieving 
£6.2 billion in premiums in the UK, whilst 
growing our presence in the US market, 
writing premiums of £789 million. 
Our reinsurance hub also wrote £147 
million of premiums. Premiums shown 
exclude longevity insurance.

Net promoter score

+73

+72

+73

+73

Net Promoter Score (NPS) measures 
customer experience and the average 
NPS	in	the	financial	services	industry	
is around +35. Over the past three years 
our NPS has consistently remained 
above +70 which is widely regarded as 
a world-class level of service. We have 
maintained this while shifting to hybrid 
working, demonstrating how we have 
continued to support our customers.

2019

2020

2021

2019

2020

2021

Institutional retirement

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

31

Institutional retirement 
continued

APP conversion

In 2021 we announced the market’s 
first conversion of an APP to a 
buy-in; a £63 million transaction 
agreed with AIB Group UK Pension 
Scheme, converting c.20% of the 
original APP transaction completed 
in 2019. As the pension scheme’s 
market risk is covered by the APP, 
volatility between the assets and 
buy-in pricing is significantly 
reduced. This gives the pension 
scheme far more certainty on the 
timing and cost of reaching their 
goal of full risk removal. 

This approach demonstrates the value that can 
be realised by engaging with insurers at an early 
stage and working with them to achieve a clearly 
defined	pricing	target.	

Assured Payment Policies (APP)
We have continued to drive innovation in the 
PRT market with APPs which allow companies 
to begin their de-risking journey with a pathway 
to buy-in or buy-out at a future date.

In 2021 we completed our largest ever APP, 
a	£925	million	transaction	for	Legal	&	General’s	
Group UK Pension and Assurance Fund. 
In addition, we partially converted two APPs 
into buy-ins.

International pension de-risking
Despite a more competitive market in the US, 
we delivered US new business volumes of 
$1,095 million (£789 million). Our global 
reinsurance hub in Bermuda provides our 
business	with	regulatory	capital	flexibility.	
This enables us to write more PRT business 
in	a	capital-efficient	way.

agreement. We then tailor each transaction 
to our clients’ needs. This process enables 
smoother transactions for additional tranches 
with the same client. 

Our close relationship with our investment 
management business puts us in a strong 
position to support pension schemes at any 
stage of their lifecycle. We secured more than 
£1.5 billion of retirement income through umbrella 
contracts in 2021, including the transactions below.

£760 million buy-in with Sanofi Pensions
We	signed	a	£760	million	buy-in	with	Sanofi	
Pension	Scheme	securing	the	benefits	of	c.2,900	
retirees.	This	marked	the	scheme’s	first	PRT	
transaction with us after being a long-term asset 
management client. This agreement is another 
great example of our ability to support schemes 
at all stages of their journey.

£130 million buy-in with QinetiQ 
Pension Scheme
We	signed	a	£130	million	buy-in	with	QinetiQ	
Pension	Scheme	covering	the	pension	benefits	
for over 390 new retirees following a previous 
pensioner buy-in in April 2019. This agreement’s 
umbrella contract will enable future transactions 
with us to be completed quickly and easily 
on the same pre-agreed terms. 

The power of pensions
Our retirement businesses generate stable cash 
flows	from	pensioners	that	we	can	invest	to	
benefit	wider	society	and	younger	generations.	
We seek out opportunities to invest capital in an 
environmentally friendly and socially useful way. 
We are passionate about the projects we 
undertake, believing in their transformative 
power to stimulate positive change in the world.

US PRT deals
We wrote a $355 million (£262 million) PRT 
transaction with Trinity Industries, Inc. The deal 
secures	the	benefits	of	more	than	7,500	
participants.	Our	financial	strength,	combined	
with a steadfast commitment to delivering 
outstanding service, are intended to provide 
peace of mind to the participants of Trinity’s 
pension plan. 

Other international PRT deals
Through	Legal	&	General	Reinsurance	we	wrote	
a new CAD$250 million Canadian PRT 
transaction. The deal was written on a quota 
share basis with a new partner, an established 
Canadian PRT insurer. This marks our second 
external PRT transaction in Canada and is a 
strong indication that our strategy of providing 
reinsurance through a competitive proposition 
has positioned us well for success in the 
Canadian PRT market.

We anticipate further global deals as 
international markets continue to grow.

Relationships 
We want to build long-lasting and strong 
relationships with our clients. We facilitate this 
through umbrella contracts which set out key 
transactional terms in a master framework 

Protecting people’s pensions
We announced a £150 million Pension 
Protection Fund (PPF) transaction with the 
Mowlem (1993) Pension Scheme, following the 
liquidation of its sponsor. This transaction will 
enable	the	Trustee	to	secure	benefits	with	us	
that are greater than those which would have 
been provided by the Pension Protection Fund. 

Adjusted operating
profit £m

1,331

1,216

1,154

2019

2020

2021

£1,154m

Institutional retirement achieved a 
strong	adjusted	operating	profit	of	
£1,154 million driven by the performance 
of our annuity portfolio and by routine 
assumption	updates.	The	figures	shown	
include releases associated with changes 
to future mortality improvements (2021 
release: £nil, 2020 release: £102 million).

Understanding the risks 
Taking on the responsibility for pension 
scheme liabilities and providing income in 
retirement exposes us to the risk that people 
may live longer than we have anticipated, or 
that we experience defaults in the investments 
backing our obligations. We remain vigilant 
in our pricing to the long-term trends in 
longevity and use reinsurance to manage 
selected risks. Working with our investment 
management business’ credit and property 
experts, we seek to continuously assess 
default risks in our investment portfolio, 
managing exposures to sectors that may 
be at risk in the prevailing economic 
environment and, where appropriate, 
trading out positions.

32

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Strategic report

We are well-positioned 
to meet increasing levels 
of demand for de-risking 
solutions.”

Laura Mason
Chief	Executive	Officer,
Legal	&	General	Retirement	
Institutional

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

This transaction builds on our track record of 
working with schemes in PPF to bring peace of 
mind	to	the	members	through	having	their	benefits	
secured. We used additional recoveries received 
through the sponsor’s insolvency proceedings, 
along with the innovative transaction structure 
that we agreed as part of the original transaction, 
to	provide	additional	benefits	to	plan	members.	

Contribution to society
Building on the efforts we made in 2020, 
we have continued to be socially mindful. 
Lighthouse Connect, an education-focused fund 
launched by us, is on track to deliver more than 
230 laptops to Bermuda’s students this 
academic year. Lighthouse Connect addresses 
the increased need for digital learning tools 
during Covid-19, while also contributing to the 
long-term learning of Bermuda’s students. 

Build to Rent
We believe it is more important than ever that 
we deliver the houses that our society needs 
to address structural shortages across every 
dimension of the market. 

Legal	&	General’s	Build	to	Rent	(BTR)	urban	
platform launched in 2015 and now has 20 
schemes in operation or development across 
the UK and has delivered 7,000 homes.

We partner with our capital investment business 
to invest in housing developments. Our BTR and 
Suburban Build to Rent (SBTR) businesses are a 
great example of how we invest pension scheme 
assets to solve our society’s needs.

The SBTR business develops large-scale ‘single 
family’ rental communities in suburban locations 
across the UK. SBTR will partner with housebuilders 
to bring forward large-scale sites, as well as 
undertake a direct delivery programme to deliver 
1,000 homes each year by 2024. The SBTR 
housing schemes will be community focused 
and service-led, offering residents choice, 
security	of	tenure	and	flexibility.

Our journey to net zero
We have one of the largest retirement annuity 
books in the UK and we recognise that our scale 
brings a responsibility to act decisively on 
matters such as climate change. We strongly 
support the ‘Paris’ Agreement’s aim of limiting 
global warming to 1.5°C and have made the 
following commitments starting from a 2019 
baseline: 

•  by 2025, reduce portfolio greenhouse gases 

(GHG) emission intensity by 18.5%.

•  by 2030, reduce portfolio GHG emission 

intensity by 50%.

•  by 2050, we are targeting a net zero asset 

portfolio, in line with a 1.5°C ‘Paris’ objective. 

Refer to our climate report for full details.

60% of LGRI’s renewable investments, by market 
value, are in the UK offshore wind sector and 
we continue to increase our investment in 
renewable energy. We have invested in three 
offshore wind farms with the capacity to provide 
power for millions of homes. 

This includes £370 million invested in Hornsea 
Project One located in the North Sea. Once 
completed, it will be the world’s largest offshore 
wind farm with 174 turbines. We have also 
invested in the Walney Extension, off the coast 
of Cumbria, and the Dudgeon Offshore Wind 
Farm off the east coast of England.

Outlook
Effective from 1 January 2022, Andrew Kail has 
taken over from Laura Mason as CEO of our 
institutional retirement business. Andrew brings 
with him a wealth of industry knowledge and 
experience, having joined our retail retirement 
business in 2021.

The UK PRT market has experienced rapid 
growth over the past decade. A baseline of over 
£25 billion per annum of PRT volume is now well 
established.	We	expect	to	see	significant	growth	
in both the UK and US PRT markets over the 
next decade and beyond as more DB pension 
schemes move closer to full buy-out funding.

Climate report
Our 2021 climate report is available 
on our group website. See: group.
legalandgeneral.com/reports

Build to Rent

We have invested over £500 million 
in 2021 on the development of four 
Build to Rent (BTR) schemes in 
Stratford (pictured), Hove, 
Southampton and Lewisham, which 
will create over 1,300 new homes for 
the local communities. Our well 
established BTR platform works 
alongside third parties to develop 
best-in-class BTR schemes, which 
help to tackle the UK’s housing crisis 
by using pension funds to deliver 
thousands of new homes. From 2030, 
all of our BTR homes built will be 
enabled to operate at net zero carbon. 
We are using pensions funds to 
regenerate cities around the country 
and supporting the UK economy. 

Institutional retirement

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33

Retail 
retirement

CEO introduction
Our mission is to be the financial home for 
customers’ savings and retirement needs 
supporting more colourful futures. The 
business currently comprises the group’s 
retirement savings and income, later life 
lending and care solutions businesses. 

retirement needs of our retail and workplace 
customers allowing us to take a joined-up 
approach to our customers, data and 
technology. Andrew Kail is taking over from 
Laura Mason as CEO of our institutional 
retirement business.

As of 1 January 2022, our two retail businesses 
(retirement and insurance) have come together 
to form Legal & General Retail. Under the 
leadership of Bernie Hickman, this division will 
focus on serving the savings, protection and 

Investing in the real economy.

Growth drivers
•  Ageing demographics.
• 
•  Welfare reforms.
•  Technological innovation.
•  Addressing climate change.

Andrew Kail
Chief	Executive	Officer,
Legal	&	General	Retirement	Retail

Response to Covid-19
Our sales performance has responded resiliently 
in 2021 despite the challenges that the UK continues 
to face, with annuity sales up 5%, lifetime mortgage 
(LTM) and retirement interest only (RIO) mortgage 
advances up 7% and Workplace Savings net 
flows	up	9%.	Many	of	our	colleagues	have	
continued to work from home, but we continued 
to deliver excellent customer service and ensured 
that all our annuitants continued to be paid.

2021 key activities

members,	the	L&G	Mastertrust,	as	the	largest	
commercial master trust on the market, provides 
schemes with value for money alongside 
best-in-class governance. 

Supporting the group’s commitment to climate 
change,	the	L&G	Mastertrust	unveiled	a	proposed	
roadmap to achieve net zero by 2050 across all 
of our auto-enrolment default investment options 
(this applies to the standard Mastertrust default 
options:	L&G	Multi-Asset	Fund,	L&G	Future	World	
Multi-Asset	Fund	and	L&G	Target	Date	Funds).	

Workplace pensions
Our Workplace Savings business was 
transferred from our investment management 
business to our retail retirement business at the 
start of 2021, and now serves 4.4 million people 
saving for retirement. This allows us to better 
serve these customers as we are able to provide 
savings and retirement advice and products to 
members before and after retirement as their 
needs change. 

As	well	as	being	beneficial	for	our	customers,	it	
allows us to retain their custom for longer and 
bring greater value to the group. One of our key 
Workplace	offerings	is	the	L&G	Mastertrust.	In	
line with the Department for Work and Pensions 
guidance on providing value for pension scheme 

Retirement income
Although we have seen some recovery in 
the annuity market during the year, we expect 
it	to	grow	further	in	the	future	as	the	defined	
contribution (DC) pension market continues 
to increase and fewer people reach retirement 
with	defined	benefit	pensions	and	so	seek	the	
longevity protection that an annuity provides.

We continue to invest in our underwriting and 
pricing capability in order to ensure that we offer 
our customers the best possible rates as well as 
in our operational areas so that we can continue 
to provide excellent customer service.
We were recognised as winners of the Best 
Annuity Provider for the second year running 
and were commended for Best Annuity Service 

at	the	Investment	Life	&	Pensions	Moneyfacts	
Awards 2021.

Recognising	that	some	people	will	benefit	from	
greater	flexibility	in	their	retirement,	we	have	
continued to enhance our drawdown proposition 
that we launched in the second half of 2020. 
We understand that everyone’s retirement plans 
will be different and that we need to provide the 
products and guidance to support this.

Retirement lending
In July 2021 we launched our new later life 
mortgages portal, with greater automation 
and improved product functionality, to cater 
for adviser needs and customer choice. 

Our recent research shows that a third of all 
non-retirees (35%) have less than £10,000 in 
their pension pot, but own a property, and that 
22% of current workers plan on using the value 
of their home to fund their retirement, following 
record house price increases. We anticipate that 
using your home to fund your retirement will 
become more commonplace in the future, 
whether by downsizing to free up funds or 
releasing money tied up in your home through 
products such as lifetime mortgages. To help 
support this change in need, we continue to 
add new features to our products.

Individual annuity 
sales £m 

970

957

910

£957m

We have had a strong 2021 with new 
business volumes of £957 million, 5% 
higher than 2020 as the annuities 
market started to recover from the 
impact of Covid-19.

Lifetime and 
retirement interest 
only mortgages £m    

£848m

965 

848

791

Lifetime and retirement interest 
only mortgage lending advances 
of £848 million were 7% higher than 
the prior year, whilst still maintaining 
pricing and underwriting discipline.

2019

2020

2021

2019

2020

2021

34

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Financial statements

Other information

Rewirement

In May, we launched Rewirement, 
a podcast series hosted by Angellica 
Bell opening up the conversation 
on retirement across an eight-part 
series. Each episode looks at a 
different area of retirement, such as 
how to keep mentally and physically 
fit, relocating later in life and retirement 
in the LGBTQ+ community.

Our mission is to be 
the financial home 
for customers’ savings 
and retirement needs, 
supporting more 
colourful futures.” 

Andrew Kail
Chief	Executive	Officer,
Legal	&	General	Retirement	Retail

As the number of ‘property millionaire areas’ in 
England	and	Wales	has	increased	by	95%	in	five	
years, we continue to see more people using 
lifetime mortgages to pass wealth to future 
generations. We expect this trend to grow the 
market in the coming years. In order to support 
this, we have designed a new premier lifetime 
mortgage offering for clients with properties 
worth over £1 million to cater for the growing 
interest in this area. The new offering will provide 
a specially designed product and additional 
support to advisers when dealing with larger loans. 

Health and care
Launched in January 2021, our Care Concierge 
service is designed to offer practical and emotional 
support through a dedicated online hub and a 
confidential	telephone	advisory	service.	It	offers	
comprehensive	and	confidential	advice	and	
guidance, to help people to effectively plan for 
the cost of long-term care, understand their 
options	and	find	the	right	care	as	quickly	as	
possible. We recently announced an industry-
leading partnership with professional services 
consultancy Barnett Waddingham, integrating 

our Care Concierge service into their digital 
platform, which offers clients ‘cradle-to-grave’ 
benefits	to	their	workforce.

Outlook
Effective 1 January 2022, our retail retirement 
business will come together with our insurance 
business	to	form	Legal	&	General	Retail	–	bringing	
together our people, ideas and technology so 
we can be there when it matters most to our 
customers. 

Our ambition is to be the UK’s leading insurance, 
savings and retirement brand, enabling all our 
customers to have a secure retirement whilst 
generating	profits	for	the	group	and,	over	time,	
to expand internationally. Together, we can 
protect	people	from	financial	uncertainty	
throughout their lives and help to secure the 
retirement they deserve.

* 

** 

 2020 has been restated to reflect the change in segmentation of the 
Workplace Savings business, which moved from LGIM to LGRR. 2019 
has not been restated. 
 In 2020 we adopted an adjusted version of the CMI 2018 mortality tables.

Adjusted operating
profit £m

397*

353

352

2019

2020

2021

Retail retirement

£352m

Adjusted	operating	profit	decreased	
by 11% as the prior year included 
a £75 million reserve release**. Excluding 
this	release,	adjusted	operating	profit	
grew by 9% driven by the ongoing 
release from operations, positive 
mortality experience due to the tragic 
impact of Covid-19, and routine updates 
to our valuation assumptions.

Understanding the risks
As a provider of retail retirement products, 
we are exposed to the risk that people 
live for longer than we have assumed 
in the pricing of our products. In pricing 
our lifetime mortgages, we also make 
assumptions for the long-term outlook 
of the housing market. Our mortgage 
underwriting seeks to ensure that we 
are selective in the risks we take on and 
that our loan portfolio is resilient to a 
range of economic scenarios. As we 
increasingly advise on mortgages, we 
inherently increase our exposure to advice 
risks, and we have invested heavily in 
ensuring our advisory business leads 
to good customer outcomes.

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35

Investment 
management

Growth drivers
•  Ageing demographics.
•  Globalisation of asset markets.
• 
Investing in the real economy.
•  Welfare reforms.
•  Addressing climate change.

CEO introduction
Our purpose is to create a better future through 
responsible investing. Our growth ambition is 
driven by our three-pillar strategy, to modernise, 
diversify and internationalise the business. 
Over the past year, we increased revenue 
to over £1 billion for the first time, grew 
assets under management to £1.4 trillion 
($1.9 trillion) and reinforced our position as 
a global leader in environment, social and 
governance (ESG), demonstrated by our 
leading role at COP26.

Our purpose is to create 
a better future through 
responsible investing.” 

Michelle Scrimgeour
Chief	Executive	Officer,
Legal	&	General	Investment	
Management

Michelle Scrimgeour
Chief	Executive	Officer,
Legal	&	General	Investment	Management

Response to Covid-19
The plans we put in place at the start of the 
pandemic to limit the effects of Covid-19 on our 
business remained effective throughout 2021. 
We continue to follow these plans and have 
sufficient	resources	to	withstand	the	effects	
of the pandemic and any further lockdowns.

2021 key activities
Our investment performance was strong in 2021. 
Of our mainstream actively managed funds 
which includes active bond, active equity and 
multi-asset strategies, 61% outperformed their 
benchmark over one year, 81% over three years 
and	76%	over	five	years	(using	our	regulated	
Undertakings for Collective Investments for 
Transferable Securities ‘UCITS’ as a proxy for 
the performance returns).

Stewardship
We	use	our	influence	to	raise	market	standards	
and best practice, committing to engagement 
with consequences. During the 2021 proxy 
season, we subjected 130 companies to voting 
sanctions, with banking, insurance, real estate, 
technology and telecoms sectors the most 
highly sanctioned through a vote. We divested 

from	four	companies	due	to	insufficient	action	
to address the risks posed by climate change.

We announced a partnership with NTR, a leading 
renewable energy specialist, to address climate 
change by providing institutional investors in the 
UK, Europe and Asia access to the €1 trillion 
European energy transition in 2022. 

We have consistently received A+ rankings 
for our responsible investment strategy and 
active ownership by the UN Principles for 
Responsible Investment (UN PRI), and in 2021 
the FRC listed LGIM as a signatory to the UK 
Stewardship Code.

Modernise
We continue to invest in the business to achieve 
the resilience and agility critical to future success. 
In July 2021 we extended our existing partnership 
with State Street by expanding the usage of 
Charles	River	technology	to	deliver	middle	office	
servicing. The use of this technology across a 
number of our investment management services 
in the UK, America, Asia and Europe will enable 
us to offer a more automated, consistent and 
seamless experience for all of our clients based 
around the world. 

External net flows £bn 

 86.4 

£34.6bn

External	net	flows	of	£34.6	billion	are	
70% higher than 2020, driven by strong 
performance internationally, especially 
in Europe and Japan.

Assets under 
management (AUM) £bn

1,421

1,279

1,196

£1.4tn

AUM grew by 11% to £1.4 trillion in 2021. 
£290 billion of the AUM we manage for 
our clients is in responsible investment 
strategies explicitly linked to ESG criteria.

34.6

20.4 

2019

2020

2021

2019

2020

2021

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COP 26

In 2021, we were at the heart of the 
COP26 programme, as Michelle 
Scrimgeour co-chaired the COP26 
Business Leaders Group alongside 
President for COP26, Rt Hon Alok 
Sharma MP. Our aim is to push the 
private sector to do more on the 
transition to net zero and to 
galvanise climate action in the 
public sector.

Picture: the SEC in Glasgow (venue for COP26)

model portfolios, which will hold a balance of 
underlying funds to deliver income, while also 
maintaining the potential for capital growth.

Internationalise
Over	the	last	five	years,	our	international	AUM	
has more than doubled to reach £479 billion, 
34% of our total AUM. Our ambition is to 
continue	growing	international	AUM	profitably	
and at pace in the US, Europe and Asia.

US
In the US, we are deepening our strong client 
relationships through innovation in DC and 
leadership in ESG. We remain a leading provider 
in	the	US	Defined	Benefit	market.

Europe
We are building on our success in Germany and 
Italy to expand further into European markets 
and channels through higher-margin thematic 
ETFs	and	active	fixed	income	strategies.	We	
partnered with Universal Investment to launch 
an Absolute Return Emerging Market Debt fund 

for	German	investors.	Europe	saw	positive	flows	
of £13.6 billion from multiple clients across the 
region, with European institutional AUM reaching 
€100 billion.

Asia Pacific
Our strategy is to retain and increase the 
proportion of funds invested with us with 
existing clients and deepen our footprint in 
existing	markets	–	Japan,	mainland	China,	
Hong	Kong,	Taiwan	and	Korea	–	by	showcasing	
investment solutions that address key market 
trends. In 2021, we also partnered with 
institutional clients in New Zealand on a 
market-leading climate investment strategy.

Outlook
We continue to focus on attracting higher 
margin	net	flows	and	on	diversifying	and	further	
internationalising our business. We remain 
confident	of	growing	cumulative	profits	in	the	
range	of	3%	–	6%.

Real Assets
LGIM Real Assets is well positioned and enjoyed 
notable successes in 2021, including raising 
£362 million for the Secure Income Assets Fund 
while initiatives such as an innovative digital 
occupier engagement platform help future-proof 
the portfolio and ensure we become an owner 
of choice for occupiers. We expect future growth 
in	flows	to	be	supported	by	our	Build	to	Rent	
strategy, which now has a pipeline of c.9,000 
homes across the country, infrastructure equity 
and by private credit, which offers clients 
diversification	of	secure	income	and	value	
protection solutions.

Diversify
We are continuing to expand our investment 
offering, with a focus on higher-margin product 
areas such as Real Assets, Exchange-traded 
Funds (ETFs), Multi Asset and Solutions.
Around 80% of our recent product launches 
have	been	in	ESG-specific	areas.	During	2021,	
we launched innovative new products including 
the ESG Paris Aligned World Equity Index Fund, 
a low carbon transition index equity fund suite 
for UK pension clients, and a number of ESG 
thematic ETFs. 

UK Defined Contribution (DC) and retail
We continue to innovate in this market, as shown 
by the launch of the Sustainable DC Property 
Fund which enables investors to access real 
assets and to incorporate more ambitious ESG 
targets. Our Mastertrust recently surpassed 
£17 billion in assets under management (AUM). 
It now spans 230 employers and c.1.4 million 
members, making it the largest commercial 
mastertrust on the market.

In June 2021, we announced the launch of 
our Model Portfolio Service (MPS), a range 
of growth and income model portfolios with 
varying	risk	profiles.	The	MPS	range,	which	is	
available	to	investors	via	their	financial	adviser,	
includes 21 growth-focused model portfolios 
designed to cater to investors looking to grow 
their capital over time, and four income-focused 

Adjusted operating
profit £m

394

407*

422

£422m

Our	adjusted	operating	profit	grew	
by 4% to £422 million in 2021. Revenue 
increased by 6% to more than £1 billion 
while our cost:income ratio remains 
in the high 50% range as we invest 
for growth.

2019

2020

2021

*  

 2020 has been restated to reflect the 
change in segmentation of the Workplace 
Savings business, which moved from LGIM 
to LGRR. 2019 has not been restated.

Understanding the risks 
Ensuring robust internal controls so 
that funds are managed in line with 
client mandates, fund performance is 
consistently delivered and operational 
errors are minimised are integral to 
attracting new funds under management, 
minimising	fund	outflow	and	managing	
regulatory and reputational risks. Our 
continued investments in systems, 
processes and people seek to ensure we 
maintain a control environment that 
aligns with the operational risk exposures 
across our global operating model.

Investment management

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37

Capital 
investment

CEO introduction
As the group’s alternative asset business, 
Legal & General Capital (LGC) deploys 
shareholder capital to support the UK’s 
real economy. LGC has three objectives:

Our ambition is to build LGC’s diversified 
alternative assets under management (AUM) 
to c.£5 billion by 2025 (2021: £3.4 billion), with 
an upgraded blended portfolio return target 
of 10% – 12% (previously 8% – 10%).

1.  profit and value generation for shareholders 
2.  asset creation for long-term investors, 

including the group’s retirement businesses 
3.  a focus on identifying and meeting the need 
for investment in society to drive positive 
environmental and social impact.

Growth drivers
•  Ageing demographics.
•  Globalisation of asset markets.
Investing in the real economy.
• 
•  Welfare reform.
•  Technological innovation.
•  Addressing climate change.

Laura Mason
Chief	Executive	Officer,
Legal	&	General	Capital

Response to Covid-19
LGC’s success is based upon identifying areas 
of society that require investment, which is even 
more important as the UK recovers from 
Covid-19. We launched a new Rebuilding Britain 
Index (RBI) in 2021 to act as a benchmark in 
identifying the UK’s investment priorities, 
regional investment gaps and barriers to 
increasing investment.

2021 key activities

Housing
LGC provides quality homes for all ages, tenures, 
and demographics. During 2021, our housing 
property	portfolio	grew	substantially,	reflecting	
the sustained long-term demand for housing in 
the UK. As a business, we have the unique 
combination of long-term capital, expertise and 
commitment to continue to scale up this 
platform further, whilst working towards our 
commitment for all new homes delivered from 
2030 being capable of operating with net zero 
carbon emissions.

Affordable Homes
Our Affordable Homes business is one of the 
UK’s leading institutional developers and owners 
of affordable housing. In 2021, we increased our 

number of operational affordable homes by 997, 
and secured a pipeline of over 7,000 homes. We 
also agreed a £270 million investment with our 
retirement business creating assets to meet its 
pension liabilities.

Build to Sell
LGC’s Build to Sell business, CALA, had a strong 
rebound in 2021. Now the 10th largest 
housebuilder in the UK by revenue, CALA 
delivered	a	significant	increase	in	adjusted	
operating	profit	through	the	sale	of	more	than	
2,900 units. 

Build to Rent 
Our urban Build to Rent (BTR) business provides 
purpose-built rental housing. The long-term 
rental income provides high-quality assets for 
LGR and for LGIM clients, with a £2.6 billion 
portfolio of over 7,000 UK-wide homes currently 
in operation or development. 

Our Suburban Build to Rent (SBTR) business 
submitted a planning application for a site in 
North Horsham, a multi-tenure scheme to be 
delivered by our different housing businesses. 
SBTR also acquired a site in Peterborough, 
building its pipeline to over 750 homes across 
the UK.

Later Living
Growth in our Inspired Villages Later Living 
business continues at pace, with six operational 
villages supporting c.1,000 residents, four 
schemes under construction (including two 
that	will	become	the	UK’s	first	net	zero	carbon	
regulated energy retirement village) and 
a pipeline of 22 further sites.

During 2021, LGC entered into a 15-year joint 
venture partnership with NatWest Group 
Pension Fund, aiming to expand Inspired 
Villages’ portfolio to 34 villages supporting 
around 8,000 residents.

Modular Homes
While we recognise that, since its establishment 
in 2016, Modular Homes has not progressed at 
the speed we would have originally planned or 
anticipated, the business is now generating 
significant	momentum,	commencing	
construction on sites in Selby, Bristol and 
Broadstairs to deliver 450 homes, as well as 
seeking planning permission for c.400 homes 
across three further sites. All modular homes 
achieve	an	Energy	Performance	Certificate	‘A’	
rating, a standard met by fewer than 1% of 
new-build homes in the UK.

Direct investments £bn 

3.4

3.1

2.9

£3.4bn

Adjusted operating
profit £m

461

£461m

Our direct investment portfolio has 
grown to £3.4 billion, an increase of 
10% over 2020. This growth is the 
result of continued deployment of 
capital to progress our housing 
businesses, as well as investing into 
start-up businesses via our venture 
capital funds.

363

275

Adjusted	operating	profit	has	
significantly	recovered,	showing	
68% growth on 2020 and 27% growth 
on 2019, as a result of a bounce-back 
in the housebuilding market and the 
continued maturing of the underlying 
investments in our venture capital and 
clean energy businesses.

2019

2020

2021

2019

2020

2021

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Pod Point

Pod Point is an electric vehicle 
charge point provider first backed by 
LGC in 2019. Pod Point’s partnership 
with Volkswagen and Tesco has 
powered more than 10 million miles 
of travel and helped to accelerate 
the adoption of electric vehicles. 
We expect demand to grow as sales 
of new petrol- and diesel-powered 
vehicles will be banned from 2030. 
Pod Point’s IPO in 2021 raised 
c.£120m of gross proceeds. This 
implies a return of 3.8x on LGC’s 
investment, demonstrating our 
commitment to addressing climate 
change and our ability to create value 
through realisations.

By investing in and 
developing high-quality 
alternative assets, our 
capital investment business 
generates attractive 
risk-adjusted returns 
for shareholders.”

Laura Mason
Chief	Executive	Officer,
Legal	&	General	Capital

Alternative finance and venture capital
Through our venture capital investments, we are 
providing funding for over 400 companies across 
34 funds. We continue to back exciting and 
innovative companies such as Onto, which is 
dedicated to making electric cars widely available, 
and AccurX, a healthcare messaging company 
which was at the heart of the NHS’s Covid-19 
vaccination effort. Many of the funds we invested 
in early are now maturing, with the strongest 
assets achieving new funding rounds at 
increased valuations. We also lend to small and 
medium-sized UK and European businesses 
through our 40% stake in Pemberton.

Specialist commercial real estate
We are involved in some of the UK’s largest urban 
transformation schemes across 18 towns and 
cities. Our 2021 projects include expanding 
Bruntwood SciTech’s life sciences network 
through the Birmingham Health Innovation 
Campus, as well as a £1.5 billion partnership with 
the University of Manchester. This will deliver a new 
Innovation District creating 10,000 full-time jobs 
and 1,300 homes over 15 years. We also received 
planning permission for a mixed-use scheme 
at	Sheffield’s	West	Bar	development.	

As part of our £4 billion partnership with Oxford 
University, we began construction on the 
£200 million ‘Life and Mind Building’, as well as 
agreeing to fund and deliver a new innovation 
district with the University. 

We have partnered with Kao Data who are a 
leading computing provider for life sciences and 
financial	services	in	the	UK.	Kao	Data	secured	
co-investment at an accretive valuation from the 
£11 billion infrastructure fund, HRL Morrison.

housing	sector.	There	are	significant	opportunities	
for Sero to work with our existing housing assets 
and businesses. We also own a 25% share of 
NTR Asset Management Europe, a Principles for 
Responsible Investment A+ rated sustainable 
infrastructure asset manager, with more than 
€500 million deployed across two funds.

Traded portfolio 
Our	diversified	traded	portfolio	has	performed	
strongly over 2021, while continuing our strategy 
to shift LGC’s asset mix towards alternative assets. 
Consistent with our publicly stated climate 
targets, we continue to reduce the carbon 
emissions intensity of the listed equity portfolio 
by investing into assets where carbon reduction 
targets are a key objective or by investing in 
more climate impact stocks, such as renewable 
infrastructure companies.

Clean energy 
We invest in early-stage innovative clean 
technology companies and low carbon renewable 
energy infrastructure. Expanding on our existing 
investments in Pod Point, Kensa Group, Tokamak 
Energy and Oxford PV, we recently took a 19% 
stake in Sero Technologies, a company supporting 
the transition to net zero across the residential 

Outlook
LGC’s ambition is to deliver adjusted operating 
profit	of	£600	–	£700	million	in	2025.	We	plan	
to increase fee-generating third-party capital to 
£25	–	£30	billion	(2021:	£12.3	billion)	by	2025,	
driven by a wide range of strategies. As part 
of our ambition, we also target international 
opportunities, primarily focusing on the US. 

Homes completed 

4,364

3,334

 2,737 

4,364

Across our housing portfolio, we 
continue to deliver at pace to help 
address the UK’s chronic under supply 
of housing. Across all tenures, we 
completed on 4,364 homes in 2021, 
an increase from 3,334 in 2020.

Understanding the risks 
Our early stage investments through 
Legal	&	General	Capital	are	inherently	
exposed to the risk that they do not perform 
as anticipated. Where we undertake 
construction activity, we are also directly 
exposed to health and safety, and 
environmental risks. We seek to closely 
manage our real estate and housing market 
risk exposures, including development 
costs and changes in property values. 
Site health and safety is a core focus area 
across all our property development and 
operating activities. 

2019

2020

2021

Capital investment

LGC capital markets event
group.legalandgeneral.com/CME

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

39

  
Insurance

CEO introduction
Our investment in digital solutions has helped 
us deliver growth, with record new business 
volumes in UK retail protection and record 
lending through our mortgage club. 

As Covid-19 continues, our insurance 
businesses provide much-needed financial 
support when tragedy strikes and provide 
peace of mind to over nine million customers.

As of 1 January 2022, our two retail businesses 
(retirement and insurance) have come together 
to form Legal & General Retail. Under the 
leadership of Bernie Hickman, this division 
will focus on serving the savings, protection 
and retirement needs of our retail and workplace 
customers allowing us to take a joined-up 
approach to our customers, data, and technology. 

Growth drivers
•  Welfare reforms.
•  Technological innovation.

Bernie Hickman
Chief	Executive	Officer,
Legal	&	General	Insurance

Response to Covid-19
We continue to serve our customers and 
distributors remotely with customer satisfaction 
levels remaining high and record new business 
volumes being written in 2021.

We invested in technology to help new customers 
through their application process. We expanded 
our virtual screenings’ capabilities for protection 
applicants by providing digital blood pressure 
machines to a selection of customers requiring 
a	medical	assessment,	and	who	qualified	to	do	
it virtually. We continued to offer deferred payment 
holidays where vulnerable customers request 
help with payments and we have helped our 
customers to remain protected. 

We paid £2.1 billion of protection claims in 2021, 
of which £279 million related to Covid-19, helping 
families during this devastating time.

2021 key activities

UK retail protection 
There was an increase in demand in the UK retail 
protection market in 2021. As a result of strong 
relationships with our key distribution partners 
and our investment in technology, we 
maintained a market share of over 25%. 

Advances in our digital underwriting processes 
allow us to offer immediate terms to over 84% 
of our applicants, which we believe to be market 
leading. We have enhanced our digital offering 
to align with the changes that our partners and 
customers require in accessing and buying their 
financial	services.

We continue to develop our health and wellbeing 
assistance	offering.	‘Umbrella	benefits’	includes	
two	new	optional	protection	benefits	–	fracture	
cover	and	private	diagnostics	–	with	access	to	
wellbeing support and rehabilitation support 
services also available on income protection 
policies to help advisers offer their clients more 
choice, more cover and more assistance when 
they need it most. We expanded our offer to the 
under-served rental market, with the launch of a 
non-advised income protection product, illness 
and injury insurance. 

UK group protection 
2021 was a year of innovation, growth and a 
focus on customers. We launched Protect to the 
market: a new digital proposition that provides 
a way for employees to tailor their protection 
benefits	to	their	own	circumstances.	We	
conducted research that showed that, whilst 
wellbeing is high on businesses’ agendas, the 

way they are approaching it varies widely. 
Recognising this, we refreshed our wellbeing 
proposition: be well, get better and be supported. 
This is intended to be easy for our customers to 
understand and helps clients and their 
employees when they need it most. 

US protection
By harnessing data and technology, we are 
continuing to grow in the sizeable and growing 
US protection market, which has over $27 billion 
of term life premiums each year. We seek to be 
the insurer of choice for families in the US who 
seek simple, affordable and digitally accessible 
life insurance. 

We continue to develop our market-leading, 
digital new business platform, Horizon. Adoption 
of Horizon is now over 65% of new business and 
we expect this to increase next year. We have 
significantly	reduced	use	of	physical	medical	
assessments, from 85% of all applications 
needing a physical assessment at the start of 
2020 to less than 50% of applications currently. 
We have a range of further underwriting 
innovations being deployed to reduce the need 
for physical assessments and reduce the time 
taken to provide an underwriting decision.

Solvency II new 
business contribution
£m

£262m

Gross written 
premiums £bn 

 2.8 

2.9

2.7

£2.9bn

254

262

216

Our data-driven approach to optimise 
the value we add from writing new 
business has delivered a Solvency II 
new business contribution of 
£262 million, a 3% growth on last 
year in a challenging market. We have 
focused on higher margin products, 
enhanced pricing sophistication and 
continued to deliver good expense 
management.

Gross written premiums grew by 2% 
to £2.9 billion, driven by increased 
customer retention and renewals 
in our UK group protection business 
as well as strong new business from 
our distribution reach in UK and US 
retail protection. Our longer-term focus 
remains on enhancing competitive 
advantage through effective use 
of technology. 

2019

2020

2021

2019

2020

2021

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Fintech solutions
We have a number of direct investments where 
we leverage both the agile mentality and the 
technology solutions of start-up businesses 
in strategically important market segments to 
enhance delivery of our core businesses and 
to help these businesses scale and succeed. 
We hold investments in businesses specialising 
in	workplace	benefits,	insurtech,	mortgages,	
health and care. 

Salary Finance
Salary	Finance	supports	financial	wellbeing	
through employers by offering products such 
as salary deductible loans, savings and early 
wage access, which over four million employees 
in the UK and the US have access to. The UK 
gross revenue has nearly doubled and the new 
employee loan volumes in the US have grown 
fivefold	year-on-year.	Gross	revenue	grew	to	£30	
million, an increase of 85% year-on-year. These 
trends in key metrics are expected to continue 
with growing employee awareness and increasing 
platform engagement in both the UK and US. 

Asanto
Asanto is a no-code cloud-based decision 
making platform developed by our technology 
business,	theidol.com.	Asanto	allows	financial	
services	products	to	be	configured	and	launched	
more effectively than traditional legacy platforms 
by removing the need for IT developers and 
allowing other business areas to make changes 
themselves. During 2022, the Asanto team will 
build more tools in order to provide advanced 
mortgage services and will partner with a US 
technology business to modernise the US 
protection market and make automated 
underwriting more accessible.

Mortgage services
We continue to enhance our mortgage services 
offering to borrowers, brokers and lenders by 
improving the portfolio of attractive mortgage 
assets through innovative technology solutions.

Mortgage club
Our mortgage club is the largest and longest 
running mortgage club in the UK, facilitating 
around	one	in	five	of	all	mortgages.	We	work	
closely with a broad range of lenders to deliver 
both	mainstream	and	specific	products	for	our	
advisers. We saw record lending levels through 
the mortgage club in 2021, with £97.5 billion 
of lending transacted. We continue to innovate 
to pursue our vision of a frictionless mortgage 
journey for customers.

Surveying services
As one of the largest market participants, 
managing over 528,000 valuations in 2021, 
we continue to invest in new technology and 
in	refining	our	digital	valuation	proposition.	
Our remote digital valuation solution processed 
over 49,000 digital valuations, compared with 
43,000 in 2020, as lockdowns increased the 
value of our service to lenders.

Outlook
Effective 1 January 2022, our insurance 
business came together with our retail 
retirement	business	to	form	Legal	&	General	
Retail	–	bringing	together	our	people,	ideas,	and	
technology so we can be there when it matters 
most to our customers. 

We continue to target mid-single digit growth in 
revenues across our UK protection businesses, 
and to achieve double digit growth in US new 
business sales. 

Automating 
underwriting

Horizon, our digital new business 
platform in the US, leverages 
increasingly available electronic 
health data, combined with 
disciplined underwriting and 
strong expertise from our UK 
business. Automating our 
underwriting process and reducing 
reliance on physical assessments 
and paper-based evidence will 
deliver meaningful growth, facilitate 
new distribution partnerships and 
provide cost efficiencies.

Adjusted operating 
profit £m

314

268

189

2019

2020

2021

Insurance

£268m

Adjusted	operating	profit	increased	
42% to £268 million, primarily driven 
by increased new business contribution 
and assumption changes (including 
modelling	refinements	to	the	liability	
discount rate in our retail protection 
business). This is partially offset by high 
claims experience, particularly in our US 
protection business, driven by Covid-19.

Understanding the risks
Providing protection products means 
that we have to make assumptions 
about our customers’ life spans, how 
healthy they will be, and how long they 
will continue with the policy. We seek 
to price and underwrite our products 
to take account of these risks, and use 
reinsurance	to	manage	significant	
exposures. In delivering our ambition 
to be a market leader in the digital 
provision of insurance, as we develop 
our digital propositions, we are also 
exposed to technology risks and cyber 
risks which if not well controlled may 
lead to both reputational damage and 
financial	loss.

We will continue to invest 
and provide support to 
customers in our new 
retail division, 
incorporating our 
insurance division with 
retail retirement to create 
a single interface for our 
retail clients.”

Bernie Hickman
Chief	Executive	Officer,
Legal	&	General	Insurance

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

41

A sustainable 
business

Being a sustainable business defines our  
role in society and the value we create. 

Sustainability report
Our sustainability report will be 
published later in 2022. For details 
see: group.legalandgeneral.com/
sustainabilityreports

42

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

A sustainable business
Our guiding principle of inclusive capitalism 
gives purpose and focus to the actions we take 
to build a more sustainable society.

We invest in creating better places to live and 
work. We fund critical research into the 
technologies, and develop the infrastructure, 
which will enable the transition to a low-carbon 
economy. Through our relationships with 
policy-makers, institutional clients and other 
stakeholders,	we	influence	public	debate	and	
corporate actions on a range of sustainability-
related issues and we demonstrate the power 
of capital to solve problems. At its core, our 
business is geared around providing access 
to	financial	services	for	those	who	need	them.

Being a responsible and sustainable business 
remains at the heart of our agenda.

During 2021, the market’s focus on environment, 
social and governance (ESG) matters continued 
to intensify. We have long believed that these 
issues are critical to the ways in which we do 
business. Our prosperity as a company depends 
on a strong and resilient society and a stable 
economic context. It is increasingly clear that 
this will only be achieved for the long term 
if environmental, social and health concerns 
are addressed by companies such as 
Legal	&	General.

During 2021 we reviewed our sustainability 
strategy. Our 2021 sustainability report, to be 
published later in 2022, will include more detail 
on our achievements in 2021 and our future 
strategy. In the meantime, we have continued 
to take steps on our journey to net zero, 
contributed to the creation of a better society 
and worked to ensure our company is governed 
in a responsible way, consistent with our goal 
to be a sustainable business.

Journey to net zero
We recognise that ‘environment’ encompasses 
more than just climate change and we face a 
broad	set	of	specific	risks	and	opportunities	
across our businesses and balance sheet.

Scientific	and	policy	opinion	continue	to	
emphasise the need to limit warming to 1.5°C 
or lower in order to avoid the most catastrophic 
physical and economic risks associated with 
climate change. 2021 was the second year 
of the ‘climate decade’, and while COP26 gave 
grounds for cautious optimism, there remains 
much to be done to align across the economy 
on the need to act. 

We have continued our journey to net zero. 
There are three principal ways in which we 
contribute to a low-carbon future:

• 

• 

investing our own assets in low-carbon 
technology and infrastructure. We also seek 
to reduce the environmental impact of our 
investments	–	such	as	in	affordable	and	build	
to	rent	housing	–	which	serve	a	social	purpose.
influencing others, both using our position 
as one of the world’s largest asset managers 
and leveraging our relationships with 
policymakers and in public debate.

•  operating our business in a way which seeks 
to reduce our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. 

Key progress in 2021 includes:

•  bringing our climate scenario modelling 

capabilities in-house.

•  constructing	our	first	net	zero	carbon	

retirement community.

•  working towards setting and validating 
science-based targets, which will be 
disclosed in 2023.

•  appointing Simon Gadd as Group Climate 

Change Director and Nilufer von Bismarck as 
non-executive director with focus on climate.

Investing our own assets
We fund investments in technology and 
infrastructure which are aligned with the Paris 
Agreement’s objective of limiting global warming 
to 1.5 °C. We have invested £1.4 billion in clean 
energy to date and we have commitments 
to decarbonise our balance sheet. We choose 
to engage with companies to support and 
encourage them to decarbonise before 
divesting. Please refer to our climate report 
for full details.

Investment portfolio 
carbon footprint (Scope 
3 investments) 

74 tCO2e/£m

(2020: 89 tCO2e/£m)1

Purpose: Measures the greenhouse gases 
associated with our investment portfolio.

The carbon emission intensity of our proprietary assets was 
74 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per £1 million invested, down 
17.0%	from	last	year.	This	is	due	to	a	combination	of	refinements	to	
methodology, the organic decarbonisation of our investments, 
which includes an impact from Covid-19, along with changes in 
our portfolio, such as that driven by our coal divestments as well 
as the impact of market movements on company valuations.

 Our Scope 3 non-investment emissions (business travel, working from home and 
serviced offices) were 5,466 tCO2e. 
1. 

 2020 figure rebased (previously reported as 117 tCO2e). Refer to page 51 
of our 2021 climate report for details.

Our goal is to create 
a better future through 
responsible investing. 
Climate change remains 
the number one challenge 
for us today. I am 
determined that we 
will do all that we can 
to tackle this. Inaction 
is not an option.”

Michelle Scrimgeour
Chief	Executive	Officer	of	our	
investment management business 
and co-chair of the COP26 
Business Leaders Group

In this section we indicate which 
UN SDGs we contribute most to.

Climate report
Our 2021 climate report is available 
on our group website. See: group.
legalandgeneral.com/reports

A sustainable business

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

43

 
A sustainable business
continued

FCA’s Listing Rule 9.8.8R
A summary of our climate-related 
financial disclosures is set out 
on the next page. Our disclosures 
are consistent with the 
recommendations by the Task 
Force on Climate-Related Financial 
Disclosures and can be found in 
full in our separate climate report. 
Our climate report is available at: 
group.legalandgeneral.com/
reports.

Companies Act 2006 and SECR
In building our footprint we have 
reported on the emission sources 
for January to December 2021 
required under the Companies Act 
2006 Strategic Report and Directors’ 
Report Regulations 2013 and have 
followed the requirements of the 
Streamlined Energy and Carbon 
Reporting (SECR) framework.

We have included within Scope 1 
and Scope 2 the energy from 
offices where we are sole 
occupants, where we directly 
procure the utilities or have a 
separate meter feed. Offices 
where we do not have access to 
our energy consumption data is 
included within Scope 3, as per 
greenhouse gas reporting guidance.

Using our influence
We	continued	to	influence	policymakers,	
regulators and other companies to take steps 
consistent with the ‘Paris’ objective.

As co-chair of the COP26 Business Leaders 
Group, Michelle Scrimgeour, CEO of our 
investment management business, represented 
Legal	&	General	in	Glasgow.	During	2021,	
we joined a number of initiatives which either 
demonstrate progress made, or set out our 
ambition for further progress:

• 

the UK Government’s Get Nature Positive 
campaign, in recognition of the role that 
protecting and restoring biodiversity will play 
in creating a more sustainable future.

•  as one of the 236 members of the Net Zero 
Asset Managers’ Alliance, we were part of 
that body’s announcement that $4.2 trillion 
of assets are now being managed in line 
with achieving net zero by 2050.
the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero, 
contributing towards its commitment of 
$130	trillion	in	private	capital	to	finance	
the economic transition to net zero.

• 

Operational carbon footprint
Our operational carbon footprint is detailed 
below and includes the carbon footprint from 
the operations we directly control, including 
the energy consumed:

• 
• 
• 

in	our	core	occupied	offices.
from our landlord activities. 
from the construction of new homes 
within our housing businesses, including 
joint ventures.

During 2021 we have taken steps towards our 
net zero targets: 

•  business travel: whilst the carbon from our 
2021 business travel has remained lower 
(71%) than in 2019, due to Covid-19 
restrictions, we have still accounted for the 
carbon impact of our employees’ journeys 
associated with business travel. We 
relaunched our business travel policy, 
focusing on sustainable modes of transport 
and enhancing our business travel booking 
system to enable users to understand the 
carbon associated with their journey and 
therefore make informed and sustainable 
travel choices.

•  occupied offices: we undertook net zero 

carbon	audits	of	our	core	occupied	offices,	
the outputs of which will feed into our future 
of work strategy, with the aim of achieving net 
zero emissions from 2030.

•  renewable energy: several of our businesses 
were impacted by energy suppliers ceasing 
to trade and as a result our Scope 2 - Market-
based emissions have increased.

During 2022 and 2023 we expect our operational 
footprint to increase due to the recovery from 
Covid-19, as working patterns change and 
business travel increases. 

However we will continue to manage and reduce 
the carbon emissions from our operational 
footprint	through	identifying	efficiencies	and	
improvements in technology, increasing the 
consumption of onsite and offsite renewable 
energy,	designing	and	building	energy-efficient	
homes and buildings, and seeking to better 
understand and manage our need to travel 
for business.

Operational footprint 
(Scope 1 and 2 location) 

Purpose: Measures the greenhouse gases associated 
with our direct operations.

30,706
tCO2e1

(2020: 31,640 tCO2e)2

Due	to	the	impact	of	Covid-19	it	is	difficult	to	draw	meaningful	
comparisons between 2021 and 2020. Whilst carbon from LGIM 
Real Assets has decreased due to the implementation of Covid-19 
restrictions, our housing businesses continued to grow at pace and 
completed 1,030 more homes in 2021 than in 2020. Please refer 
to page 236 for our mandatory carbon reporting disclosures and 
further detail on our Scope 1 and Scope 2 footprint.

1. 

 Our total Scope 1, Scope 2 (location) and Scope 2 (market) emissions have been 
subject to independent limited assurance by PwC. The basis of preparation 
(or reporting criteria) for our group carbon footprint is available at group.
legalandgeneral.com/sustainabilityreports and PwC’s assurance report 
is available in our 2021 climate report: group.legalandgeneral.com/reports 

2.  2020 figure restated from 35,482. Refer to page 236 for further details.

44

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Other information

Summary disclosure against TCFD recommendations 

Strategy

Climate-related risks 
and opportunities 

Impact on our 
businesses, strategy 
and financial planning

Resilience based on 
scenarios, including a 
2°C or lower scenario

Governance

The Board’s role in 
oversight 

•  There are undoubtedly risks from climate change, yet the transition to net zero also creates opportunities. 

Our	business	model	is	not	expected	to	be	significantly	disrupted	by	climate	change,	however	the	financial,	operational	
and reputational risks which we manage will be impacted.

•  As the response to climate change emerges so will the development of new markets and opportunities. We are 

well placed to play a role in the decarbonisation of the economy and we are already embracing the opportunities 
in many areas.

•  As one of our six strategic growth drivers, we have built a three-pillar approach to address climate change: how we 
invest	our	assets,	how	we	influence	as	an	asset	manager	and	how	our	businesses	operate.	Our	proprietary	model	
on climate change is used to quantify the potential impacts of climate change on our portfolio.

•  Through our scenario analysis, including ‘Well-below 2°C’ and ‘4°C’ scenarios, we believe that we will remain resilient 

despite the scale of adjustments that will need to be undertaken over the coming decades.

•  Given	that	our	exposure	is	largely	through	financial	assets,	many	of	which	are	listed,	we	have	the	flexibility	to	adapt	

by trading to the desired carbon position. We mainly hold investment grade bonds, so the price risk is substantially lower 
compared	to	investors	with	portfolios	holding	a	larger	exposure	to	equities.	The	balance	sheet	is	well	diversified	across	
different sectors and we actively manage our credit portfolio.

•  The Board is accountable for the long-term stewardship of the group. It has delegated oversight of the management 

of climate-related risks to the Group Environment Committee (GEC) through the Group Risk Committee and Executive 
Risk Committee. We appointed a Group Climate Change Director and Non-Executive Director with a focus on climate 
in 2021.

Management’s role in 
assessing risks and 
opportunities

•  The GEC is chaired by the Group Climate Change Director and is responsible for providing strategic direction in respect 
of	the	management	of	environmental	impacts,	with	a	particular	focus	on	the	group’s	management	of	the	financial	risks	
from climate change. 

Risk management

Processes for 
identifying and 
assessing climate-
related risks

•  Climate change impacts will emerge through our current risk exposures and climate risk management has been 

integrated into our risk and governance framework. We have used scenario analysis to carry out a detailed assessment 
of how we can expect climate risk to emerge across our business model.

•  We identify transition risk impacts on asset valuation and the economy as a result of the low-carbon economy 

transition, and physical risks from the impacts on asset holdings or changes to life insurance liabilities as a result 
of more frequent and severe weather events and longer-term shifts in climate.

Processes for managing 
climate-related risks

•  We deploy a range of management actions to meet our risk management objectives, namely: a commitment-setting 

framework with supporting interim targets, our exclusion policy and high carbon escalation process, reviewing existing 
frameworks to incorporate climate considerations, and active engagement with regulators and investee companies.

How we integrate these 
risks into our overall risk 
management

•  The	group’s	climate	governance	has	been	designed	to	ensure	that	the	management	of	the	financial	risks	from	

climate change are integrated across the whole governance system and embedded into the existing risk 
management framework.

Metrics and targets

Internal metrics

•  Our metrics support our commitment to align with the ‘Paris’ 1.5°C objective. We focus on our investment portfolio 

carbon intensity, implied portfolio temperature alignment and operational carbon footprint. 

•  We	also	measure	our	engagement	with	investee	companies	to	ensure	we	continue	to	exert	our	influence	consistently	

and widely across markets.

Greenhouse gas 
emissions

•  Our Scope 1 and 2 (location) operational emissions were 13,350 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) and 17,356 
tCO2e	respectively.	Our	Scope	3	non-investment	emissions	(business	travel,	working	from	home	and	serviced	offices)	
were 5,466 tCO2e. Our Scope 3 investment emissions were 74 tCO2e/£m. 

Targets

•  We have set group balance sheet carbon intensity targets to align with ‘Paris’, targeting net zero carbon emission 

intensity in the group portfolio by 2050.

•  Our operational footprint is targeted to operate with net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

A sustainable business

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

45

A sustainable business 
continued

We look forward to 
working together to create 
an outstanding innovation 
district which will play a 
large role in helping the 
UK to build back better.”

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell
President and Vice-Chancellor of 
The University of Manchester 

SDG Contribution

Building a better society
Our success as a business depends on a 
resilient society and a strong economy. As 
communities began to recover from Covid-19 
in 2021, the importance of our efforts to build 
a better society became more pronounced 
than ever.

We are committed to making investments and 
managing money in ways which are socially 
useful. This year we shaped our response around 
the need to continue supporting communities 
affected by Covid-19, while thinking ahead to 
future social needs and continuing to tackle 
the most pressing issues facing us today.

which we gained planning permission in 2021 
will be affordable. The use of air source heat 
pumps, photovoltaic cells and high-quality 
building standards will place the homes in 
the top 1% nationally for energy performance. 
Meanwhile, our 153 modular homes planned 
at Broadstairs, Kent will have public amenity 
added in the form of 8,500 new trees.

Our £1 billion, 2,750-home plan for North 
Horsham, Sussex saw us bring together our 
affordable, suburban build to rent and modular 
housing	businesses	for	the	first	time	in	a	
multi-tenure site, with a school and other 
community amenities. 

The housing crisis affects people of all age groups, 
and there is a shortage of age-appropriate homes 
for	older	people	in	the	UK.	Our	Millfield	Green	
retirement community in Bedfordshire will 
provide 200 such homes within a net zero 
development, using ground source heat pump 
technology from Kensa, an investee company, to 
reduce running costs and emissions and insulate 
residents against energy price rises.

A new partnership between our real assets 
business and “believe housing” will fund 1,200 
new	affordable	homes	in	the	next	five	years	in	
the north-east of England. Meanwhile, in Leeds 
city centre, the new £57 million Tower Works 
development sees us funding a development 
site through our build to rent fund. In Manchester, 
we are partnering with Bruntwood and the 
University of Manchester to deliver a new 
£1.5 billion innovation district covering four 
million square feet in the city centre.

Our work to build a better society has focused 
on	five	key	areas:

• 

investing in solutions to the housing crisis 
and regenerating our towns and cities.

•  supporting healthcare systems and 

partnering on research.

•  helping young people in the aftermath 

of Covid-19.

•  working with social enterprises.
• 

funding community groups and supporting 
our employees’ activities.

Housing and city regeneration
We are tackling the housing crisis by investing 
in affordable housing, alongside our mainstream 
build to rent and build to sell businesses. By 
investing institutional capital at scale, we are 
able to provide safe, secure, affordable housing 
where it is most needed.

During 2021, our affordable homes business 
announced its pipeline stood at 5,500 homes 
across the UK. In July 2021, our modular 
housing	business	opened	its	first	show	homes	
at the Portholme development in Selby, including 
up to 30% affordable housing. At our Lockleaze, 
Bristol site, 50% of the 185 modular homes for 

Building 
ESG skills

We launched the ESG Academy 
in November 2020 and continued 
to build the offering in 2021, with 
resources aimed at a wide range 
of role types, drawing on external 
and in-house expertise. 

The programme features online 
learning, webinars and talks and 
is available for everyone in our 
investment management business. 

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Other information

We believe that business 
can be a force for good 
in society if we work to 
identify areas where we 
can positively impact 
people’s lives. That is the 
aim of the partnership.”

Pete Gladwell
Group Social Impact and 
Investment Director, 
Legal	&	General	Capital,	
commenting on our IHE 
partnership. 

SDG Contribution

Supporting healthcare systems and 
partnering on research
Building resilience to future pandemics is a 
critical element of ensuring future social and 
economic stability.

mentoring and networks in businesses including 
Legal	&	General.	The	programme	is	purposefully	
targeted to those sections of the community 
which have traditionally been less able to access 
such opportunities.

We supported the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards’ 
Youth Without Limits strategy, designed to widen 
accessibility of the scheme to more young 
people. The focus of our support was in south 
Wales and north-eastern England.

Working with social enterprises
Our support for small social enterprises this 
year took the form of the SE-Assist programme, 
run by CAF Venturesome, the Charities Aid 
Foundation’s social enterprise arm. Supported 
by	Legal	&	General,	SE-Assist	awarded	£300,000	
in	blended	finance	to	social	enterprises	across	
Wales	–	the	fifth	round	of	such	investments.

Funding community groups and 
supporting our employees’ activities
We have continued to support our employees’ 
fundraising and volunteering efforts through 
matched funding schemes. The total donated 
to UK charities including through company 
matching during 2021 was £1.3 million, including 
over £90,000 in funding to charities with income 
below £1.5 million in our Small Donations campaign. 
In the US, our charity drive raised over $800,000.

In the UK, we continued our partnership with the 
Samaritans, where our funding supported the 
expansion of the charity’s training programmes. 
We were headline sponsors of the charity’s 
inaugural Dawn Walk, which raised £60,000.

In June 2021 we announced a long-term 
partnership with University College London 
epidemiologist Sir Michael Marmot, with the 
objective of creating a multi-million pound 
charitable	fund.	The	Legal	&	General	and	Institute	
of Health Equity (IHE) Places Fund will examine 
how improvements to the design and construction 
of our towns and cities can help to address health 
inequalities and support ‘levelling up’ across the 
UK’s regions.

In November 2021 we broke ground on the 
Life and Mind Building, part of our £4 billion 
partnership with the University of Oxford. 
The new facility will be the university’s largest 
teaching building and support scientists working 
in biology and psychology to solve some of our 
major global challenges.

We continue to support the University of 
Edinburgh’s Advanced Care Research Centre 
(ACRC),	which	aims	to	find	solutions	that	
support the quality of life for older people.

Helping young people after Covid-19
The pandemic, with its knock-on effects on 
education and employment, hit young people 
particularly hard. We continued to support 
them in accessing education and in providing 
opportunities to develop skills to access 
employment.

We built on our position as founding partners 
in the digital and business skills programme, 
FastFutures, increasing our investment by 
£100,000 this year. We funded three additional 
cohorts, providing young people from 
underrepresented backgrounds with the 
opportunity to access online learning, 

New ways 
of working

In 2021 we launched the Critical Capabilities 
programme, with the aim of helping our 
employees understand, articulate and act 
on the possibilities of technology, data and 
new ways of working. The programme seeks 
to develop technical and behavioural skills 
and is based on a hybrid blend of workshops, 
practical activity, thought leadership and 
self-directed content. 

(Pictured: Jethro Escobar-young, Customer Contact Advisor)

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47

A sustainable business 
continued

Empowering our employees 
to build networks 
We support employee 
representative groups focused 
on a range of joint interests 
relating to D&I. These include:

•  The Ability Working Group 
•  Culture Club (ethnicity)
•  Disability Network 
•  Family and Carers Exchange 
(parental status and carer 
status)

•  Gender balance 
•  Health and wellbeing 
•  L&GBT+ Allies (sexual 

orientation and gender identity) 

•  Neurodiversity 
•  Socio-economic mobility 
•  Women and Tech

SDG Contribution

Growing our business 
responsibly

Diversity and inclusion (D&I)
Diverse workforce, inclusive workplace: 
our diversity and inclusion vision
Our vision is to build a workplace where we can 
all perform at our best, no matter who we are. 

There is a clear ethical and commercial logic 
to ensuring everyone is given the conditions in 
which to succeed. Not only is it the right thing 
to do, but we believe that diversity of experience 
brings diversity of thought and perspective, which 
in turn drives greater proximity to customers, 
better-informed decisions, and a culture which 
more readily embraces innovation.

Our vision, our action plan and measuring our 
progress are the responsibility of our global 
Diversity and Inclusion Council, which reports to 
the Group Board and is chaired by Laura Mason, 
CEO of our capital investment business. 

More diversity, greater inclusion: progress 
on our action plan
A key focus for 2021 was continuing to build 
a better picture of our employee base, and to 
do this, we focused on increasing the quantity 
of characteristic data we hold on our employees. 
As this is shared with us on a discretionary basis, 
we ran a communication and engagement 
programme, ‘Count Me In’, encouraging 
employees to share information about their 
background (ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender 
identity, socio-economic background and others). 
During 2021, the rate of disclosure for ethnicity 
increased from 52.6% to 67.9%. Across all other 
characteristics, we saw an average 79% increase 
(from a lower average baseline of disclosure). 

During 2021, we:

focused on recruitment and early careers: 
•  conducted an audit of our recruitment 

practices to assess our maturity across 
a	range	of	D&I	characteristics	(including	
gender, age and ethnicity) to help us 
understand where improvements to our talent 
attraction and hiring approach can be made. 
We introduced anonymised CVs into our 
recruitment processes.

•  continued our support for the 

• 

#10000BlackInterns programme by providing 
internship opportunities at LGIM for 17 black 
students.
through our socio-economic mobility 
employee group, undertook a programme of 
engagement and outreach activities including 
mentoring students from under-represented 
backgrounds through our partnership with 
Kingston University’s Beyond Barriers 
Mentoring Scheme.

continued to train line managers on D&I:
•  piloted a new inclusive line management 

• 

programme with 100 managers.
introduced	D&I	basics	learning	(the	‘inclusion	
accelerator’)	–	a	digital	learning	programme	
for line managers based on short learning 
sprints,	covering	key	D&I	themes.	Among	the	
100 leaders who have been through this pilot, 
understanding	of	core	D&I	concepts	(bias,	
micro-messages and working inclusively) 
increased by 95%.

widened opportunities for employees:
• 

launched a global mentoring platform, which 
saw	over	370	people	register	in	the	first	three	
months; developed reverse mentoring for our 
senior leadership teams, giving them an 
opportunity to learn from more junior employees.

•  continued to support our employee 

representative groups. Three new groups 
were launched: Women and Tech; the Ability 
Working Group; and an inclusion network for 
those in our insurance business. 

We also issued internal communications 
celebrating Inclusion Week, Black History Month, 
Pride Month and International Women’s Day; 
continued to tell diverse employee stories through 
the ‘Our Story’ campaign; and had the Chairman 
of our Board participate in a Listening Project 
focus group, where he heard from employees 
about their lived experience of diversity and 
inclusion	at	Legal	&	General.	

Measuring our progress
In our most recent group-wide employee survey 
(Voice), our people gave us a favourable score 
of 75% when asked if everyone has an equal 
chance	to	succeed	at	Legal	&	General	–	level	
with our 2020 score. 

Through the Women In Finance Charter, we have 
committed to achieving overall workforce gender 
balance by 2025; 40% female representation 
among managers and senior managers; and 33% 
female representation on our Board. We support 
the FCA’s recent consultation on increasing 
Board representation for women to 40%.

Legal & General’s workforce

Female

Male

Board directors

Executive Committee

Middle/senior management

All employees

As at 31 December 2021

3

3

1,570

4,779

7

9

2,769

5,964

This year, we additionally committed to 
achieving 8% representation for ethnic minority 
employees among senior leaders and on our 
Group Board, both of which we achieved during 
2021 (at 12% and 20% respectively).

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Strategic report

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Financial statements

Other information

We continue to pursue external benchmarking 
and	recognition	of	our	D&I	efforts.	We	achieved	
a Bloomberg Gender Equality Index Score of 
79.06% with a disclosure score of 100%. We also 
attained the level of ‘Advanced Employer’ in the 
Investing in Ethnicity Maturity Matrix, 
recognising our commitment and progress to 
ensure equal opportunity and representation, 
regardless of ethnicity.

Our communications focused on the importance 
of normalising discussions about mental health, 
and included personal testimonials from our 
Chief	Technology	Officer	and	a	wellbeing-
themed conversation between Jeff Davies, 
Group	Chief	Financial	Officer	and	executive	
sponsor for wellbeing, and Sir Nigel Wilson, 
Group	Chief	Executive	Officer,	which	was	
published on our intranet. 

Our efforts to support employee wellbeing were 
recognised by the City Mental Health Alliance’s 
award of an ‘Excelling’ accreditation mark in its 
annual Thriving at Work assessment. 

We take a data-driven approach to managing 
workplace mental health. We draw insights from 
a range of sources including our Voice surveys 
(see page 50) and sickness and other employee 
data and use these to inform our existing 
strategies and policies on topics including 
diversity	and	inclusion,	stress	and	flexible	
working, among others. 

In response to employee feedback, we launched 
our	first	menopause	policy	in	2021,	covering	all	
employees in our core UK businesses and 
setting out our approach to supporting those 
experiencing the menopause. 

Employee engagement
Keeping our people connected and informed
During 2021 we built on the progress made 
during 2020 in keeping our employees informed 
about	life	at	Legal	&	General	and	connected	with	
our corporate purpose. We continued to focus 
on managing the impacts of Covid-19, with 
communications to keep employees informed 
about the practical measures taken to keep 
them safe, and new messages developed and 
communicated about our future hybrid ways 
of working. 

Ongoing remote or hybrid working has presented 
the risk of erosion of organisational culture and, 
to mitigate this, we increased our efforts to 
communicate our corporate purpose to our 
employees. We continued to deliver virtual town 
halls, both at a divisional and group level, including 
for our full-year results, and launched a new video 
series,	‘Your	Question	Time’,	in	which	employees	
are invited to ask members of the Executive 
Committee questions of interest. The recordings 
are shared on the corporate intranet. Topics 
covered include wellbeing, inclusive capitalism 
and emerging technology. 

Gender pay gap 
In 2021 we again saw a continued, progressive 
narrowing of our median pay gap, from 26.6% 
to 24.1%, with positive movement in all our 
reportable entities. 

Please see our separate gender pay gap report 
for full data and commentary. 

Gender 
pay gap

2021  
Mean

2021 
Median

2020  
Mean

2020 
Median

Hourly pay

26.3%

24.1%

30.8%

26.6%

Bonus

53.1%

42.1%

48.0%

40.6%

Employee wellbeing
Supporting our employees’ wellbeing 
If 2020 was characterised by protecting our 
employees from the physical and mental wellbeing 
threat of Covid-19, 2021 was a year in which we 
supported them through a safe return to workplaces 
and continued to offer support on both physical 
and mental wellbeing. 

For those employees accessing or returning to 
our workplaces, we continued to apply safety 
measures in line with government guidance, 
including social distancing, sanitisation, 
temperature	checks	and	providing	lateral	flow	
tests (before these were made available on the 
NHS in the UK). Throughout the return to the 
office,	we	worked	in	partnership	with	the	trade	
union Unite and our own management 
consultative forum. 

A commitment to mental health
We are committed to supporting our people 
with their mental health. This includes providing 
a safe and open environment where colleagues 
feel empowered to speak up about any mental 
health challenges they may be facing. Therefore, 
communicating our mental health provision to 
employees remained a focus during 2021. We 
marked Mental Health Awareness Week in the 
UK and US, as well as World Mental Health Day, 
with internal communications. All of these were 
opportunities to remind employees about our 
support offering:

•  our	network	of	100	mental	health	first	aiders.
•  our partnership with market-leading mental 

health app Unmind.

•  our employee assistance programme 

and private healthcare provision.

We are committed to 
supporting our people 
with their mental health. 
This includes not only 
providing services and 
help for those who suffer 
directly with mental 
ill-health, but also 
creating a safe and open 
environment where 
employees feel supported, 
connected and engaged 
in meaningful work. It is 
also important that we 
tackle stigma by 
empowering them to 
speak up about any 
mental health challenges 
they are facing.”

Sir Nigel Wilson
Group	Chief	Executive	Officer	

Gender pay gap report
Our 2021 gender pay gap report is 
available on our group website. See: 
group.legalandgeneral.com/reports

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A sustainable business 
continued

In our November 2021 employee 
survey (Voice), 83% of employees 
either agreed or strongly agreed 
with the statement “I can get the 
support I need from my line 
manager” (up 1% vs 2020). 70% 
agreed or strongly agreed with 
the statement “My overall level of 
personal wellbeing is good” (a new 
measure for 2021). 

The operation of our core offices 
is managed via a health and safety 
system aligned with ISO45001 and 
audited by the consultancy RPS. 

Listening to our people’s views
During 2021 we issued two Voice surveys. With 
our focus shifting from managing the acute 
pandemic crisis to planning for a post-lockdown 
future, we consulted with our employees through 
bespoke ‘future of work’ surveys in March 2021. 
The insights and data gathered, supplemented 
by stakeholder interviews and engagement with 
employee representatives, helped inform our 
planning for the post-Covid workplace. 

More information on employee engagement 
can be found in an update from Lesley Knox, 
our designated workforce director, on page 74. 

Learning and development
Empowering our people to perform 
at their best
We are committed to empowering our people 
to perform at their best in their role today, 
develop in their career tomorrow and connect 
with peers to drive business performance.

This approach to learning and development 
informed our activity during 2021. We routinely 
identify opportunities for our people through:

•  our strategic workforce planning process, 
which	defines	our	future	capability	needs	
and aligns these with our business and 
financial	plans.

•  use of employee feedback, received both 

through direct conversation with our talent 
and development practitioners and through 
our employee survey, Voice.

•  applying qualitative and quantitative impact 

analysis from previous learning interventions 
and business metrics to shape future 
programmes.

We apply this methodology to help us build a 
data-led, consistent development experience 
for all our employees. It also helps us to focus 
on driving our four strategic outcomes:

• 

leaders who deliver change and business 
results through inclusive leadership. This year, 
we launched Thriving, a global leadership 
programme, to three cohorts of leaders.
•  employees who can access talent and 

development experiences in a straightforward 
way. We appointed a new managed learning 
service provider to enable this.

•  a workforce which consists of future-ready 
professionals with the skills they need both 
now and in future. In 2021, we rolled out the 
Critical	Capabilities	programme	–	see	page	47	
for more.

•  a performance-driven culture characterised 

by high levels of trust and challenge.

Supply chain
A sustainable supply chain
We believe that the sustainability of our supply 
chain goes beyond risk avoidance: it is also 
about positive impact, for people and the planet. 
We recognise the importance that deepening 
our understanding of the impacts our supply 
chain can have, as well as improving procurement 
professionals’ knowledge of sustainability. In 
2021 we engaged third-party experts to help us 
build and deliver training to procurement team 
members and supplier relationship managers 
to help us adapt what we procure and how we 
source; scrutinise our procurement partners; 
and	influence	our	suppliers	to	improve.

Alongside this activity, we took steps to improve 
elements of our supply chain governance. 
We	further	refined	our	sustainable	sourcing	
principles statement to aid ease of use, make the 
case for the importance of sustainable sourcing 
and provide tangible actions. This has created 
what we consider to be a more compelling 
document which will engage and inspire people 
in our business to become part of our 
sustainable sourcing mission.

We also completely redesigned our supplier 
questionnaire on corporate responsibility. This 
incorporates 35 questions on themes including 
firms’	carbon	reduction	intentions,	deforestation,	
the circular economy, living wages and working 
hours,	D&I	and	social	enterprises.	The	use	of	
question	targeting,	scoring	and	weighting	–	
alongside	guidance	notes	–	helps	us	to	assess	
results and therefore pre-qualify and score 
suppliers and ‘request for proposal’ responses. 
The revised questionnaire will be used with our 
supplier relationship management teams to 
ensure that any in-contract risks are captured 
and monitored, along with the maturity of our 
supply chain.

Employee 
satisfaction index 

Purpose: Measures employee satisfaction in response 
to the statement “I am happy working at Legal & General”

76%

(2020: 77%)

77% of employees took part in the fourth quarter Voice survey, 
providing 27,684 individual comments. Our employee satisfaction 
score fell by one point to 76 compared to October 2020, although 
it remains above pre-pandemic levels (74 in March 2020). Our 
research indicates that our employees have adapted well to 
changes in the way we work, enabled by their line managers, 
but work-life balance remains a challenge for some.

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We have become an active member of the 
Supplier Diversity Council UK with the goal of 
providing practical guidelines and support on 
implementing a supplier diversity programme 
which is inclusive of all.

Modern slavery and human rights
We believe that setting and progressing a clear 
strategy, as well as working in partnership with 
suppliers, is key to addressing and eliminating 
modern slavery from supply chains.

We have created a risk assessment process 
which we will complete for the remainder of our 
supply chain, allowing us to categorise each key 
supplier, strategic partner or contractor based on 
modern slavery risk criteria.

Alongside Stronger Together, we delivered 
training to 40 of our suppliers on spotting signs 
of modern slavery in their own operations and 
supply chain.

Our human rights policy, published in 2020, sets 
out our position on these issues in our own 
operation and our supply chain. We support the 
principles set out in the UN Guiding Principles 
on Business and Human Rights; the International 
Bill of Human Rights; and the International 
Labour Organization’s (ILO) Core Conventions.

Anti-bribery and corruption
We will not tolerate any person acting on behalf 
of the group participating in any form of corrupt 
practice and we will not accept, promise, offer 
or give anything that may be considered a bribe. 
Our	financial	crime	risk	policy	applies	across	
the group and mandates that controls are put 
in place to detect and prevent such activity. 
Controls include an annual bribery and corruption 
risk assessment; regular training; due diligence 
measures; reporting of suspicions of bribery 
and corruption; and the control and approval 
of giving and receiving of gifts and hospitality, 
political and charitable donations, and corporate 
sponsorship.

Responsible investing
Our position as a leading asset manager gives 
us	an	opportunity	to	influence	other	companies’	
approaches to meeting their ESG obligations.

Climate change remains a dominant theme of 
engagement, as we continue to hold companies 
to account on their progress to net zero. 
Alongside this, we are committed to stepping 
up action on the interrelated issues of 
deforestation and biodiversity loss, as outlined 
in our biodiversity policy and our deforestation 
commitment.

In 2021, our investment management business 
continued to actively engage in sustainability 
policy dialogue with policy-makers and 
regulators around the world, primarily with 
leaders in UK, EU, US, Japanese and Australian 
markets. Topics have ranged from strengthening 
transparency	across	sustainable	finance	and	the	
improvement and harmonisation of disclosure 
standards, to minority shareholder rights and 
supporting policies that credibly deliver on the 
transition to net zero.

We have further deepened our commitment to 
gender diversity, taking it beyond the board level 
to ensure the largest companies in the US and 
UK also have a minimum of one female on the 
Executive Committee. We will begin voting in line 
with this expectation in 2022.

Following our support of the Parker review on 
diversity on UK boards, 2022 will see us applying 
voting sanctions against large UK and US 
companies with no board members from 
an ethnic minority background.

Good health is the basis on which social 
wellbeing and economic prosperity are built. 
In 2022, we will continue to promote awareness 
and action on antimicrobial resistance, access 
to medicine and access to nutrition. This includes 
a	willingness	to	file	or	co-file	shareholder	
resolutions, as recently demonstrated at Moderna. 
Inequality and health are interconnected; through 
our ongoing work on income inequality we are 
increasingly emphasising the importance of 
employee wellbeing.

Publicly pre-declaring our vote intentions is 
an important tool for our engagement activities. 
2021	was	the	first	year	LGIM	centralised	the	
reporting of our vote intentions in advance of 
a company’s AGM.

Non-financial and sustainability 
reporting statement
Under sections 414CA and 414CB 
of the Companies Act 2006, we are 
required to include in our strategic 
report a non-financial information 
statement.

This section of the strategic report 
(pages 42 to 51) provides the 
following information required 
to be included in the non-financial 
information statement:

•  environmental matters
•  our employees
•  social matters
•  human rights
•  anti-corruption and bribery.

In addition, other required 
information can be found on 
the following pages:

•  business model (pages 12 

to 17)

•  principal risks and how they are 

managed (pages 52 to 59)
•  non-financial key performance 
indicators (pages 42 to 51).

Details of relevant policies, due 
diligence processes, the outcome 
of these policies and processes, and 
our non-financial key performance 
indicators are contained 
throughout the strategic report.

Our non-financial and sustainability 
reporting statement focuses on 
the stakeholders and issues that 
are important for us to deliver on 
our purpose of inclusive capitalism.

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51

Managing risk

In focusing beyond pure 
financial measures of risk, 
our businesses can fulfil 
their social purpose.”

Chris Knight
Group	Chief	Risk	Officer

Overview
Understanding the risks that we are exposed 
to and deploying strategies to ensure residual 
exposures remain within acceptable parameters 
is an integral part of our business. Our risk 
management approach supports informed risk 
taking by our businesses, setting out those 
rewarded risks that we are prepared to be exposed 
to, together with risk limits and required standards 
of internal control to ensure exposures remain 
within our overall risk appetite.

As	well	as	managing	financial	and	operational	
risks to our businesses, our risk framework 
considers broader factors including the delivery 
of good customer outcomes and the threats from 
climate	change.	In	focusing	beyond	pure	financial	
measures of risk, we enable our businesses to 
fulfil	their	social	purpose.	

We seek to deeply embed the necessary 
capabilities to assess and price for those risks 
that we believe offer sustainable returns within 
each of our operating businesses, as well as 
ensuring the skill sets to closely manage those 
risk factors which could otherwise lead to 
unexpected outcomes.

Our straightforward, collaborative and 
purposeful behaviours underpin the operation 
of our risk framework, and support a culture 
of openness and transparency in how we 
make decisions and manage risks, balancing 
performance with principles to do what is right.

Finding what you need online
Detailed information can be found 
in our risk management supplement.

Please visit:
group.legalandgeneral.com/reports

Our risk section is organised into the following subsections:

Our risk landscape
The risks that are inherent in our business 
arising from:

• 
• 

• 

the products we write
the investments we hold to meet 
our obligations
the business environment in which 
we operate.

Risk appetite
Our quantitative and qualitative expressions 
for the types of risk to which we are 
prepared to be exposed.

Alongside the minimum capital 
requirements that we wish to maintain and 
the degree of volatility of earnings we wish 
to avoid, we set a range of tolerances and 
limits	for	our	material	financial	and	other	
risk exposures.

Risk management 
framework
Our formal framework for monitoring our 
risk landscape and ensuring that we are only 
exposed to those residual risks for which we 
have an appetite.

Our framework seeks to reinforce the 
parameters of acceptable risk taking, allowing 
business managers to make decisions and take 
opportunities that are consistent with our risk 
appetite.

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Other information

Our risk landscape

Our risk landscape comprises asset, insurance, 
operational and business related risks. Our 
largest risk exposures are to credit and longevity. 

Asset risks 
Market, credit and counterparty risks arise from holding portfolios of 
assets, including property, to meet our obligations to our customers and 
to deliver returns to shareholders. Liquidity risks also arise from holding 
illiquid assets and from investment market conditions. Interest rates and 
inflation	are	also	risk	factors.	

Insurance risks
Longevity, mortality and other insurance risks are transferred to us 
by the customers of our pension risk transfer, annuities and protection 
businesses. The period that customers continue their policies is also 
important	for	profitability,	as	is	our	ability	to	control	product	expenses	
in line with pricing assumptions. 

Credit risk largely arises in our portfolio of corporate bonds and within 
our direct investment portfolio. As an investor for the long term, 
assessing and managing credit risk is a core competency, and alongside 
setting a range of tolerances to diversify our portfolios, we seek to 
continuously track a variety of risk factors that could adversely 
impact credit markets.

Longevity risks arise in our pension risk transfer and retail annuity 
businesses.	Over	the	years	we	have	built	significant	expertise	in	
understanding and pricing for longevity, with a range of disciplines 

including actuarial, medical, public health, statistical analysis and 

modelling. Mortality, morbidity and policy lapse are inherent risks 
to our protection businesses, which we assess and price for.

Operational and business risks
Operational risks arise in respect of our business processes 
and IT systems, as well as broader regulatory and legislative 
risks that can arise in the environments in which we operate. 
All our businesses have inherent exposure to operational risk. 

Our risk management and internal control framework seeks to identify 
areas of potential weakness that could otherwise lead to customer 
detriment,	reputation	damage	or	financial	loss	and	ensure	that	
appropriate measures are in place to mitigate adverse outcomes. 

Our risk 
management 
approach 

 See	page	54

Where our businesses directly engage in house building and 
property development, we are exposed to risks associated with 

the management of construction projects, including health and 
safety risks. Alongside construction-related risks, wider safety risks 
arise in the operation of retirement villages and our affordable homes 
businesses. The management of health and safety and the broader 
risks of building safety are an integral part of our wider risk framework, 
with expertise in risk management embedded across our business 
operating model.

Risk appetite

Our risk appetite sets the ranges and limits 
of acceptable risk taking for the group as a 
whole. We express our overall attitude to risk 
using the statements and measures in the 
table opposite. 

We set further risk tolerances covering our 
specific	exposures	to	market,	credit,	
insurance, and operational risks including, 
where appropriate, limits on concentrations 
and	significant	aggregation	of	risks.	Our	risk	
appetite is used to govern the nature and 
quantity of risks that we are exposed to. 

Whether we are making a direct property 
investment or pricing a pension risk transfer 
deal, we use our risk management framework 
to	assess	the	risk	profile	and	potential	
rewards to ensure we continue to operate 
within the ranges of acceptable risk taking 
that we have set.

Strategy

We	manage	a	diversified	portfolio	in	which	we	accept	risk	in	the	normal	course	of	business	
and aim to deliver sustainable returns on risk-based capital in excess of the cost of capital.

Monitoring metric: minimum return on capital over the planning cycle. 

We have an appetite for risks we understand and are rewarded for, and which are consistent 
with delivery of our strategic objectives. 

Monitoring metric: maximum risk-based capital to be deployed over the planning cycle. 

Capital

We aim to maintain an appropriate buffer of capital resources over the minimum regulatory 
capital requirements. 

Monitoring metrics: capital coverage ratios. 

Earnings

We have a low appetite for volatility of earnings; in particular volatility arising from risks 
where	Legal	&	General	has	more	exposure	than	the	wider	market.	

Monitoring metric: maximum acceptable variance in earnings compared to plan.

Customer and 
reputation

We treat our customers with integrity and act in a manner that protects or enhances 
the group franchise.

Monitoring metric: customer and reputation risk dashboard.

Climate

We manage our businesses to align with the mitigation of climate change and to be resilient 
to the risk of different climate outcomes.

Monitoring metrics: investment portfolio decarbonisation and operational footprint 
decarbonisation.

Liquidity

We expect to be able to meet our payment and collateral obligations under extreme, 
but plausible, liquidity scenarios. 

Monitoring metric: minimum liquidity coverage ratio.

Managing risk

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

53

Managing risk 
continued

Risk management framework
Our risk management framework is summarised below. 

Risk appetite

Risk taking 
authorities

Risk policies

The documenting of the group’s overall attitude to risk and the ranges and limits 
of acceptable risk-taking. 

The formal cascade of our risk appetite to managers, empowering them to make decisions 
within	clearly	defined	parameters.	

Our strategies for managing the risks in the environments in which we operate, so as to 
ensure residual risk exposures are those within appetite. 

Risk identification 
and assessment

Tools that help managers identify and evaluate the risks to which we may be exposed 
so that they can be managed in line with our risk policies. 

Risk management 
information

How we report and review ongoing and emerging risks, and assess actual risk positions 
relative to the risk targets and limits that we set. 

Risk oversight

Review	and	challenge,	by	the	group	and	divisional	chief	risk	officer	teams,	of	how	we	
identify and manage risk. 

Risk committees 

Our structure of group-level committees oversees the management of risks and challenges 
how the risk framework is working. The role of the Group Risk Committee is set out on 
pages 92 and 93.

Culture and 
reward 

Performance measures that focus on the delivery of effective risk management, business 
and customer strategy, and culture.

We operate a three lines of defence risk 
governance model:

•  first,	our	operating	businesses	are	

responsible for risk taking within the 
parameters of our risk appetite and 
accountable for managing risks in line with 
risk policies. The skills to assess and price 
for	risk	form	part	of	our	first	line	business	
management activity. For example, in 
our pension risk transfer and annuities 
businesses, we have a deep understanding 
of longevity risk and the science of life 
expectancy. LGIM, as one of the world’s 
largest asset managers, has extensive 
business expertise in managing credit risk. 

Within our insurance business, as the UK’s 
largest provider of individual life cover, we 
have extensive knowledge of mortality and 
morbidity risks.

•  second, our risk oversight function under 

the	direction	of	our	Group	Chief	Risk	Officer.	
The team of risk professionals provides our 
businesses with expert advice and guidance 
on risk and capital management, alongside 
ensuring risk taking remains within 
acceptable parameters.
third, our group internal audit function 
provides independent assurance on the 
effectiveness of business risk management 
and the overall operation of our risk framework.

• 

Own risk and solvency assessment 
(ORSA)
Our ORSA process is an ongoing analysis of the 
group’s	risk	profile	and	the	sufficiency	of	capital	
resources to sustain our business strategy over 
the plan horizon. The process, which covers the 
whole	group,	considers	how	the	financial	and	
broader business risks to which we are exposed 
may evolve over the planning cycle. Stress and 
scenario testing is an essential element of the 
ORSA. It is used to show us how key risk 
exposures respond to different risk factors, 
together with the sensitivity and the resilience 
of capital and earnings to a range of extreme but 
plausible events. The stress testing component 
of our framework assesses the effect of a move 
in one or more risk factors at a point in time. 
The scenario element considers group-wide 
multi-year projections of capital and earnings 
across a range of downside conditions in 
financial	markets,	demographics	and	the	
broader economy. The ORSA process is 
integrated into our business risk and capital 
management activities and aligned with the 
strategic planning process to inform forward- 
looking decision making. As such, it is a key 
business management tool.

Capital management 
Our risk-based capital model seeks to provide 
a quantitative assessment of the group’s risk 
exposures. It forms part of the suite of tools 
we use to evaluate our strategic plans, set risk 
appetite, allocate capital and evaluate product 
pricing. Our model is also used to assess 
significant	transactions,	including	large	pension	
risk transfer deals.

Our principal risks

Our	principal	risks	and	uncertainties	reflect	those	factors	that	may	threaten	the	business	model,	future	
performance, solvency or liquidity.

Our risk landscape Principal risks and uncertainties

Growth drivers

Asset risks

Investment market performance and conditions in the broader economy 
may	adversely	impact	earnings,	profitability	or	surplus	capital.

Insurance risks

In dealing with issuers of debt and other types of counterparty the group 
is	exposed	to	the	risk	of	financial	loss.

We fail to respond to the emerging threats from climate change for our 
investment portfolios and wider businesses.

Reserves and our assessment of capital requirements may require revision 
as a result of changes in experience, regulation or legislation.

Operational and 
business risks

Changes in regulation or legislation may have a detrimental effect 
on our strategy.

New entrants may disrupt the markets in which we operate

A material failure in our business processes or IT security may result 
in	unanticipated	financial	loss	or	reputation	damage.

The success of our operations is dependent upon the ability to attract 
and	retain	highly	qualified	professional	people

1, 2, 3

1, 2

3, 6

1,4

1, 2, 4

1, 3, 5

5

5

54

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Strategic report

Growth drivers
1.  Ageing demographics
2.  Globalisation of asset markets
3.  Investing in the real economy
4.  Welfare reforms
5.  Technological innovation
6.  Addressing climate change

See	pages	10	–	11	for	further	details.

Group Board 
viability statement

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Group Board viability statement
The group’s strategy is developed, and economic 
decisions are made, around meeting the long-term 
protection and savings needs of its customers, 
and around creating long-term value for customers 
and shareholders over a period of many years. 
This	reflects	the	group’s	business	and	investment	
models which combine managing credit, longevity 
and market risks over long-term relationships.

The group’s long-term prospects
The group’s prospects are primarily assessed 
through our strategic and planning processes. 
Performance against our annual strategic 
planning process is continuously monitored, 
and it underpins our business planning model. 
We consider the sustainability and resilience 
of our business model over the long-term 
(including strategic factors detailed on pages 
10 and 11, as well as longer term trends in areas 
such as technology and climate change), as 
our investment and insurance products and 
customer relationships are long-standing ones. 

The group is also subject to regulation and 
supervision, which requires us to manage and 
monitor solvency, liquidity and longer-term risks, 
to ensure that we can continue to meet our 
policyholder obligations.

This long-term prospect assessment is over 
a longer period than that over which the Board 
has assessed its viability.

Period of viability assessment
While the Board has considered adopting a 
longer	period,	it	believes	that	five	years	is	the	
most appropriate time-frame over which we 
should assess the long-term viability of the 
group, as required within provision 31 of the 
UK Corporate Governance Code. The following 
factors have been taken into account in making 
this decision:

•  We	have	reasonable	clarity	over	a	five-year	
period, allowing an appropriate assessment 
of our principal risks to be made; and
•  The assessment is underpinned by our 

business planning process, and so aligns 
to the period over which major strategic 
actions are typically delivered, and takes 
account of the potentially evolving economic 
environment and political and regulatory 
landscape during the relevant period. 

Our business planning process is an annual 
process and culminates in the production and 
review of the group’s business plan. Our plan 
is built up from divisional submissions, and 
considers	the	profitability,	liquidity,	cash	
generation and capital position of the group. 
This projection process involves setting 
a number of key assumptions, which are 
inherently volatile over a much longer reporting 
period such as foreign exchange rates, interest 
rates, economic growth rates, the continued 
optimisation of capital strategies for Solvency II, 
and the impact on the business environment 
of changes in regulation or similar events.

The Board carries out a detailed review of the 
draft plan at the Group Board’s annual strategy 
assessment, and amendments are made 
accordingly. Part of the Board’s role is to 
consider the appropriateness of any key 
assumptions made. The latest annual plan 
was approved in December 2021, resulting 
in	our	current	five-year	business	plan.

How we assessed our viability
The Board regularly considers the potential 
financial	and	reputational	impact	of	the	group’s	
principal risks (as set out on pages 56 to 59) 
on our ability to deliver the business plan. We 
regularly	refresh	our	principal	risks	to	reflect	
current market conditions and changes in our 
risk	profile,	and	as	a	result	we	have	included	the	
impact of climate change as one of our principal 
risks. In its assessment of viability, not just 
long-term prospects, the Board has taken into 
consideration all of the group’s principal risks, 
as	any	significant	change	in	the	risk	profile	or	
outlook of those principal risks, or inadequate 
mitigation,	could	have	a	significant	impact	
on the group’s viability over the assessment 
time-frame.

Quantitative	stress	and	scenario	testing	is	
undertaken to enable the Board to consider 
the group’s ability to respond to a number of 
plausible individual and combined shocks, both 
financial	and	operational,	which	could	adversely	
impact	the	profits,	capital	and	liquidity	projections	
in the group plan. For example, during 2021, the 
Board	considered	the	impacts	of	higher	inflation	
and interest rates, as well as a severe market 
event. The severe market event was set with 
reference to the Bank of England latest ‘Annually 
Cyclical	Scenario’,	but	modified	to	reflect	the	
group’s	underlying	risk	profile.	The	scenario	is	
broadly based on the Global Financial Crisis 

of 2008 for market risks exposures and 2002 
experience for rating transitions (downgrades 
and spreads). In addition, we have continued to 
consider the potential implications of Covid-19, 
and related longer-term trends, to our business 
model.

The scenarios tested showed that the group 
would	continue	to	have	sufficient	headroom	
to	maintain	viability	over	the	five	year	planning	
period, after taking into account mitigating 
actions to manage the impacts on capital and 
liquidity. This includes maintaining the group’s 
current dividend policy under the late cycle 
market shock scenario, but this and other 
commitments would be reassessed if the 
circumstances determined this to be necessary 
over the longer term. In response to a potential 
severe economic downturn, credible buffers 
and a suite of management actions are at the 
group’s disposal to maintain resilience and 
preserve the group’s viability. It is clearly possible 
that shocks could be more severe, occur sooner 
and/or last longer than we have currently 
considered plausible.

Additionally, reverse stress testing and 
contingency planning gives the Board a solid 
understanding of the group’s resilience to 
extremely severe scenarios which could threaten 
the group’s business model and viability. This 
analysis assists in identifying any mitigating 
actions that could be taken now, or triggers 
to put in place for future actions. Potential 
scenarios that were explored included severe 
capital market stresses, adverse regulatory 
changes, reputational and internal/external 
events causing falls in business volumes, and 
severely adverse claims experience. The results 
confirmed	that	the	group	remains	resilient	
to extreme stresses as a result of the risk 
management system in place and the diverse 
range of mitigating actions available, such as 
the raising of capital or reduction in the payment 
of dividends.

Our conclusion on viability
Following this assessment, taking into account 
the group’s current position and principal risks, 
the	Board	can	confirm	that	it	has	a	reasonable	
expectation that the group will continue in 
operation and meet its liabilities, as they fall due, 
over	a	viability	horizon	of	five	years.	The	Board’s	
five	year	viability	and	longer-term	prospects	
assessment is based upon information 
known today.

Group Board viability statement

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

55

Principal risks and uncertainties

The directors confirm that they have carried out a robust 
assessment of the emerging and principal risks facing the 
group, including those that would threaten its business 
model, future performance, solvency or liquidity.

The principal risks are set out below including details of how they have been managed 
or mitigated. Further details of the group’s inherent risk exposures are set out at Notes 7 
and	15	to	17	of	the	financial	statements.

Growth drivers
1.  Ageing demographics
2.  Globalisation of asset markets
3.  Investing in the real economy
4.  Welfare reforms
5.  Technological innovation
6.   Addressing climate change

Link to 
strategy

1,2,3

1, 2

Risks and uncertainties

Investment market performance and 
conditions in the broader economy may 
adversely	impact	earnings,	profitability	
or surplus capital. 
The	performance	and	liquidity	of	financial	
and property markets, interest rate 
movements	and	inflation	impact	the	
value of investments we hold in 
shareholders’ funds and to meet the 
obligations from insurance business; the 
movement in certain investments directly 
impacts	profitability.	Interest	rate	
movements	and	inflation	can	also	change	
the value of our obligations and although 
we seek to match assets and liabilities, 
losses can still arise from adverse 
markets. Falls in the risk free yield curve 
can also create a greater degree of 
inherent volatility to be managed in the 
Solvency II balance sheet, potentially 
impacting capital requirements and 
surplus capital. Falls in investment values 
can reduce our investment management 
fee income.

In dealing with issuers of debt and other 
types of counterparty, the group is 
exposed	to	the	risk	of	financial	loss.
Systemic corporate sector failures, or 
a major sovereign debt event, could, in 
extreme scenarios, trigger defaults 
impacting the value of our bond 
portfolios. Under Solvency II, a 
widespread widening of credit spreads 
and downgrades can also result in a 
reduction in our Solvency II balance sheet 
surplus, despite already setting aside 
significant	capital	for	credit	risk.	
We are also exposed to default risks in 
dealing with banking, money market and 
reinsurance counterparties, as well as 
settlement, custody and other bespoke 
business services. Default risk also arises 
where we undertake property lending, 
with exposure to loss if an accrued debt 
exceeds the value of security taken.

Risk management

Outlook

We cannot eliminate the downside impacts 
on	our	earnings,	profitability	or	surplus	
capital from investment market volatility 
and adverse economic conditions, although 
we seek to position our investment 
portfolios and wider business plans for 
a range of plausible economic scenarios 
and investment market conditions to ensure 
their resilience across a range of outcomes. 
This includes setting risk limits on 
exposures to different asset classes and 
where hedging instruments exist, we seek 
to	remove	interest	rate	and	inflation	risk	on	
a	financial	reporting	basis.

Our ORSA is integral to our risk 
management approach, supporting 
assessment	of	the	financial	impacts	of	risks	
associated with investment market volatility 
and adverse economic scenarios for our 
Solvency II balance sheet, capital 
sufficiency,	and	liquidity	requirements.

Whilst global and UK economic activity is 
returning to pre-pandemic levels, there 
remains	significant	uncertainty	in	respect	of	
the	impacts	of	inflation	on	the	sustainability	
of the recovery, particularly should current 
inflationary	pressures	become	deep	seated	
or from misjudged central bank monetary 
policies in response. Financial markets, as well 
as being impacted by the economic outlook 
also continue to be susceptible to shocks and 
re-appraisal of asset values from a range of 
other factors including geo-political crisis 
in eastern Europe; a collapse in China’s 
property sector; and the emergence of further 
Covid-19 variants that may be resistant to 
current vaccines. Within the UK, uncertainty 
persists in certain elements of commercial 
property markets, and within our construction 
businesses supply chain and labour shortages 
are evolving risks. Pages 178, 169 and 171 
respectively provide sensitivities to interest 
rates and exposures to worldwide equity 
markets and currencies.

We manage our exposure to downgrade 
and default risks within our bond portfolios, 
through setting selection criteria and 
exposure limits, and using LGIM’s global 
credit team’s capabilities to ensure risks are 
effectively controlled, where appropriate 
trading out to improve credit quality. In our 
property lending businesses, our loan 
criteria take account of borrower default and 
movements in the value of security. We 
manage our reinsurer exposures dealing 
only with those with a minimum A- rating at 
outset, setting rating based exposure limits, 
and where appropriate, taking collateral. 
Similarly, we seek to limit aggregate 
exposure to banking, money market and 
service providers. Whilst we manage risks 
to our Solvency II balance sheet, we can 
never eliminate downgrade or default risks, 
although we seek to hold a strong balance 
sheet that we believe to be prudent for a 
range of adverse scenarios.

Although the wider economy is recovering 
from the effects of global lockdowns, a range 
of industries have been directly impacted by 
Covid-19 disease control measures including 
the leisure, transport, travel and retail consumer 
cyclical sectors, with the risk of downgrade 
and default remaining particularly as 
governments withdraw economic support 
packages.	A	period	of	sustained	inflation	with	
increases in interest rates suppressing economic 
activity in sectors reliant on discretionary 
spending could compound the effects. 
Covid-19 related impacts for reinsurance 
counterparties also remains a risk factor, albeit 
we assess strongly rated reinsurer default to 
be a more remote risk. 

Details of our credit portfolios are on pages 
172 to 174.

56

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Strategic report

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Growth drivers
1.  Ageing demographics
2.  Globalisation of asset markets
3.  Investing in the real economy
4.  Welfare reforms
5.  Technological innovation
6.  Addressing climate change

Link to 
strategy

3, 6

1,4

Risks and Uncertainties

We fail to respond to the emerging threats 
from climate change for our investment 
portfolios and wider businesses.
As	a	significant	investor	in	financial	
markets, commercial real estate and 
housing, we are exposed to climate-
related transition risks, particularly should 
abrupt shifts in the political and 
technological landscape impact the value 
of those investment assets associated 
with higher levels of greenhouse gas 
emissions. Our interests in property 
assets may also expose us to physical 
climate change-related risks, including 
flood	risks.	We	are	also	exposed	to	the	
risk of adverse perceptions of the group 
and climate risk related litigation should 
our responses not align with environment, 
social and governance rating 
expectations. 

Reserves and our assessment of capital 
requirements may require revision as 
a result of changes in experience, 
regulation or legislation.
The pricing of long-term business 
requires the setting of assumptions 
for long-term trends in factors such as 
mortality, lapse rates, valuation interest 
rates, expenses and credit defaults as 
well as the availability of assets with 
appropriate returns. Actual experience 
may require recalibration of these 
assumptions, increasing the level 
of reserves and impacting reported 
profitability.	

Management estimates are also required 
in the derivation of Solvency II capital 
metrics. These include modelling 
simplifications	to	reflect	that	it	is	not	
possible to perfectly model the external 
environment. 

Forced changes in reserves can also 
arise from regulatory or legislative 
intervention impacting capital 
requirements	and	profitability.

Risk management

Outlook

Following COP26, we are still encouraged 
about the possibility of limiting global 
temperature rises to 1.5°C. However, this will 
require societal change on an unprecedented 
scale over the next decade. We are dependent 
on the delivery of policy actions and the 
climate	reduction	targets	of	the	firms	we	
invest in. The actions that the world is taking 
will also to some extent inform the actions that 
we can take.

Climate change and failure to transition to a 
low-carbon	economy	remains	a	significant	
risk that we believe has still to be fully priced in 
by	financial	markets,	with	delays	in	responding	
to the threats increasing the risk of sudden late 
policy action, leading to potentially large and 
unanticipated shifts in asset valuations for 
impacted industries.

Although	vaccines	have	had	a	significant	
effect in reducing mortality rates from the 
most recent variant of Covid-19, uncertainty 
remains to future virus mutations and their 
virulence,	the	long-term	efficacy	of	vaccines	
and the effects of ‘long Covid’ on morbidity. 
The deferral of some non-Covid-19 medical 
treatments during the course of the pandemic 
may also impact mortality and morbidity rates 
in our UK and US markets. 

Alongside Covid-19 related matters, other 
risk factors that may impact future reserving 
requirements include a dramatic advance 
in medical science, beyond that anticipated, 
requiring adjustment to our longevity 
assumptions; and the emergence of new 
diseases and changes in immunology 
impacting mortality and morbidity 
assumptions.

We recognise that our scale brings a 
responsibility to act decisively in positioning 
our balance sheet to the threats from 
climate change, and as set out on pages 43 
to 45, we continue to embed assessment of 
climate risks in our investment process, 
including in the management of real assets, 
and broader risk management framework. 
At the aggregate level we measure the 
carbon intensity targets of our own 
investment portfolios, and along with 
specific	investment	exclusions	for	carbon	
intensive industries, we have set overall 
reduction targets aligned with a 1.5°C 
interpretation of the ‘Paris’ Agreement, 
including setting near term science based 
targets to support our long term emission 
reduction goals. We also closely monitor the 
political and regulatory landscape, and as 
part of our climate strategy we engage with 
regulators and investee companies in 
support of climate action.

We	undertake	significant	analysis	of	the	
variables associated with writing long-term 
insurance business to ensure that a suitable 
premium is charged for the risks we take on, 
and that reserves continue to remain 
appropriate for factors including mortality, 
lapse rates, valuation interest rates, and 
expenses, as well as credit default in the 
assets backing our insurance liabilities. 
We also seek to pre-fund and warehouse 
appropriate investment assets to support 
the pricing of long-term business. 

In seeking a comprehensive understanding 
of longevity we are evaluating how Covid-19 
will impact wider trends in life expectancy. 
In our protection business, as part of our 
continuous evolution of our underwriting 
capabilities, we are seeking to ensure we 
fairly assess Covid-19 as a risk factor and 
that our reserves remain appropriate. 
However, we cannot remove the risk that 
adjustment to reserves may be required, 
although the selective use of reinsurance 
acts to reduce the impacts to us of 
significant	variations	in	life	expectancy	
and mortality.

Principal risks and uncertainties

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

57

Principal risks and uncertainties 
continued

Growth drivers
1.  Ageing demographics
2.  Globalisation of asset markets
3.  Investing in the real economy
4.  Welfare reforms
5.  Technological innovation
6.  Addressing climate change

Link to 
strategy

1, 2,4

Risk management

Outlook

We are supportive of regulation in the 
markets in which we operate where it 
ensures	trust	and	confidence	and	can	be	
a positive force on business. We seek to 
actively participate with government and 
regulatory bodies to assist in the evaluation 
of change so as to develop outcomes that 
meet the needs of all stakeholders. 
Internally, we evaluate change as part of 
our formal risk assessment processes, 
with material matters being considered 
at the Group Risk Committee and the 
Group Board. 

Regulatory	driven	change	remains	a	significant	
risk factor across our businesses. Areas 
of future change include HM Treasury’s 
consultation on Solvency II and the Future 
Regulatory Framework post Brexit; and the 
UK’s	financial	conduct	regulator’s	proposal	
for a new Consumer Duty will place obligations 
on	firms	to	evidence	the	delivery	of	good	
customer outcomes. Regulatory focus also 
continues on operational resilience, the 
management of third parties and the transition 
risks	presented	to	the	financial	service	sector	
from climate change. 

Our internal control framework seeks to 
ensure ongoing compliance with relevant 
legislation and regulation. Residual risk 
remains, however, that controls may fail 
or	that	historical	financial	services	industry	
accepted practices may be reappraised by 
regulators, resulting in sanctions against 
the group.

Risks and uncertainties

Changes in regulation or legislation may 
have a detrimental effect on our strategy.
Legislation	and	government	fiscal	policy	
influence	our	product	design,	the	period	
of retention of products and required 
reserves for future liabilities. Regulation 
defines	the	overall	framework	for	the	
design, marketing, taxation and 
distribution of our products, and the 
prudential	capital	that	we	hold.	Significant	
changes in legislation or regulation may 
increase our cost base, reduce our future 
revenues	and	impact	profitability	or	
require us to hold more capital. 

The prominence of the risk increases 
where change is implemented without 
prior engagement with the sector. The 
nature of long-term business can also 
result in some changes in regulation, 
and the re-interpretation of regulation 
over time, having a retrospective effect 
on in-force books of business, impacting 
future cash generation.

We are also monitoring potential for changes 
in	UK	fiscal	policy	arising	from	the	need	to	
fund government borrowing in response to 
Covid-19; and the likelihood of a global move 
towards a higher tax environment (see Tax 
review page 28). We also continue to prepare 
in readiness for IFRS 17, which will introduce 
a	new	suite	of	financial	reporting	metrics.	
Within our property construction businesses, 
the Building Safety Bill and the Environment 
Act 2021 will also introduce new operating 
requirements. 

The need to adjust to living with Covid-19 has 
seen the acceleration of a number of trends, 
including greater consumer engagement in 
digital business models and on-line servicing 
tools. It has also seen businesses like ours 
transform working practices, and we expect 
to continue to invest in automation, using 
robotics	to	improve	business	efficiency.	
Our businesses are well positioned for changes 
in the competitive landscape that may arise 
from	the	roll	out	of	defined	benefit	‘superfund’	
consolidation schemes, pension dashboards 
and ‘collective’ pension scheme arrangements. 
We also continue to be supportive of the 
opportunity for reform of the Solvency II 
capital regime post-Brexit.

1, 3, 5

New entrants may disrupt the markets 
in which we operate.
There is already strong competition in our 
markets, and although we have had 
considerable past success at building 
scale to offer low cost products, we 
recognise that markets remain attractive 
to new entrants. It is possible that 
alternative	digitally	enabled	financial	
services providers emerge with lower 
cost business models or innovative 
service propositions and disrupt the 
current competitive landscape. We are 
also cognisant of competitors who may 
have lower return on capital requirements 
or be unconstrained by Solvency II.

We continuously monitor the factors that 
may impact the markets in which we 
operate, including evolving domestic and 
international capital standards, and are 
maintaining our focus on developing our 
digital platforms. On page 22 we illustrate 
some of the activities underpinning the 
digital transformation of our businesses. 
As set out on pages 38 and 39 we have a 
number of direct investments in strategically 
important market segments to enhance 
delivery of our core businesses including 
workplace	benefits,	insurtech,	mortgages,	
health and care and equity funding. LGIM 
continue to invest in technology to achieve 
the resilience and agility critical to future 
success.

58

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Strategic report

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Growth drivers
1.  Ageing demographics
2.  Globalisation of asset markets
3.  Investing in the real economy
4.  Welfare reforms
5.  Technological innovation
6.  Addressing climate change

Link to 
strategy

5

Risks and uncertainties

A material failure in our business 
processes or IT security may result 
in	unanticipated	financial	loss	or	
reputational damage.
We have constructed our framework of 
internal controls to minimise the risk of 
unanticipated	financial	loss	or	damage	
to our reputation. However, no system of 
internal control can completely eliminate 
the	risk	of	error,	financial	loss,	fraudulent	
actions or reputational damage. We are 
also inherently exposed to cyber threats 
including the risks of data theft and fraud. 
There is also strong stakeholder expectation 
that our core business services are 
resilient to operational disruption.

5

The success of our operations is 
dependent on the ability to attract and 
retain	highly	qualified	professional	people.
The group aims to recruit, develop and 
retain high quality individuals. We are 
inherently exposed to the risk that key 
personnel or teams of expertise may 
leave the group, with an adverse effect 
on the group’s businesses. As we 
increasingly focus on the digitalisation 
of our businesses, we are also competing 
for data and digital skill sets with other 
business sectors as well as our peers.

Risk management

Outlook

Our risk governance model, outlined on 
page 54, seeks to ensure that business 
management are actively engaged in 
maintaining an appropriate control 
environment, supported by risk functions 
led	by	the	Group	Chief	Risk	Officer,	with	
independent assurance from group internal 
audit. The work of the Group Audit Committee 
in the review of the internal control system is 
set out on pages 86 to 91.

Whilst we seek to maintain a control 
environment commensurate with our risk 
profile	we	recognise	that	residual	risk	will	
always remain across the spectrum of our 
business operations and we aim to develop 
response plans so that when adverse events 
occur, appropriate actions are deployed.

We seek to ensure that key personnel 
dependencies do not arise, through 
employee training and development 
programmes, remuneration strategies and 
succession planning. Our processes include 
the	active	identification	and	development	
of talent within our workforce, and by 
highlighting our values and social purpose, 
promoting	Legal	&	General	as	a	great	place	
to work. We also engage our people on new 
ways of working under our hybrid 
home:office	model	and	are	investing	in	
technology and upgrading our buildings 
to support a range of working styles.

Although Covid-19 lockdowns in 2021 had some 
impact for our business operations, the majority 
of our business services have operated 
normally, and we expect to transition in 2022 
to	a	hybrid	office:home	working	environment	
that will seek to maintain high standards of 
customer service and internal control. 

We remain alert to evolving operational risks and 
continue to invest in our system capabilities, 
including those for the management of cyber 
risks, to ensure that our business processes 
are resilient. We are also cognisant of the risks 
as we implement a new global operating 
model and IT platform for LGIM, and have 
structured the migration in phases to minimise 
change risks. 

Competition for talent across the full range 
of	capabilities	and	qualifications	is	intense	
and demands that the group offers competitive 
compensation arrangements as well as 
opportunities for development and an attractive 
work environment. People with skills in areas 
such as technology and digital are particularly 
sought after across many business sectors, 
including those in which we operate. We also 
recognise the risks posed by the outlook for 
inflation	in	salary	expectations	across	the	
wider employment market. Market-wide 
approaches to hybrid working are still evolving, 
and although we believe we are taking the right 
steps, there remains a risk that our model 
does not align with the expectations of those 
we seek to attract or retain.

Principal risks and uncertainties

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60

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Strategic report

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Financial statements

Other information

 Leading 
investor in UK 
build to rent

Built for rent, 
designed for life

Box Makers Yard is a build to rent scheme in 
Bristol. There are 376 private and affordable 
apartments purpose-designed and built to support 
the	flexible	lifestyle	of	today’s	renters.	Residents	
have	the	benefit	of	a	gym,	work	from	home	space,	
private dining rooms, two roof terraces and 
superfast broadband. 

The c.£95 million development welcomed the 
first	residents	in	January	2021	and	was	fully	let	
within eight months.

Governance

62
Board of directors 
64
Executive Committee 
66
Letter from the Chairman 
68
Stakeholder engagement 
Major decisions and discussions during 2021  73
74
Employee engagement 
75
Governance report 
Committed to the highest standards 
80
Nominations and Corporate  
Governance Committee report 
Audit Committee report 
Group Risk Committee report 
Directors’ report on remuneration (DRR) 
DRR quick read summary 
Remuneration policy 
Annual report on remuneration 

82
86
92
94
96 
100
102

Governance

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61

Board of directors

Committee membership key

 Audit
 	Nominations	and	Corporate	

Governance
 Remuneration
 Risk
 Technology
 Committee	Chairman

Other Board members during the 
year were:

Julia Wilson retired from the Board 
on 31 March 2021.

Sir John Kingman
Chairman
Appointed October 2016

Sir Nigel Wilson
Group Chief Executive Officer
Appointed CFO September 2009; 
appointed CEO June 2012

Jeff Davies
Group Chief Financial Officer
Appointed March 2017

Jeff was appointed Group Chief Financial 
Officer	in	March	2017.	He	brings	a	wealth	
of insurance experience, having previously 
served	as	a	senior	partner	of	Ernst	&	Young	
LLP (EY) and led its European risk and 
actuarial insurance services. Prior to joining 
EY in 2004, he held a number of senior 
actuarial	roles	at	Swiss	Re	Life	&	Health.	
Jeff is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries.

John	brings	financial	sector,	government	
and regulatory experience to the Board. 
John previously served as Second 
Permanent Secretary to HM Treasury, 
where he had responsibility for the Treasury’s 
economics ministry functions and for 
policy	relating	to	business,	financial	
services and infrastructure. John was 
closely involved in the UK response to the 
financial	crisis,	handling	the	resolution	of	
Northern Rock and leading negotiations 
with RBS, Lloyds and HBOS on their 
£37	billion	recapitalisation;	he	was	the	first	
Chief Executive of UK Financial Investments 
Ltd	(UKFI);	and	from	2010	–	2012,	John	
was Global Co-Head of the Financial 
Institutions Group at Rothschild. From 2016 
–	2021	he	was	the	first	Chair	of	UK	Research	
&	Innovation,	which	oversees	Government	
science funding of c.£8 billion a year. 

Other appointments:
•  National Gallery (Deputy Chair 

and Trustee)

•  Tesco Bank (Chair)

Nigel brings strong leadership skills to the 
Board. Nigel was knighted for services to 
Finance and Regional Development in the 
2022 New Year’s Honours List. Nigel was 
awarded City AM’s ‘Business Personality 
of the Year’ in 2014. Nigel also won the 
‘Most Admired Leader’ award at Britain’s 
Most Admired Companies Awards 2017. 
In 2019 Nigel won ‘Change Maker of the 
Year’ at the Seven Hills Change Makers 
Summit. Nigel was Chairman of the 
Investment Association’s review of Executive 
Pay and the government’s review of Mission 
Led	Business	(both	2016	–	2017).	He	was	
a member of the government’s Patient 
Capital Review Industry Panel and a 
Commissioner in the Resolution Foundation’s 
Intergenerational Commission (both 2017 
–	2018).	He	is	currently	on	the	Prime	
Minister’s Build Back Better Council and 
Levelling Up Council.

Philip Broadley
Senior Independent Director 
Appointed July 2016; Senior Independent 
Non-Executive Director from 31 March 
2021

Philip has extensive insurance experience 
having spent over 14 years in senior roles 
in insurance, including as Group Finance 
Director at Old Mutual plc and prior to that 
as Group Finance Director of Prudential plc. 
He is a former Chair of the 100 Group of 
Finance Directors. Philip graduated from 
St. Edmund Hall, Oxford, where he is now 
a St. Edmund Fellow. Philip is the Senior 
Independent Director at AstraZeneca PLC 
and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered 
Accountants in England and Wales.

Other appointments:
•  AstraZeneca PLC (Senior Independent 

Director)

•  Eastbourne College (Chairman of 

Governors) 

•  London	Library	(Treasurer	&	Trustee)

Henrietta Baldock
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed October 2018

Nilufer von Bismarck OBE
Independent Non-Executive Director 
Appointed May 2021

Henrietta was appointed to the Board in 
October 2018 and has been Chair of the 
Group’s principal operating subsidiary, 
Legal and General Assurance Society 
Limited, since March 2018. She has 
extensive	knowledge	of	the	financial	
services and insurance sectors through her 
25 years’ experience in investment banking, 
most recently as Chair of the European 
Financial Institutions team at Bank of 
America Merrill Lynch. 

Other appointments:
•  Investec Plc (Non-Executive Director)
•  Investec Bank Plc (Non-Executive 

Director)

•  Investec	Wealth	&	Investment	Limited	
(Non-Executive Director and Chair)

•  Hydro Industries Limited (Non-

Executive Director)

Nilufer was previously the Head of the 
Financial Institutions Group and the Equity 
Capital Markets practice at Slaughter and 
May and has spent a large part of her 
34-year career working with major 
international	financial	institutions.	As	well	
as a deep and extensive understanding 
of	the	financial	services	sector,	Nilufer	has	
considerable experience across a range of 
other industries and sectors, including real 
estate,	green	infrastructure	and	fintech.	
Nilufer was appointed as the designated 
non-executive director for climate in 
January 2022 and will take on the role 
of designated workforce director in 
April 2022.

Other appointments:
•  Into University (Trustee)

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Lesley Knox
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed June 2016

George Lewis
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed November 2018

Ric Lewis
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed June 2020

Toby Strauss
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed January 2017

Lesley brings a wealth of international, 
strategic	and	financial	services	experience	
having spent over 18 years in senior roles in 
financial	services,	including	with	Kleinwort	
Benson and the Bank of Scotland. Lesley 
previously served as Chair of Alliance Trust 
PLC and as Senior Independent Director 
at Hays plc. Lesley will have served as the 
designated workforce director from 2018 
until April 2022. Lesley was appointed as 
Chair of the company’s principal subsidiary 
Legal	&	General	Investment	Management	
(Holdings) Limited in July 2019.

Other appointments:
•  3i Group plc (Senior Independent 

Director)

•  Dovecot Studios Limited (Non-

Executive Director)

George	has	significant,	broad,	executive	
and	professional	experience	in	financial	
services, with a strong focus on global 
asset management. George joined the 
Royal Bank of Canada in 1986, serving in 
various	financial	and	wealth	management	
roles. He was a member of RBC’s Group 
Executive	Board	2007	–	2015,	with	
responsibility for RBC’s wealth, asset 
management and insurance segments. 
In addition to his current appointments, 
George served on the boards (and chaired 
the Audit and Risk Committees) of Ontario 
Power Generation, Enbridge Income Fund 
and Cenovus Energy Inc. 

Other appointments:
•  Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan 

(Non-Executive Director)

•  Genus Plc (Senior Independent 

•  AOG Group (Non-Executive Director)

Non-Executive Director)

•  Grosvenor Group Limited Pension Fund 

(Trustee)

•  National Galleries of Scotland 

Foundation (Trustee)

Board appointment post year end

Ric was appointed to the Board in June 2020 
and	brings	significant	investment	
management experience with over 25 years 
in the sector. Ric is the founder, Executive 
Chairman	and	Chief	Investment	Officer	of	
Tristan Capital Partners, a pan-European 
real	estate	investment	management	firm	
with over €13 billion in assets under 
management. 

Toby was appointed to the Board in 
January 2017 and brings extensive 
insurance experience to the Board 
following an executive career in UK 
financial	services	which	included	roles	
as Group Director of Insurance and Chief 
Executive of Scottish Widows at Lloyds 
Banking Group and, prior to that, Chief 
Executive of Aviva UK Life.

Other appointments:
•  Dartmouth College (USA) (Trustee)
•  Royal National Children’s SpringBoard 

Other appointments:
•  Age UK (Chair)
•  Brewin Dolphin Holdings Plc (Chair)

Foundation (Director)

•  The Black Heart Foundation (Trustee, 

Chairman and Founder)

•  Eastside Young Leaders’ Academy 

(Patron)

•  Black Equity Organisation (BEO) (Trustee)
•  Tappit Technologies (UK) Ltd 

(Non-Executive Director)

•  Beam Up Ltd (Non-Executive Director)

Geoffrey Timms
Group General Counsel and 
Company Secretary

Laura Wade-Gery 
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed January 2022

Geoffrey has been the Group General 
Counsel since 1999 and, in addition, the 
Group Company Secretary since 2008. 

Laura was appointed to the Board in 
January 2022. She has extensive 
knowledge of digital transformation, 
business strategy and customer 
experience transformation. Her previous 
executive roles include her position as 
Director of Multi-Channel, a main Board 
member at Marks and Spencer Group plc 
and as CEO of Tesco.com and Tesco Direct. 
She was also previously an advisor to the 
Government	Digital	Service	2012	–	2016	
and a Non-Executive Director of the John 
Lewis Partnership 2017. 

Other appointments:
•  British Land Plc (Non-Executive Director)
•  NHS Digital (Chair)
•  NHS England (Non-Executive Director)

Tushar Morzaria 
Due to join the Board as Independent 
Non-Executive Director on 27 May 
2022

Tushar is currently (until 22 April 2022) the 
Group Finance Director at Barclays Plc and 
has	extensive	financial	services	experience.	
Prior to his role at Barclays, he was the Chief 
Financial	Officer	of	Global	Investment	Banking	
at	JP	Morgan	Chase	&	Co	and	before	that,	held	
various roles at SG Warburg, Credit Suisse 
and JPMorgan Chase. Tushar will retire from 
his position at Barclays Plc prior to joining 
Legal	&	General.	Tushar	has	extensive	
knowledge	of	strategic	financial	management,	
investment banking and operational and 
regulatory relations and a deep understanding 
of equity and debt capital management. 

Other appointments:
•  BP plc  (Non-Executive Director)
•  100 Group Main Committee (Member)
•  Sterling Risk Free Reference Rates 

Working Group (Chair)

Board of directors

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Executive Committee

Sir Nigel Wilson
Group Chief Executive Officer
See Board of directors pages 62 to 63.

Jeff Davies
Group Chief Financial Officer
See Board of directors pages 62 to 63.

Geoffrey Timms
Group General Counsel and 
Company Secretary
See Board of directors pages 62 to 63

Other Executive Committee members 
during the year:

Simon Gadd stepped down as Group 
Chief	Risk	Officer	in	March	2021	and	
took on the role of Group Climate 
Change Director.

Other business unit Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Presidents

Michelle Scrimgeour
Chief Executive Officer, Legal & General 
Investment Management

Kerrigan Procter
President of Asia, 
Legal & General Group

Laura Mason
Chief Executive Officer, 
Legal & General Capital

Michelle was appointed as Chief Executive 
Officer	of	Legal	&	General	Investment	
Management in July 2019. Michelle has 
extensive asset management experience 
across investments, distribution, product, 
operations, risk and control functions. 
Michelle has spent her career at major 
global	firms,	most	recently	as	Chief	
Executive	Officer,	EMEA,	at	Columbia	
Threadneedle Investments. Prior to that, 
Michelle	was	Chief	Risk	Officer	at	M&G	
Investments	and	Director	of	M&G	Group	
Limited, joining in 2012 from BlackRock. 
Michelle held a number of leadership 
positions at BlackRock, and previously 
at Merrill Lynch Investment Managers. 
Michelle is on the Board of the Investment 
Association, a member of the FCA’s 
Practitioner Panel and a member of the 
Asset Management Taskforce. Michelle is 
co-chair of the COP26 Business Leaders 
Group. Michelle holds a BA (Hons) in 
French	from	the	University	of	Sheffield.	

Kerrigan has been President of Asia, 
Legal	&	General	Group	since	July	2021.	
He	was	previously	Chief	Executive	Officer	
of	Legal	&	General	Capital	from	January	
2018 to June 2021. He has group-wide 
experience with in-depth knowledge of the 
workings of the group’s business divisions 
from	his	roles	as	CEO	of	the	Legal	&	General	
Retirement	business	division	2013	–	2017,	
and	Head	of	Solutions	at	Legal	&	General	
Investment	Management	2006	–	2012,	
where he was responsible for liability-driven 
investment	and	fund	solutions	for	defined	
benefit	and	defined	contribution	pension	
schemes across Europe and the US. Prior 
to joining the group, he worked at RBS in 
the	financial	markets	division	where	he	held	
several roles. Kerrigan started his career 
in 1994 with EY Corporate Finance before 
moving to Mercer. He is a Fellow of the 
Institute of Actuaries and has a PhD in 
number theory from King’s College, London.

Laura	has	been	Chief	Executive	Officer	
of	Legal	&	General	Capital	since	July	2021.	
She	was	previously	CEO	of	Legal	&	General’s	
Institutional Retirement business from 
January 2018 to June 2021. Laura joined 
Legal	&	General	in	2011	and	has	served	in	
several roles since then, including as part of 
the senior management team responsible 
for	setting	up	Legal	&	General	Capital	over	
2014	–	2015.	Laura	is	a	qualified	actuary	
and spent eight years at Towers Watson 
as a consultant to major UK life insurers. 
Laura has a First Class Honours Degree 
in Engineering Science from University of 
Oxford, and a PhD in Engineering Science 
(Neural Networks and Signal Processing) 
also from the University of Oxford. 

Bernie Hickman
Chief Executive Officer, 
Legal & General Retail

During the reporting year, Bernie was CEO 
of	Legal	&	General	Insurance,	responsible	
for the Insurance and Fintech businesses 
in the UK and US. Since 1 January 2022, 
Bernie	has	been	the	Chief	Executive	Officer	
of	Legal	&	General	Retail,	responsible	for	
the Retail and Workplace businesses within 
the	group.	Bernie	joined	Legal	&	General	in	
1998 from Commercial Union (now Aviva). 
Between 2005 and 2010 he was the 
Managing Director of Retail Protection 
during which time he launched the UK 
Protection digital platform, OLP Connect, 
which provides market-leading self-service 
functionality and high levels of straight 
through processing. Bernie became MD 
of Retail Retirement in 2014 and the CEO 
co-founder	of	Legal	&	General	Home	
Finance in 2015, when he led the group’s 
entry into the lifetime mortgage market. 
He has also held the positions of Group 
Financial Controller, Investor Relations 
Director and Solvency II Managing Director.

Andrew Kail
Chief Executive Officer, 
Legal & General Retirement Institutional

During the reporting year, Andrew was 
CEO	of	Legal	&	General’s	Retail	Retirement	
business. Since 1 January 2022, Andrew 
has	been	the	Chief	Executive	Officer	of	
Legal	&	General’s	Institutional	Retirement	
business.	Prior	to	joining	Legal	&	General	
in March 2021, Andrew was a senior partner 
at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). He has 
30 years’ experience working with a wide 
range	of	financial	services	companies	in	
audit, regulation, transactions and 
performance improvement. Within PwC 
he	was	the	leader	of	the	financial	services	
practice and brings huge experience from 
across the industry including expertise in 
regulation, risk and technology. He is a 
Chartered Accountant and an Economics 
graduate from the University of Manchester.

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Additional Executive Committee members

John Godfrey
Group Corporate Affairs Director

Emma Hardaker-Jones
Group Human Resources Director

Chris Knight
Group Chief Risk Officer

John has worked in the City for more than 
36 years, providing advice on corporate 
affairs and communications to US, 
European	and	Japanese	financial	
institutions.	He	joined	Legal	&	General	
as Group Communications Director in 
2006, becoming Corporate Affairs Director 
following	the	global	financial	crisis.	Since	
then, his responsibilities have variously 
included communications, public affairs 
and policy, corporate social responsibility 
and	brand.	In	2016,	he	left	Legal	&	General	
to work in government as head of the 
Prime Minister’s Downing Street Policy 
Unit, returning to the Company in 
September 2017. He is a Financial 
Inclusion Commissioner.

Emma	joined	Legal	&	General	as	Group	HR	
Director in 2017. Emma’s responsibilities 
include Group Real Estate and Internal 
Communications as well as membership 
of a number of our subsidiary boards. 
Emma’s previous role was as Global HR 
Director and Board Director at PA 
Consulting, co-leading the successful 
sale of 51% of PA Consulting to The Carlyle 
Group in 2015. Prior to PA Consulting, 
Emma spent a number of years as Group 
Head of Talent and Resourcing at BP, 
driving change across the 100 countries 
in which BP operates. Emma has also held 
roles at Prudential and the Bank of England 
and was the co-founder of a dot-com 
start-up, Skillvest.com. Emma has 
significant	international	experience	
having worked in Europe, North America, 
Asia and Africa.

Chris	has	been	the	Group	Chief	Risk	Officer	
since May 2021. Chris was previously the 
Chief	Executive	Officer	of	Legal	&	General’s	
Retail Retirement business. Prior to that 
he	was	the	Chief	Financial	Officer	of	
Legal	&	General’s	Retirement	division	
where he was responsible for driving the 
financial	results	of	the	business.	Chris	has	
also served as the Finance Director of the 
group’s UK Savings and Protection 
business.	Chris	is	a	qualified	actuary	and	
has had a 32-year career in the UK and 
international	financial	services	markets.	
He	joined	Legal	&	General	in	2009.	

The role of the Executive 
Committee

The Group Executive Committee (Exco), 
chaired by the Group Chief Executive, 
brings together the heads of 
Legal	&	General’s	business	units	with	
the Executive Committee members 
shown on these pages. Exco is 
responsible for the day-to-day 
implementation of strategy agreed 
by the Board. The Exco meets regularly 
to ensure continued cooperation 
between the business units and the 
effective adoption of our culture, a key 
focus for the group. Exco also monitors 
and	manages	risk,	ensures	efficient	
operational management and 
adherence to compliance and 
addresses key issues such as diversity, 
the environment and corporate social 
responsibility. Exco has regular updates 
from relevant external advisers and 
partners to develop its knowledge and 
outlook. 

Stephen Licence
Group Chief Internal Auditor

Stephen	joined	Legal	&	General	in	2014	
having previously been Emerging Markets 
Chief Internal Auditor at RSA Insurance 
where he was responsible for the internal 
audit activity in the group’s businesses 
across Latin America, Asia, Middle East 
and Eastern Europe. His 26 years’ internal 
audit experience has included life, general 
and healthcare insurance in both 
Legal	&	General	and	the	Lloyd’s	of	London	
market. He was also previously an audit 
consultant at the London Stock Exchange 
Group. Stephen is a Chartered Member 
of the Institute of Internal Auditors.

Executive Committee

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Letter from the Chairman

unable to hold a physical 2021 Annual General 
Meeting (AGM). We were however very pleased 
to be able to invite shareholders to join the AGM 
virtually via an online video platform. Through 
the platform, shareholders were able to view 
a live video stream of our AGM and participate in 
a	live	Q&A	session	with	the	Board.	I	am	delighted	
that a number of our shareholders were able to 
join us virtually on the day to hear from myself, 
Sir Nigel Wilson and our Committee Chairs 
and I would like to thank those who participated 
in	our	live	Q&A	session	or	who	submitted	
questions in advance.

The Board also recognises that the AGM 
presents an important opportunity for our 
shareholders to get to know newer Board 
members and to understand the skills and 
experience that they bring to the Board. In 
the absence of a physical meeting, we made 
available on our website a recorded interview 
with our two newest non-executive directors, 
Ric Lewis and Nilufer von Bismarck OBE. 
We hope that shareholders found this useful 
and informative.

The Board also took the opportunity to ask 
shareholders to support a proposal to change 
our articles of association to allow us to hold 
hybrid AGMs in the future. A hybrid AGM allows 
shareholders to attend and vote either in person 
or virtually. The Board recommended the change 
in order to allow our shareholders to have greater 
flexibility	in	deciding	how	they	wish	to	participate	
in our AGMs and with a view to promoting greater 
participation and engagement. We are pleased 
that shareholders supported this proposal and 
we	look	forward	to	holding	our	first	hybrid	AGM	
this year. 

Whilst last year’s arrangements were no substitute 
for meeting shareholders in person, we hope 
that shareholders still felt connected to, and 
heard by, the Board through the steps that we 
took and I would like to thank shareholders for 
their understanding during this challenging period.

The 2022 AGM will be held on Thursday 26 May 
2022 at 11am at the British Medical Association, 
BMA House, Tavistock Square, Bloomsbury, 
London WC1H 9JP with additional facilities for 
shareholders to join and vote electronically. Full 
details of the business to be considered at the 
meeting and any special arrangements that may 
be in place in light of Covid-19 will be included in 
the Notice of Annual General Meeting that will 
be sent to shareholders by their chosen 
communication means and published on our 
website: group.legalandgeneral.com/AGM.

Finding what you need online
group.legalandgeneral.com/AGM

Sir John Kingman
Chairman

I am delighted to present our 
2021 Governance report which 
provides insight into how we, 
the Board, have approached 
our responsibilities during 
this year.

Covid-19 has continued to affect each of us 
and has had an unprecedented impact on our 
customers, employees and society at large. 
Throughout this crisis our business has been 
very resilient and continued to provide the 
products and services that our customers need. 
I am proud to report that, even during another 
challenging year, our colleagues have continued 
to adapt and have remained professional, 
committed and resilient in the face of adversity. 
I would like to extend my thanks to all our valued 
colleagues for their continued hard work and 
commitment to doing the best for our customers. 

The	strength	of	our	diversified	business	model	
meant we were able to weather the volatility of 
2020	and	were	well	positioned	to	deliver	profitable	
growth again during 2021. While the pandemic 
and its effects will no doubt be with us for some 
time, the Board is also looking to the future and 
to	the	many	opportunities	for	Legal	&	General	to	
make investments that are economically, 
environmentally and socially valuable, in line with 
our long-term commitment to delivering inclusive 
capitalism and supporting the Building Back Better 
and Levelling Up agendas. In particular, addressing 
climate	change	(one	of	Legal	&	General’s	six	
strategic growth drivers) remains at the forefront 
of our minds as we face not only the biggest 
challenge, but also the biggest investment 
opportunity, of our lifetimes. The Board was 

proud to see Michelle Scrimgeour, Chief Executive, 
Legal	&	General	Investment	Management,	play	
such a central role in COP26 as co-chair of the 
COP26 Business Leaders Group.

Our approach to governance
As a Board, it is our role to promote the highest 
levels of corporate governance and ensure these 
values are embedded within our culture and 
throughout the organisation.

As our business continues to evolve and as we 
pursue our strategic objectives in an ever-changing 
environment, our strong governance framework 
supports the Board in ensuring that across the 
group we make decisions in the right way. The 
Board has worked closely with the Executive 
team throughout this year as the business has 
continued to navigate the challenges presented 
by Covid-19 to ensure our business can continue 
to	flourish.	Our	governance	framework	has	
supported us well to be able to continue to make 
agile and robust decisions throughout this period.

For the year ended 31 December 2021, we were 
required to measure ourselves against the 2018 
UK Corporate Governance Code (the ‘Code’). 
The Board has considered carefully the 
requirements of the Code and I am pleased to 
report that we have complied with all provisions 
of the Code throughout the year, save in respect 
of pensions alignment required under Code 
provision 38 where we will achieve full 
compliance by 31 December 2022 as further 
detailed on page 103. Further details on our 
compliance with the Code and how we have 
applied the various principles can be found 
on pages 80 to 81.

Annual General Meeting
In light of the UK Government’s Covid-19 
restrictions in 2021, and with the wellbeing of 
our shareholders and colleagues as our primary 
concern, it was with much regret that we were 

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Financial statements

Other information

Stakeholder engagement
The Board has previously welcomed the changes 
to the Code aimed at promoting greater 
transparency around stakeholder engagement. 
As a Board, we are conscious of the impact that 
our business and decisions have on our 
stakeholders, as well as our wider societal 
impact. We keep the interests of the group’s 
shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers 
and our wider stakeholders at the heart of our 
decision making and how we deliver our strategy 
to achieve long-term, sustainable success. 
Whilst Covid-19 has continued to create challenges 
this year, there has never been a more important 
time to stay connected with all of our stakeholders. 
Further information on how we, as a Board, have 
fulfilled	our	duties	to	our	stakeholders	under	
s.172 of the Companies Act 2006, including a 
case study of our engagement in practice, can 
be found on pages 68 to 73.

Board changes and succession planning
Legal	&	General	continues	to	benefit	from	a	
high-quality Board with a diverse range and depth 
of expertise and skills. During the year we have 
continued to assess the composition of the 
Board. In March 2021, Julia Wilson retired as 
Senior Independent Director after a nine-year 
tenure on the Board, in accordance with the 
UK Corporate Governance Code requirement. 
I would like to once again thank Julia for her 
enormous contribution to the Board and the 
Company and for her valued support to me 
during my time as Chairman. Philip Broadley 
succeeded Julia as our Senior Independent 
Director and I would also like to thank him for 
his support during this year.

Nilufer von Bismarck OBE joined the Board as 
a Non-Executive Director on 1 May 2021. Nilufer 
has spent a large part of her 34-year legal career 
working	with	major	international	financial	
institutions and also has considerable experience 
across a range of other industries and sectors, 
including real estate, green infrastructure and 
fintech.	In	November	2021,	we	announced	the	
appointment of Laura Wade-Gery as an 
independent non-executive director with effect 
from 3 January 2022. Laura’s extensive 
knowledge of digital transformation and customer 
experience will further bolster the Board as the 
Company seeks to become a market leader in 
the digital provision of insurance and other 
financial	solutions.	We	also	announced	the	
appointment of Tushar Morzaria who will join the 
Board as an independent non-executive director 
and will take over from Philip Broadley as Audit 
Committee chair when he joins us in May 2022. 
As the current Group Finance Director of 
Barclays	Plc	and	with	extensive	financial	services	
experience,	Tushar	is	well	positioned	to	fulfil	the	
duties as Audit Committee chair and I look 
forward to welcoming him in May. We have also 
recently announced that Toby Strauss will stand 
down from the Board in April 2022 following his 
recent appointment as the Chair of Age UK. 

I would like to thank Toby for his very 
considerable contribution to the Board and 
especially as Chair of the Risk Committee. I will 
assume the role as the Chair of the Risk 
Committee on a temporary basis pending the 
appointment of Toby’s successor.

This year, the Nominations and Corporate 
Governance Committee, together with the 
Board, has continued to focus on succession 
planning. We review both our Group Board and 
Executive Committee succession plans regularly 
and fully. I am pleased to report that Nilufer von 
Bismarck will succeed Lesley Knox as the 
designated workforce director with effect from 
April 2022. Lesley has done an outstanding job 
in establishing the role of the designated 
workforce director since it was created in 2018 and 
has discharged her role with great commitment 
and rigour. Lesley has championed the voice of 
our employees during Board discussions and 
has ensured that the Board has received regular 
and valuable insights into our employees. 
I would like to thank Lesley for the dedication 
she has shown to this role during her tenure.

As a Board, we consider the climate emergency 
to be a real and emerging risk to our business 
and the communities in which we operate. 
However, we also recognise the potential 
opportunities that can be created. Our commitment 
to climate issues is detailed on pages 18 and 19 
and also in our climate report which can be 
found at group.legalandgeneral.com/reports. 
We consider that it is vital that the Board remains 
focused on this important topic and the Board is 
therefore pleased to have appointed Nilufer von 
Bismarck to the new role of designated 
non-executive director for climate. The Board 
agreed that Nilufer was an excellent candidate 
for both this role and as successor to Lesley as 
the designated workforce director, particularly as 
the climate emergency is an issue which our 
employees feel passionately about.

There were also a number of executive changes 
during the year. Laura Mason succeeded Kerrigan 
Procter	as	Chief	Executive,	Legal	&	General	
Capital and Kerrigan has moved to a new role 
as President of Asia to co-ordinate the group’s 
expansion plans in Asia. In addition, since 
1 January 2022, Andrew Kail has been appointed 
as	Chief	Executive,	Legal	&	General	Retirement	
Institutional and the Group’s Retail businesses 
(Legal	&	General	Insurance	and	Legal	&	General	
Retirement Retail) have been combined under 
the leadership of Bernie Hickman. We continue 
to closely monitor diversity in our succession 
plans to ensure that we are attracting, developing 
and progressing diverse talent.

Diversity and inclusion
We stand for diversity and inclusion: for a 
workplace where we all have the opportunity 
to perform at our best, no matter who we are. 
The Board is responsible for overseeing the 

group-wide diversity and inclusion policy, 
ensuring	that	everyone	across	Legal	&	General	
understands their responsibilities in driving an 
inclusive and diverse culture and the opportunities 
it can bring. We continue to develop a robust 
governance framework and use data and insights 
to shape our actions, measure our progress and 
drive accountability.

Diversity is important to us because it generates 
a	wider	pool	of	talent,	reflecting	the	broadest	
range of human attributes, experience and 
backgrounds. We are building an inclusive 
culture that celebrates diversity and creates fair 
opportunities for all.

Laura Mason continues in her role as executive 
sponsor for diversity and inclusion, and great 
progress has been made with our diversity and 
inclusion initiatives across the group. See page 
48 for more about these initiatives.

Subsidiary boards
At	Legal	&	General	we	have	benefited	from	a	
strong governance framework operating at 
subsidiary level for many years now. Our framework 
of guiding principles remains in place governing 
the relationship between the Group Board and 
the Boards of the group’s principal subsidiaries, 
promoting effective interaction across all levels 
of the group.

Lesley Knox and Henrietta Baldock continue 
in their roles as the Chairs of our two principal 
operating	subsidiaries:	Legal	&	General	
Investment Management (Holdings) Limited 
(LGIM(H)) and Legal and General Assurance 
Society Limited (LGAS), respectively. Interlinking 
our Group Board directors and principal subsidiary 
boards allows greater interactions, information 
flows	and	promotes	enhanced	collaboration.

The Board welcomes the positive and 
constructive working relationships we have with 
our	subsidiaries	and	we	have	benefited	greatly	
from the addition of independent non-executive 
directors to many of our subsidiary boards.

Board effectiveness
The Board conducted an internal Board review 
in 2021 which was externally facilitated by the 
Board evaluation specialists Independent Board 
Evaluation and included a review of the 
effectiveness of the Board and its Committees. 
Further details of the process and outcome of 
this evaluation can be found on pages 78 and 79.

Sir John Kingman
Chairman

Letter from the Chairman

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

67

Stakeholder engagement

The Board recognises the 
importance of considering 
all stakeholders in its decision 
making as set out in section 
172 of the Companies 
Act 2006.

The below sets out our s.172 statement which 
provides details of the Board’s engagement with 
our key stakeholders during the year and how 
stakeholder considerations have helped shape 
Board decisions and outcomes. Additional 
details of our key stakeholders and why they are 
important to us are set out on pages 16 to 17.

Through its engagement with key stakeholders, 
the Board seeks to understand the views, 
priorities and issues of each stakeholder group 
so that these can be carefully considered and 
balanced by the Board as part of its decision 
making. Additionally, the Group Company 
Secretary attends each Board meeting and 
is available to provide support to the Board 
in	ensuring	that	sufficient	consideration	is	
given in relation to stakeholder views during 
Board discussions. 

Outcomes
•  The Board is committed to continuing to enhance 

its engagement and interaction with our shareholders. 
Accordingly, the Board sought shareholder approval 
to make a change to the company’s Articles of 
Association to permit hybrid AGMs. The Board hopes 
that this change will encourage more shareholders to 
participate in our AGM. The Board is very much looking 
forward	to	holding	its	first	hybrid	AGM	on	26	May	2022.
•  A full year dividend of 18.45 pence was approved by the 

Group Board on 8 March 2022.

Engagement with our stakeholders

Shareholders

Overview
Our shareholders and 
bondholders are vital 
to the future success 
of our business, 
business growth and 
the generation of 
sustainable returns.

Engagement
Continuing engagement
•  During the year the Chairman, Group CEO and Group CFO continued to meet 

with multiple investors.

•  Investor Relations provides regular updates to the Board and engages the 
Board on shareholder-related matters. They also provide the Board with 
regular feedback on investors’ views on business strategy and the market 
environment.

•  Each year the Group CEO and CFO meet with investors and analysts following 

the	release	of	our	half-year	and	full-year	financial	results.

•  The AGM provides an important opportunity each year for the Board to 
engage with all shareholders, particularly retail shareholders who might 
otherwise have limited direct engagement with the Board. In 2021 our AGM 
was held in One Coleman Street and, due to Covid-19, shareholders were not 
able to attend in person but were invited to join virtually via an online video 
platform. The Board was delighted to provide shareholders with the 
opportunity to ask live questions during the meeting.

•  We provide easy access for our shareholders to the company’s announcements, 
results and investor information through a dedicated shareholder section of 
our website. The website contains the Company’s London Stock Exchange 
regulatory announcements and a copy of our annual reports and other 
relevant publications. A webcast of half-year and full-year results presentations 
for the current period is also made available via a link on the website which is 
permanently available.

Additional current year engagement
•  In May, the Group CFO met with several investors to gain insights on their views 
at the Autonomous Insurers and Asset Wealth Manager Financials Forum. 
•  In September, the Chairman participated in the Goldman Sachs Chairman’s 

Forum where he engaged with a range of different types of investor. 
Feedback from investor meetings was shared with the wider Board 
throughout the year.

•  In October, we hosted a Capital Markets event for investors and analysts at 

our London Headquarters. Investors also had the opportunity to join virtually. 
The	event	focused	on	Legal	&	General	Capital	(LGC)	and	consisted	of	
presentations on LGC’s strategy, its approach and investment capability, 
financial	performance	and	ambitions,	and	included	a	live	Q&A	with	the	Group	
CEO and the LGC management team. All of the material from the event was 
made available on the investors section of the group website.

68

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Governance

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Engagement with our stakeholders continued

Suppliers

Overview
Proactive interaction with 
our suppliers and treating 
our suppliers fairly allows 
us to drive higher 
standards and reduce risk 
in our supply chain whilst 
benefitting	from	cost	
efficiencies	and	positive	
environmental outcomes.

Regulators

Overview
We work with our 
regulators proactively, 
with openness and 
transparency. Early and 
active engagement, with 
both government and our 
regulators, helps to 
ensure we understand 
changing requirements 
and can take timely 
action to implement the 
regulatory change 
required, optimising 
outcomes for our 
customers and our 
people, where possible.

Engagement
Continuing engagement
•  The	Legal	&	General	Resources	Limited	Board,	our	main	contracting	entity	for	
suppliers, receives a procurement update at each Board meeting, including 
an update on material procurements, relationships with suppliers and 
associated performance. The Group Board has sight of the minutes of each 
of these Board meetings and any issues are escalated to the Group Board 
where necessary.

•  In accordance with the Group Board matters reserved, any expenditure 
in relation to a supplier in excess of an amount determined by the group 
from time to time is put to the Board for consideration and approval, 
as required.

•  The	Group	Chief	Financial	Officer	and	the	Legal	&	General	Resources	Board	
continued to receive updates regarding any supplier performance issues 
associated with Covid-19, including the continued work undertaken with 
suppliers to mitigate any risks.

•  Lesley Knox is the Group Board sponsor for modern slavery and drives this 
agenda through her membership of the Modern Slavery and Human Rights 
Committee.

Additional current year engagement
•  The Executive Risk Committee, Group Risk Committee and Group 

Technology Committee received reports relating to cyber security and 
supplier governance throughout the year. 

•  The	Legal	&	General	Resources	Board	and	Group	Environmental	Committee	
were updated throughout the year on the progress of topics such as supplier 
diversity and modern slavery as well as the environment. 

•  Outputs from a current review of potential supply chain risks due to logistics 

delays, price increases and shortages will be presented to senior management 
during 2022. 

•  Throughout the year the Modern Slavery and Humans Rights Committee has 
been progressing risk assessments for the balance of our supply chain and 
has incorporated these results into our Financial Watchlist for material 
suppliers. See page 50 for information on our sustainable supply chain.

Outcomes
•  This year we joined the Supplier Diversity Council UK 
to take a lead role in progressing this important topic 
and help shape the principles and toolkits needed. 
The Council meets regularly with the objective of raising 
awareness, sharing knowledge and looking at ways 
of helping to drive greater opportunity for small and 
diverse	firms.

•  We also enhanced our Sustainable Sourcing Principles 

Statement in November 2021 to bring greater clarity and 
detail in the guidance to buyers and supplier managers. 

•  Group Procurement is continuing to progress its 

five-year	transformation	journey.	Once	finalised,	this	
will include the deployment of e-sourcing and supplier 
management tools which is anticipated to bring more 
granular analytics as well as digital sourcing capabilities.
•  Following feedback from key stakeholders, our purchase 
order system continues to be utilised to drive payment 
efficiencies	and	cost	controls.

•  Our senior management team worked in collaboration 
with Stronger Together to deliver external workshops 
to over 40 suppliers in relation to human rights and 
spotting the signs of modern slavery. We have also 
delivered extensive training to promote awareness 
of this important topic. For more information on our 
activities in relation to modern slavery, refer to page 51.

Engagement
Continuing engagement
•  Certain non-executive directors of the Group Board and subsidiary 

non-executive directors attend individual meetings with both the PRA and 
FCA on a frequency determined by the regulators for each supervisory cycle. 
Topics	covered	include	strategy,	financial	performance,	Board	effectiveness	
and wider governance, operational resilience, cyber, culture, regulatory 
matters (including the review of Solvency II) and customer outcomes. The 
directors share insights from these meetings at each Group Board meeting.
•  At each meeting, the Group Board receives a conduct report from the Chief 
Risk	Officer	which	contains	an	update	on	prudential	regulation.	The	Chief	
Risk	Officer	periodically	attends	Group	Board	meetings	to	present	to	the	Board.
•  To mark the beginning of each two-year supervisory cycle, the FCA attends 
a Group Board meeting to discuss its priorities. The PRA attends the Group 
Board annually as part of the PRA’s Periodic Summary Meeting (PSM) cycle.

•  Throughout 2021 we continued to hold quarterly meetings with both the 

FCA and PRA on our plans to transition away from the interest rate 
benchmark LIBOR.

Additional current year engagement
•  At the beginning of 2021, we were still working closely with the PRA and 

FCA	on	our	response	to	Covid-19,	with	interactions	decreasing	after	the	first	
quarter 2021.

•  Regular meetings continue to take place between management, our risk 

function and the PRA and FCA. We continue to brief the FCA on a programme 
to	transform	our	financial	crime	risk	management	framework,	and	on	the	
progress	to	close	out	a	programme	of	work	reviewing	group-wide	conflicts	
of interest. Additionally, there have been regular engagement meetings 
regarding	the	transformation	of	LGIM’s	middle	office	function	and	its	move	
to a strategic target operating model.

•  The Group Board values its open dialogue with the PRA and therefore invited 
the PRA to attend its July Board meeting to discuss and share its views on 
the 2021 PSM Letter.

Outcomes
•  We have proactively engaged with our regulators this 

year to feed back industry views on Solvency II reform, 
including	the	PRA’s	Quantitative	Impact	Study	to	test	a	
range of policy options which could lead to reform of the 
current solvency regulation for insurers; we hope these 
interactions make a positive contribution to the work of 
our regulators in achieving their statutory objectives. 
We have also used these opportunities to gain insights 
to requirements which have improved our own approach 
to regulatory compliance.

•  Following extensive scrutiny and review at the Group 

Risk Committee, in May the Group Board approved the 
submission of the Internal Model Major Change 
application to the PRA. Our regular, transparent and 
constructive dialogue with the PRA helped to ensure that 
we received approval for this enhancement in December. 

•  In July, we actively engaged with the PRA to achieve 

approval for the PRA’s non-objection to the redemption 
of £300m 10% subordinated notes due in 2041 and 
issued by the Company.

•  Our Affordable Homes business worked closely with the 
Regulator of Social Housing to achieve approval for the 
creation of four newly incorporated entities within the 
group that are registered providers of social housing, 
to facilitate the provision of affordable housing across 
England.

•  The	Group	Chief	Financial	Officer	joined	the	Productive	
Finance Working Group, a joint forum of the Bank of 
England, Her Majesty’s Treasury and FCA, with the 
objective	of	finding	solutions	to	overcome	the	barriers	to	
investing in long term, less liquid assets, with a particular 
focus on DC pension scheme investment. 

Stakeholder engagement

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

69

Stakeholder engagement 
continued

Engagement with our stakeholders continued

Communities

Overview
Contributing positively 
to wider society enables 
us to create stronger 
communities and have 
a positive environmental 
impact.

Engagement
Continuing engagement
•  The Board receives an annual update on the Corporate Social Responsibility 

(CSR) strategy.

•  The Group Environmental Committee (GEC) is responsible for providing 
strategic direction for the management of environmental impact, with a 
particular focus on the delivery of our strategic response to climate change.
•  Jeff Davies is the Group Board sponsor of the climate report, whilst, as noted 
above, Lesley Knox is Group Board sponsor for Modern Slavery. These Board 
members drive the agenda in relation to the respective subject area, receive 
reports	back	on	targets	and	plan	the	upcoming	five-year	strategy.	

•  Our continued relationship with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme 
enables us to support young people across the UK and US, especially 
important given the impacts of Covid-19 on young people’s prospects.
•  Sir Nigel Wilson, our Group Chief Executive, continued as a member of the 
government’s expert advisory groups on social care and life sciences, as 
well as chairing the Bank of England/FCA Climate Financial Risk Forum 
workstream on innovation.

•  We demonstrate our continued commitment to net zero through our 

membership of the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative and the Net Zero 
Asset Owner’s Alliance.

•  Responding to the challenges of ageing demographics is a strategic priority 

for us and we are pleased to continue to support the University of Edinburgh’s 
Advanced Care Research Centre.

Additional current year engagement
•  Michelle Scrimgeour, CEO of our investment management business, led our 
engagement at the COP26 summit in Glasgow in November in her capacity 
as co-Chair of the government’s COP26 Business Leaders Group. As part of 
our engagement with COP26, we made a range of commitments in support 
of our ambition to align with the 1.5°C ‘Paris’ objective. Michelle and John 
Godfrey, our Group Corporate Affairs Director, delivered an update on COP26 
outcomes to the GEC in November to develop the Committee’s knowledge 
and outlook. 

•  In October, Philip Broadley, our Senior Independent Director, hosted a 

business breakfast with His Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex and a number 
of	high	profile	business	leaders	at	our	London	Headquarters	to	discuss	
employers’ roles in supporting young people’s prospects in employment.

•  Following LGC’s launch of its residential housing arm, Suburban Build to Rent, 
members of the Group Board visited one of our Build to Rent sites in Bristol 
to	see	first-hand	the	impact	of	the	investment	on	the	community.	The	Board	
also held a strategy event in Oxford and received a tour of the city which 
highlighted the impact of our investments. 

•  Members of the Group Board visited The Interchange building in Cardiff 

Central Square. The Interchange is a testament to our purpose of inclusive 
capitalism, as we continue to invest pension money in the future of cities 
and towns across the UK and develop buildings with net zero carbon targets. 
In	addition,	The	Interchange	will	be	the	new	office	for	our	Cardiff-based	
colleagues. 

Outcomes
•  Page 73 provides examples of some of our recent 

investments which have positively impacted 
communities.

•  We have established a partnership with Sir Michael 

Marmot and the University College of London Institute 
of	Health	Equity	in	order	to	explore	the	specific	role	
of business in addressing health inequity. An update 
was delivered to the Group Board in May and the Board 
were enthusiastic and supportive of the partnership, 
demonstrating our continued commitment to inclusive 
capitalism.

•  This year represented an important milestone for our 

Modular Homes business with contracts to deliver 185 
Modular Homes in Bristol and 95 highly-sustainable, 
energy	efficient	and	affordable	homes	in	Warminster.	
Legal	&	General	Modular	Homes	are	leading	the	way	in	
the delivery of high-quality, affordable and sustainable 
homes with each home achieving a minimum of energy 
performance	certificate	‘‘A’	rating	by	design.	Currently	
fewer than 2% of new build homes in the UK achieve this 
high standard. This will help support local communities 
by enabling councils and housing associations to deliver 
future development and housebuilding projects in 
shorter timescales. In September, the CEO of Modular 
Homes hosted a site visit in Bristol for members of the 
Group Board which included an overview of the Modular 
Homes housing delivery programme and sustainability 
benefits.	The	CEO	of	Modular	Homes	also	provided	an	
update to the Group Executive Committee in September.
•  In April we joined the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net 
Zero,	a	global	coalition	of	leading	financial	institutions	
committed to accelerating the decarbonisation of the 
economy.

•  As we look to implement our climate change 

commitments and targets, Nilufer von Bismarck 
was appointed as the designated non-executive director 
for climate and will act as a single point of contact for 
the business and as a conduit for the Board. 
•  Sir Nigel Wilson became a member of the Prime 

Minister and Chancellor’s Build Back Better Business 
Council which brings together a broad range of business 
leaders from across the whole British economy to work 
in partnership with the government in an effort to unlock 
investment and boost job creation.

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Governance

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Engagement with our stakeholders continued

Customers

Overview
Listening to our 
customers helps us to 
better understand their 
needs and provide 
suitable and reliable 
products and services.

Engagement
Continuing engagement
•  The Group Board receives a Customer Champion report annually. The report 
provides an update on progress made in relation to the customer journey and 
a view for the year ahead.

Outcomes
•  Throughout the year customer feedback has been 

positive, with 80% of respondents scoring us 7 or above 
in customer satisfaction ratings (65% of respondents 
gave us a 9 or 10).

•  The Group Risk Committee receives detailed customer Management 

•  Our telephony service level agreements (SLAs) have 

Information (MI) at each meeting and the Customer Champion attends each 
meeting to present to the Committee.

•  Subsidiary Boards are also in receipt of regular updates regarding customers.

Additional current year engagement
•  In	April,	Sir	John	Kingman	visited	our	Hove	office	and	undertook	various	call	
listening activities to gain a deeper understanding of the customer journey.
•  In November, Nilufer von Bismarck, one of our non-executive directors, spent 
a day with our Home Finance and Financial Advice team in Solihull. The team 
walked through the customer journey, shared insights from customer 
feedback and provided an overview of the future roadmap for developments. 
Nilufer also spent time call listening with our Retail Protection team in Cardiff 
in September to gain further insights into the customer journey.

•  The managing director of our newly formed Retirement Solutions business 
presented to the Board in July to provide insight into how customers are at 
the heart of our strategy. This included an overview of the extensive customer 
research that has taken place to develop our understanding of customer 
needs and expectations. 

•  During	the	first	half	of	2021,	the	Group	Executive	Committee	received	regular	
updates on customer performance to ensure any detrimental impacts to 
customer service as a result of Covid-19 were minimised. 

•  The CEO of our LGI Retail Protection business shares an additional monthly 
update with the Board which details the service recovery plan for customer 
claims and which includes detailed customer MI.

generally been strong and improved throughout the year. 
This was helped as our call centre colleagues were able 
to	return	to	the	office.	Where	SLAs	have	not	quite	been	
reached, the challenge and focus from the Board has 
helped shape the recovery plans of respective 
businesses.

•  After reviewing the customer journey and our customer 
research, we have delivered improvements that make 
it easier for our customers to connect with us. The 
number of customer logins to our digital portals 
increased by 30% in 2021 vs 2020. We’ve also improved 
our online functionality and introduced new self-service 
options which has led to a reduction in a number of our 
end-to-end customer journey times and increased 
self-service transactions by 29%.

•  A strong and persistent Board focus on our retail 

protection claims experience has improved claims 
timings	throughout	the	year.	In	Q4	2021,	the	time	it	took	
us to settle non-medical claims reduced by 19 days 
compared	to	Q2	2021.

•  Our continued focus on vulnerable customers has 

meant that our teams are better placed to identify and 
respond to instances of vulnerability. Some of our key 
successes have emerged from relationships with 
third-party organisations and charities. Across the 
group, we have used their expertise to help us 
understand customer needs, train our staff, improve our 
documentation, and provide additional support to our 
customers where appropriate.

•  In January, we launched two new services in an effort 
to make life simpler for our customers and address a 
growing	customer	need	–	a	‘stand-alone’	tracing	service	
to help customers track down lost or forgotten pension 
pots, and a consolidation solution, for those wanting 
to bring their various pension savings together.
•  To help our customers approaching retirement 

understand their options and better manage their 
financial	affairs	in	later	life,	we	have	introduced	a	free	
online course with The Open University to equip our 
customers with knowledge of retirement planning. 

Stakeholder engagement

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

71

Stakeholder engagement 
continued

Engagement with our stakeholders continued

Employees

Overview
Engaging with our people 
enables us to create an 
inclusive company 
culture and a positive 
working environment.

Outcomes
•  This year Lesley Knox, in her role as designated 

workforce director, has attended virtual meetings across 
our operating divisions, as well as in-person meetings 
where possible. A report from the designated workforce 
director, including details of activities throughout the 
year and the output of this engagement, is provided on 
page 74.

•  77% of employees took part in the fourth quarter Voice 
survey, providing 27,684 individual comments. Our 
employee satisfaction score fell by one point to 76 
compared to October 2020, although it remained above 
pre-Covid-19 levels (74 in March 2020).

•  Our	D&I	Council	sponsored	Count	Me	In,	a	communication	
campaign designed to improve the quality and quantity 
of diversity data we hold on our people. This led to an 
improvement in the completeness of our data. For 
instance, data held on ethnicity increased from 52.6% 
(December 2020) to 67.9% (December 2021). 

•  To recognise the importance of mental and physical 

wellbeing	to	our	employees,	our	Chief	Financial	Officer,	
Jeff Davies, was named as our executive sponsor for 
wellbeing. We continued to support our Mental Health 
First Aider network and promote employee access to 
wellbeing resources including our Employee Assistance 
Programme and Unmind mobile app, as well as 
introducing new wellbeing-focused training for line 
managers,	a	constituency	we	identified	as	key	for	
promoting overall wellbeing. We also arranged virtual 
wellbeing and mindfulness sessions for employees led 
by individuals with personal experience, such as Fearne 
Cotton and Roman Kemp, our Wellbeing Ambassador.

•  This year we launched a new menopause policy as 
a result of feedback from our employees about the 
need for better provision on this topic. 

•  The insights and data gathered from our Future of Work 

surveys, which was supplemented by stakeholder 
interviews and engagement with employee 
representatives, has helped inform our Group Executive 
Committee’s planning for the post-Covid-19 workplace.

Engagement
Continuing engagement
•  Lesley Knox continued in her role as designated workforce director and 
reported to the Board at each meeting on employee-related matters.
•  We continued with our Voice surveys, widening the scope to include, for 
the	first	time,	employees	of	CALA	Homes	alongside	employees	from	
elsewhere within our group. The surveys continue to provide us with 
valuable insights on what is important to our employees. During 2021, 
the Board and Group Executive Committee received periodic reports 
on Voice data.

•  To continue to ensure engagement with employees during Covid-19, 

we continued with our efforts to update employees through our internal 
communications. Dedicated business partnering teams and a central 
internal communications function continued to provide updates, especially 
through The Hub, our digital workspace. This allowed members of our 
Group Executive Committee to communicate regularly with all employees 
on a range of themes including (but not limited to) business strategy, 
commercial updates, wellbeing, inclusion and climate change.
•  We	continued	to	engage	closely	with	employee	representatives	–	

particularly	through	our	partnership	with	Unite	–	to	ensure	that	our	offices	
remained Covid-19 safe.

•  Our	D&I	Council	–	chaired	by	Laura	Mason,	CEO	of	LGC,	and	comprising	
senior	leaders	from	across	the	business	–	continued	to	meet.	For	more	
information on our diversity and inclusivity progress and achievements, 
refer to page 48.

•  The Board has oversight of whistleblowing and receives an annual report 

as well as more detailed periodic reports when appropriate. Philip Broadley 
serves as the Group Board’s whistleblowing champion.

Additional current year engagement
•  Members of the Group Board hosted a celebratory employee lunch to mark 
the 25th anniversary of the group’s presence in Cardiff. This enabled the 
Board members to meet with, and listen to insights from, a range of 
employees from our different teams in Cardiff. 

•  As previously noted, members of the Group Board met with employees 

from	our	offices	in	Hove,	Cardiff	and	Solihull	this	year.	The	Board	welcomes	
the invaluable opportunities site visits provide the Board in being able to 
hear,	first	hand,	insights	and	opinions	from	our	employees.

•  The Group Chairman and Lesley Knox also took part in The Listening 

Project,	during	which	they	heard	first	hand	from	employees	from	a	range	
of	ethnic	backgrounds	about	their	experience	at	Legal	&	General	in	a	focus	
group setting.

•  With the shift in focus from managing the acute crisis of Covid-19 towards 

planning for a post-lockdown future, we engaged with our employees 
through our Future of Work surveys in March 2021.

•  Building on our 2020 efforts, further virtual town hall meetings were held 

during 2021, including for our full-year results. During 2021 we also 
launched	a	new	video	series,	Your	Question	Time,	in	which	employees	
were invited to ask members of the Group Executive Committee questions 
of interest. 

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Governance

Major decisions and 
discussions during 2021

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Stakeholder considerations are an integral part 
of the Board’s decision making and we seek 
to embed this in our key subsidiary boards 
and decision making committees throughout 
the organisation. As part of the submission 
to the relevant decision-making forum, all group 
and subsidiary Board papers must demonstrate 
that any potential impacts to stakeholders have 
been considered.

Whilst not all decisions affect every stakeholder 
group, our Board and Committees endeavour 
to	balance	the	sometimes	conflicting	needs	
of our stakeholders to ensure that all are treated 
consistently and fairly. When making key 
decisions, the Board is mindful of maintaining 
a high standard of business conduct and 
ensuring that decisions are taken to promote 
the Company’s long-term sustainable success.

You	can	find	our	s.172	statement	on	pages	68	
to 72. 

Some of the major decisions and considerations 
of key decision-making forums during 2021 
include:

Shareholders

Suppliers

Regulators

Communities

Customers

Employees

Major decision

Strategic link

Key stakeholder groups impacted

Setting and approval of a capital budget for the writing 
of new pension risk transfer business in 2021 in order 
to ensure continued prudent balance sheet 
management.

Approval of changes to Articles of Association to allow 
hybrid AGMs.

Approval of the £500 million joint venture between 
Legal	&	General	Capital	and	NatWest	Pension	Trustee	
Limited	(the	defined	benefit	pension	scheme	of	
NatWest Group) to fund the development of 5,100 
retirement homes across 34 schemes in England.

This decision demonstrates the execution of our strategic priority 
to become global leaders in pension de-risking and retirement 
income solutions.

The change to our Articles allows our shareholders and employee 
shareholders	greater	flexibility	in	deciding	how	they	wish	to	participate	
in our AGM through the use of technological innovation.

This transaction shows our commitment to investing in the real economy 
for	the	benefit	of	society	and	demonstrates	the	ability	of	our	Capital	
business to attract third-party capital to its investment portfolio in an 
effort to crystalise value for shareholders. In addition, this joint venture 
supports our aim to address climate change through the positioning 
of our own investments as the majority of the retirement homes will 
be net zero.

Approval of £105 million funding for the development 
of a new innovation district with the University of 
Oxford, extending Oxford’s existing BegBroke Science 
Park,	through	Legal	&	General	Capital’s	joint	venture	
with the University.

This transaction demonstrates our commitment to investing in 
long-term	assets	that	benefit	society;	the	first	phase	of	the	scheme	
will bring forward new teaching facilities, and future phases will seek 
to develop new affordable homes and subsidised key-worker 
accommodation.

Approval of Bruntwood SciTech, LGC’s joint venture 
with Bruntwood, to proceed with a partnership with 
the University of Manchester to deliver ID (Innovation 
District) Manchester, a new £1 billion innovation 
district across the city centre to accelerate the 
dissemination of the world-leading research.

This transaction aims to deliver our strategic priority of investing capital 
over the long-term, we aim to become leaders in direct investments 
whilst	benefitting	society	through	socially	responsible	investments.	
In addition, this investment supports our technological innovation 
ambitions by supporting the growth of the UK’s science and technology 
infrastructure.

Approval	to	sell	Legal	&	General’s	stake	in	MediaCity,	
LGC’s	long-standing	joint	venture	with	Peel	Land	&	
Property Group. 

This transaction is part of our dynamic and strategic approach 
to	recycling	profits	and	investing	in	new	projects	which	are	reviving	
town and city centres across the UK.

Looking at one of our major projects in more detail: 
Sale of the Personal Investing Business
Following the sale of LGIM’s Personal Investing legacy 
book of business (the “PI Business”) to Fidelity in 
2020, this year the Board oversaw the migration 
of eligible customers to Fidelity in tranches during 
the course of 2021. The migration process completed 
in December 2021. The PI Business comprised 
approximately 280,000 customers invested in ISA, 
Junior ISA and General Investment Account products, 
holding LGIM Funds. Post-transfer, the migrated 
customers remain invested in LGIM funds (unless they 
elect to transfer their investments to alternative funds) 
for which LGIM will continue to earn an investment 
management fee. 

Our	stakeholder	impact	analysis	identified	the	
following	risks	and	benefits	to	our	key	stakeholders:

Risk

Mitigant/Benefit

Risks associated 
with a failure to 
deliver the required 
customer outcomes.

Risk of negative 
impact on 
Legal	&	General	
employees dedicated 
to the PI business.

The impact on customers was a key consideration for the Board when 
considering and implementing the sale and transition of the PI Business to 
Fidelity. The LGIM team worked closely with Fidelity prior to the transaction 
being signed to assess the impact of the transaction on customers and to 
ensure that customer outcomes would be delivered, with a particular focus on 
costs and charges, continuation of service, availability of propositional features 
and	financial	stability/capital.	The	impact	on	customers	continued	to	be	
assessed by the Board through regular updates throughout the migration 
process.

At the time of the sale and throughout 2021, we worked closely with our trade 
union, Unite, to help employees explore available opportunities within the 
business and redeploy as many of the employee workforce dedicated to the PI 
business as possible. Where redundancies were unavoidable, we negotiated 
that employees would be paid out their notice periods rather than being required 
to work and agreed to pay enhanced pro-rated bonuses for 2021, to which 
employees would not generally be entitled.

Risks with regulatory 
engagement.

There was proactive engagement and dialogue with the FCA throughout the sale 
and migration process.

Major decisions

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

73

Employee engagement

Lesley Knox
Designated workforce director

Covid-19 overshadowed 2020 
and has also impacted 2021, 
but for many employees 2021 
has been a return to more 
normal ways of working and 
a gradual return to the office. 
This meant that as the year 
went on, the issues and 
feedback raised by employees 
with me changed too.

Throughout the year, I continued to meet 
employees, both virtually and in person, as part 
of my plan to engage with them and represent 
their	views.	My	model	of	“listen,	reflect	and	
represent” has held good throughout this time. 
The frequency of discussion about people 
issues at the Board throughout the past three 
years	shows	how	seriously	Legal	&	General	
takes understanding the views of its people.

During	the	first	half	of	2021,	the	safe	
re-occupation	of	our	office	spaces	was	the	key	
concern raised in meetings. Understandably, 
there were health and safety questions, especially 
amongst	those	who	had	not	accessed	offices	at	
all during lockdown. The work we did during 
2020	to	keep	offices	safe	stood	us	in	good	stead	
for 2021: safety measures were well understood, 
observed very strictly, and audited by Unite and 
the Health and Safety Executive.

During	the	first	half	of	the	year	in	particular,	our	
employees took a keen interest in the future of 
work: our way of thinking about and describing 
how	we	will	use	office	and	home-based	working	
in combination in future. We knew from research 
carried out during the initial lockdown that 
employees valued elements of home working 
but	missed	the	interpersonal	contact	that	office	
working brings, as well as, in some cases, being 
in far from ideal situations for working at home.

Further research carried out during March 2021, 
borne out by conversations I have had with 
employees, showed that the preference for the 
majority of our people would be a form of hybrid 
working, which is the assumption on which we 
have based our future of work plans.

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Governance

Other issues have also come to the fore during 
my engagements with employees. Some of 
them	have	been	specific	to	us,	especially	relating	
to	the	quality	of	office	facilities.	But	issues	larger	
than	Legal	&	General	have	been	part	of	the	
dialogue too. Examples include diversity and 
inclusion and wellbeing, which are all of great 
interest to the Board. I was pleased to be part of 
the Company’s “Listening Project”, in which the 
Chair and I met employees from various ethnic 
minority communities in order to understand their 
views	on	lived	experience	at	Legal	&	General	and	
in industry more broadly. Alongside similar 
sessions run for the Executive team, these were 
helpful in focusing the Company’s diversity and 
inclusion efforts in 2021.

As in 2019 and 2020, the mainstay of my 
engagements in 2021 was through informal 
and formal meetings with various groups of 
employees. This ranged from attending sections 
of team away days through to joining groups 
such as the Hove Health and Safety Committee, 
the LGC culture champions and the Modern 
Slavery Committee. I also received regular 
updates on the results of our employee survey, 
Voice, which are presented to the Nominations 
and Corporate Governance Committee as 
a matter of course.

Our employees continue to give positive feedback 
about	the	efforts	taken	by	Legal	&	General	
to keep them informed, through online 
communications, virtual town halls and video 
content, including the short videos designed 
to introduce our new non-executive directors.

2021	was	the	final	year	of	my	role	as	the	
employee representative on the Board as I hand 
over to my successor Nilufer von Bismarck in 
April 2022, but I will continue to be interested 
in our employees and I look forward to hearing 
Nilufer’s reports to the Board. I would like to 
thank the employees I have spent time with over 
the last three years. Their openness in talking 
about	working	at	Legal	&	General	and	their	
suggestions have helped make it a better place 
for everyone to work.

Governance report

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

The UK Corporate Governance Code – 
committed to the highest standards
The 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code (the 
‘Code’) emphasises the role of good corporate 
governance in achieving long-term sustainable 
success. The principles of the Code are the 
standards against which we are required to 
measure ourselves during the year. Pages 80 to 
81 set out at a high level how we have complied 
with each of the principles, save in respect of 
pensions alignment required under Code 
provision 38 where we will achieve full 
compliance by 31 December 2022 as further 
detailed on page 103. The information required 
under Disclosure Guidance and Transparency 
Rule 7.2.6 can be found in the Directors’ report 
on pages 234 to 237. Each year, the Board 
reviews the group’s corporate governance 
framework and compliance with the Code.

The Board is committed to maintaining the 
highest standards of corporate governance 
across the group to support the delivery of our 
strategy, positive stakeholder relationships and 
the creation of long-term sustainable value for 
our shareholders.

The Board
The table in the adjacent column sets out the 
changes to the Board that have taken place over 
the course of the year. Nilufer von Bismarck OBE 
was appointed to the Board as an independent 
non-executive director in May 2021, bringing to 
the	Board	extensive	experience	in	financial	
services. Laura Wade-Gery was appointed to the 
Board in January 2022. Laura has extensive 
knowledge of digital transformation and customer 
experience.	Laura’s	appointment	reflects	the	
Company’s commitment to technological 
innovation as it seeks to become a market 
leader in the digital provision of insurance and 
other	financial	solutions.	We	also	announced	
the appointment of Tushar Morzaria who will 
join the Board in May 2022 as an independent 
non-executive director. Tushar will also take over 
from Philip Broadley as Audit Committee chair 
when he joins us. As the current Group Finance 
Director of Barclays Plc and with extensive 
financial	services	experience,	Tushar	is	very	well	
positioned	to	fulfil	the	duties	as	Audit	Committee	
chair. We have also recently announced that 
Toby Strauss will stand down from the Board at 
the end of April 2022 following his recent 
appointment as the Chair of Age UK and I would 
like to thank him for his very considerable 
contribution to the Board and especially as Chair 
of the Risk Committee. I will assume the role as 
the Chair of the Risk Committee on a temporary 
basis pending the appointment of Toby’s 
successor.

Julia Wilson retired from the Board on 31 March 
2021 following a nine-year tenure in accordance 
with the Code. Philip Broadley has succeeded 
Julia as Senior Independent Director.

When considering the appointment of new 
directors, the Board has been mindful of the 
contribution and skillset that each new appointee 
will bring to the Board. The Board continues 
to focus on maintaining a well-balanced and 
diversified	Board,	with	the	right	mix	of	individuals	
who can apply their wider business knowledge 
and experiences to the setting and oversight of 
delivery of the group’s strategy.

Changes to the Board during the year 
and to the date of this report

Appointments

Retirements

Nilufer von Bismarck
1 May 2021

Julia Wilson
31 March 2021

Laura Wade-Gery
3 January 2022

Tushar Morzaria
27 May 2022

Toby Strauss
29 April 2022

How the Board operates
The Board is led by the Chairman, Sir John 
Kingman. The day-to-day management of the 
company is led by Sir Nigel Wilson, the Group 
Chief	Executive	Officer.	The	non-executive	
directors play a key role in our governance 
framework and culture, and their roles are not 
limited to the boardroom. Examples of some 
of the other activities they have undertaken 
during the course of the year are set out on 
pages 68 to 72.

The Board is accountable for the long-term 
success of the Company by setting the group’s 
strategic objectives and monitoring performance 
against those objectives. The Board meets 
formally on a regular basis and at each meeting 
considers business performance, strategic 
proposals, acquisitions and material transactions 
in the context of the group’s strategic plans, risk 
appetite, the interests of the group’s stakeholders 
and our social purpose. The Board and the 
boards of the group’s subsidiaries operate within 
a	clearly	defined	delegated	authority	framework,	
which is fully embedded across the group.

The delegated authority framework ensures that 
there is an appropriate level of Board 
contribution to, and oversight of, key decisions, 
and that the day-to-day business is managed 
effectively. The delegated authority framework 
includes	a	clearly	defined	schedule	of	matters	
reserved for the Board. The types of matters 
reserved include, amongst other things, matters 
relating to the group’s strategic plan, material 
transactions, risk appetite, and oversight of 
systems of internal control and corporate 
governance policies. Those matters which 
are not reserved are delegated by the Board to 
group-level committees and to the Group Chief 
Executive	Officer	who	then	delegates	decision	
making onward to the Group Capital Committee, 
an executive decision-making forum, and his 
direct reports.

How the Board spent its time in 2021
The Board held eight full formal Board meetings 
during 2021, including two strategy events. 
Board sub-committees were also constituted 
on a number of occasions in order to deal with 
matters arising in the ordinary course of 
business outside of the formal schedule of 
meetings. The Board also held a number of 
Board calls between formal meetings to keep 
abreast of business developments. A table of 
individual Board member attendance at the 
formal Board and Committee meetings is 
provided on page 78. The non-executive 
directors have a private meeting without the 
executives present after each Board meeting 
and otherwise when required. The non-executive 
directors, led by the Senior Independent Director, 
meet without the executive directors and the 
Chairman periodically to review the Chairman’s 
performance. Board members also meet 
informally with the executive and senior 
management on a regular basis outside of the 
formal meeting schedule.

The Board agenda is set by the Chairman and 
consists of the following broad discussion areas:

•  an update from the Group Chief Executive 

Officer,	the	Group	Chief	Financial	Officer	and	
a report from each of the key business 
divisions on business performance, key 
business initiatives, customer and employee 
engagement, control environment and culture.
regular updates from the Chair of each of the 
Group Committees and designated workforce 
director.

• 

•  discussions on strategic ambitions, 

acquisitions, material transactions and other 
material initiatives.
risk and compliance matters.
legal and governance matters.

• 
• 
•  people and employee engagement matters
•  ESG considerations.

The Board informs itself of the views of 
shareholders on a regular basis through updates 
from	the	Group	Chief	Executive	Officer	and	Group	
Chief	Financial	Officer,	as	well	as	an	update	from	
the Chairman following his annual schedule of 
investor meetings. The Board also receives 
regular updates from the Chairman and the 
Senior Independent Director following investor 
engagement.

Members of the senior management team and, 
as appropriate, individuals from the relevant 
business areas are invited to attend Board 
meetings in relation to key items, allowing the 
Board the opportunity to debate and challenge 
on initiatives directly with the senior management 
team along with the executive directors.

Governance report 

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

75

Governance report 
continued

Key areas of focus in 2021

Discussion and actions arising

Strategy 

•  At	its	December	meeting,	the	Board	considered	and	approved	the	group’s	five-year	business	plan.	This	included	a	review	of	the	divisional	

strategic	objectives,	initiatives	and	financial	and	non-financial	Key	Performance	Indicators.

•  The Board held a full-day strategy event in April which covered, among other things, the opportunities for the group to deliver value creation 
through ESG and the continued focus on scaling asset origination capabilities in LGC. The Board further discussed in detail the group’s 
medium-term strategy which includes scaling our alternative asset businesses and internationalising the group’s diverse businesses 
in selected markets with a focus on growth in the US and Asia, leveraging existing strengths across the group. 

•  The Board held a further two-day offsite strategy event in November which covered areas such as our people and the retail retirement 

strategy. The Board also discussed internationalisation opportunities for LGIM. The event was held in Oxford and the Board visited a number 
of development sites as part of our Oxford University Development partnership.

•  The Board considered strategic ambitions at its Board meetings and further considered corporate and material transactions, including 

consideration of material pension risk transfer transactions, to ensure that proposed transactions were aligned with the group’s strategy 
and risk appetite. The Board had early sight of pipeline initiatives.

•  The Board reviews and oversees material strategic projects, including in respect of a new global operating model and IT platform for LGIM 

and the group’s preparation for the implementation of IFRS 17.

Covid-19

•  The Board continued to monitor and scrutinise the impact of Covid-19 on the group and the group’s response to it, including moving the 

business back to a business as usual position.

•  The Board received regular updates on, and had regular discussions in relation to, the group’s return to the workplace, including the 
importance of preserving our collaborative culture balanced with ensuring the safety of the workforce and taking into account the 
workforce’s views on hybrid ways of working.

•  Discussions	and	actions	focused	on	ensuring	the	continued	resilience	of	the	group	both	financially	and	operationally,	the	continued	servicing	

of the group’s customers and ensuring the safety of the group’s people, in addition to the close monitoring of the wider macro-economic 
environment.

Governance and 
risk management

•  Following an external Board evaluation in 2020, the Board conducted an internal Board evaluation in 2021 which was externally facilitated 

by Board evaluation specialists Independent Board Evaluation. An action plan was drafted and agreed by the Board following the evaluation.
•  Following recommendations from the Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board approved the appointment of two new 

non-executive directors to the Board.

•  The Board regularly received and discussed reports from the Group General Counsel and Company Secretary on legal matters, emerging 

regulation and governance changes.

•  The	Board	regularly	received	and	discussed	reports	from	the	Chief	Risk	Officer	on	risk	and	compliance	matters,	including	an	annual	report	

on	whistleblowing	and	the	report	on	our	review	of	management	of	conflicts	of	Interest.

Stakeholders

•  During the year, the Board regularly considered the group’s relationship with various stakeholder groups. It discussed customers, 
shareholder matters, employee engagement, and the group’s impact on, and relationship with, wider society and the environment.
•  The Board has focused deep dives, for example sessions with the executive nominated as the Group’s Customer Champion, and it 

considered these matters as part of its decision making on strategic proposals.

•  Employee engagement continued to be a focus for the Board in 2021 with Lesley Knox, the designated workforce director, providing regular 
updates	on	engagement	with	the	workforce,	the	results	of	the	employee	surveys	and	visits	to	a	number	of	Legal	&	General	office	locations.	

•  The Board approved a proposal to update the Company’s Articles of Association to permit hybrid AGMs to allow our shareholders to have 
greater	flexibility	in	deciding	how	they	wish	to	participate	in	our	AGMs	and	with	a	view	to	promoting	greater	participation	and	engagement.	
•  The Board regularly discussed furthering the group’s agenda to create a diverse and inclusive organisation, including with regard to gender 

and ethnicity.

•  During the year a number of Board members visited the Modular Homes and Build to Rent sites in Bristol and were also given a tour of the 
new	Cardiff	office	and	Legal	&	General’s	regeneration	of	Cardiff	Central	Square.	Board	members	also	met	with	employees	in	Cardiff	to	
celebrate	Legal	&	General’s	25th	anniversary	of	being	in	Cardiff.

•  Board	members	visited	Oxford	as	part	of	their	offsite	strategy	event	and	met	with	members	of	the	community	to	see	first-hand	the	impact	

of	Legal	&	General’s	investment	in	the	city.

•  As	part	of	her	induction,	Nilufer	von	Bismarck	visited	our	Solihull	office	to	meet	with	colleagues,	listen	to	insights	from	customer	feedback	
and an overview of the future roadmap for developments. Nilufer also visited our Retail Protection colleagues in Cardiff and participated 
in call listening exercises to learn about the customer journey.

•  Board members met regularly through the year with key regulators, the Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority 

and feedback from the meetings was discussed at each Board meeting.

ESG

•  The Board regularly received updates and discussed the range of activities the group is pursuing in respect of climate change. Simon Gadd 

was appointed as the Group Climate Change Director and works alongside the Board to develop the group’s thinking and planning. 

•  The Board appointed Nilufer von Bismarck as designated non-executive director for climate to act as a single point of contact on climate 

matters for the business and to act as a conduit for the Board.

•  Whilst considering new investments, the Board ensured that they aligned with the group’s macro growth drivers, such as addressing climate 

change and investing in the real economy to bring societal change.

•  The Board received an in-depth climate ‘stock-take’ update which set out how the group is approaching the challenges and opportunities 
associated	with	the	climate	change	crisis.	The	update	highlighted	the	importance	of	embedding	Legal	&	General’s	response	to	climate	
change and broader environmental impacts into the way it operates.

•  Michelle Scrimgeour led the group’s engagement at the COP26 summit in Glasgow in November in her capacity as co-chair of the 

government’s COP26 Business Leaders Group. As part of our engagement with COP26, we made a range of commitments in support of our 
ambition to align with the 1.5°C ‘Paris’ objective. Michelle and John Godfrey, our Group Corporate Affairs Director, provided an update to the 
Board on the conference and its outcomes.

•  The Board received updates on the group’s housing property portfolio, including an update on our Modular Homes business which helps 
councils	and	housing	associations	deliver	affordable	homes	in	shorter	delivery	timescales	to	benefit	towns	and	cities	across	the	UK.	

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Governance

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

The group IT community was at the forefront 
of the group’s Covid-19 response as the group 
moved to a more agile way of working. The 
Technology Committee continued to assess the 
impact of Covid-19 on the group’s technology 
estate and our technology suppliers throughout 
2021. 

In 2021 the Committee:

• 

received regular updates from the 
Technology Executive Committee and 
the Executive Security Committee.
reviewed risks relating to cyber security 
and the cyber-resilience of suppliers.
•  Focused on the group’s cyber security, 

• 

• 

information security and access 
management programmes.
reviewed and endorsed the organisation 
and operating model in place for IT and 
cyber security and subsequently considered 
its ongoing suitability.

•  maintained oversight of the overall resilience 
of the group’s IT systems and reviewed and 
approved divisional technology 
transformation programmes.

• 

• 

•  maintained oversight of the group’s IT, digital 
and cyber strategies and the corresponding 
implementation plans.
received deep dive insights into major IT 
and cyber programmes across the group.
received updates on the technological 
threats and opportunities available to 
the group.
received updates on the group’s data 
capabilities and the opportunities this 
could create.
received presentations from external 
speakers to provide an overview of industry 
trends and potential threats in relation to 
cyber security.

• 

• 

Ensuring our directors have the right 
skills and experience to maintain an 
effective Board
The Board believes that continual director training 
and development is important to maximise the 
effectiveness of the Board. The Chairman is 
assisted by the Group Company Secretary in 
providing all new directors with a comprehensive 
induction programme on joining the Board. This 
includes a series of meetings with members of 
the Board and with the group’s operational and 
functional leadership, external advisers to the 
group and a programme of meetings with 
employees. This ensures directors obtain a 
detailed insight into the group, it’s businesses 
and governance framework as well as the 
regulatory macro environment in which it operates.

The key areas of the Board’s induction 
programme include:

•  an introduction to the group’s corporate 
structure, governance framework and 
guiding principles.

•  a meeting with the Group Company Secretary 

who provides detail on the roles and 
responsibilities of the Board, delegated 
authority framework, listed company 
requirements and the requirements of the 
UK Corporate Governance Code, and how 
the group complies with its principles.
•  meetings with the CEO of each business 
division to receive an overview of each 
business area, including information around 
strategic goals, risk overview and 
management,	customers,	and	key	financial	
and	non-financial	KPIs.

•  meetings with members of the Board, 
the Executive Committee and senior 
management, covering areas such as:
 – group risk management
 – compliance
 – group internal audit
 – finance
 – remuneration
 – investor relations and corporate affairs.
•  a meeting with the Group Actuary focusing 

on regulatory capital and the group’s Internal 
Model.

•  meetings with the Chairs of the Risk, 
Remuneration and Audit Committees.

•  a meeting with the external auditor.

In addition, all Board members receive continuing 
education and development at regular intervals 
throughout the year. It is the responsibility of the 
Chairman to ensure all directors have the necessary 
knowledge and training. Board and Committee 
meetings are used regularly to update the Board 
on developments in the areas in which the group 
operates,	and	specific	training	sessions	for	
directors are scheduled for key topical issues. 
In the year, each director was given the 
opportunity to meet with the Group HR Director 
to	discuss	any	specific	focus	areas	for	training.	

For example, in 2021 the Board received detailed 
training sessions on technology risk and 
governance, cyber security and IFRS 17. The 
Board non-executive directors also visited our 
business operations in different locations and 
attended	one-to-one	briefing	sessions	with	key	
members of the senior management team on a 
regular basis over the year.

Technology Committee
The Technology Committee was established 
in January 2018 primarily to provide assurance 
to the Board on the delivery of the group’s 
programme to implement planned enhancements 
to the group’s IT estate, and to ensure the group 
was operating within it’s targeted access 
management, information security and cyber 
risk appetite. Following the successful delivery 
of the 2018 enhancements to the IT estate and 
significant	improvements	in	the	group’s	IT	
controls, in July 2020 the Technology Committee 
decided to focus its attention on more strategic 
matters. As part of this transition, two executive 
committees reporting into the Technology 
Committee were refocused to allow the 
Technology Committee to place reliance on the 
IT mechanisms and controls in place at an 
executive level. In addition, the meetings were 
lengthened to facilitate more comprehensive 
strategic discussion. The Technology Committee 
now focuses primarily on the Company’s IT, 
digital and cyber strategies and their 
implementation plans and strategic technology 
opportunities for the group.

Its other responsibilities include:

•  overseeing the control environment in place 

for information technology and cyber security.

•  overseeing technology aspects of major 

• 

• 

change programmes and understanding their 
strategic contribution and risks.
reviewing risks relating to IT and cyber 
security and plans for mitigation or treatment.
reviewing and approving any proposed 
technology projects and contracts within 
its remit of responsibility.

•  considering current capability relating to 

technology, cyber and digital skills and plans 
to address any gaps.

•  considering the adequacy, resilience and 

performance of suppliers and supply chains 
for IT and cyber.

During 2021, the Committee membership 
comprised the Chairman and four independent 
non-executive directors, including the Senior 
Independent Director and the Chairs of the Audit 
Committee and Risk Committee. In addition, one 
of	the	Group	CEO,	Group	CFO,	Chief	Risk	Officer	
and	Chief	Technology	Officer	are	expected	to	
attend all meetings; in practice, all four of these 
executive members attend. The Committee is 
advised by three independent cyber and IT experts. 
The Committee met four times during 2021.

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77

Governance report 
continued

Board and Committee meetings attendance 
during 20211

Director

Appointment date

Chairman and executive directors

Sir J Kingman2

Sir N D Wilson

J Davies

Non-executive directors

H Baldock3

N von Bismarck4

P Broadley

L Knox5

G Lewis6

R Lewis7

T Strauss

J Wilson8

24 October 2016

1 September 2009

9 March 2017

4 October 2018

1 May 2021 

8 July 2016

1 June 2016

1 November 2018

18 June 2020

1 January 2017

9 November 2011

Committee 
appointments

Board (8)

Audit 
Committee (5)

Nominations 
and Corporate 
Governance 
Committee (3)

Remuneration 
Committee (5)

Risk 
Committee (5)

Technology 
Committee (4)

8/8

8/8

8/8

8/8

5/5

8/8

8/8

8/8

8/8

8/8

2/2

1/1

4/4

5/5

1/1

5/5

5/5

1/1

3/3

3/3

3/3

3/3

3/3

3/3

2/3

3/3

4/4

3/3

4/4

4/4

5/5

5/5

5/5

1/1

5/5

5/5

3/3

5/5

5/5

5/5

5/5

5/5

1/1

1.  Attendance at meetings in accordance with the formal schedule of meetings.
2.  Attends all Audit, Remuneration and Risk Committee meetings as an invitee.
3.  Stood down from the Audit Committee on 31 March 2021.
4.  Appointed to the Board, Audit Committee, Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee  

and Technology Committee on 1 May 2021 and subsequently to the Risk Committee on 1 July 2021.

5.  Stood down from the Audit Committee on 31 March 2021.
6.  Appointed to the Remuneration Committee on 7 October 2021.
7. 

   Unable to attend January Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee meeting due 
to a family bereavement.

8.  Retired from the Board on 31 March 2021.

Committee membership key

 Audit   Nominations	and	Corporate	Governance	
 Remuneration   Risk   Technology   Committee	Chair

continue	to	reflect	important	focus	areas	for	
the Board, namely (i) the continued and active 
oversight of Board and senior management 
succession and (ii) developing newer non-
executive directors’ knowledge of the business, 
including through site visits to see the business 
and	investments	first-hand.	Furthermore,	the	
Board is focused on embedding relationships 
following a period where physical engagement 
has been made more challenging as a result 
of Covid-19. Progress to implement the 
recommendations is underway and is monitored 
by the Group Company Secretary and reported 
to the Board at each Board meeting.

Board evaluation
The effectiveness of the Board is essential to 
the success of the group. The Board undertakes 
a formal and rigorous review of its performance 
and that of it’s Committees and individual 
directors each year. In accordance with the 
Code, the Board commissions externally 
facilitated reviews regularly. The Board conducted 
an external evaluation in 2020 which was 
facilitated	by	Ffion	Hague	at	Independent	Board	
Evaluation (IBE), an external Board review 
specialist. IBE had not previously undertaken 
a Board evaluation for the Company and has no 
other connection with the Company or individual 
directors. The recommendations from the 2020 
evaluation were reviewed and approved by the 
Board and regular updates on progress were 
provided at each Board meeting throughout the 
year. There is further detail on the progress the 
Board has made against those recommendations 
reported on the following page. In 2021 the 
Board undertook an internal review which was 
externally facilitated by IBE and commenced 
in October 2021. In addition, the Senior 
Independent Director formally appraised the 
Chairman’s performance. The Board has 
reviewed	the	findings	and	approved	the	
associated actions. The Board is kept up 
to date on the progress made against the 
agreed actions. 

The aim of the review was to assess the 
effectiveness of the Board, both as a collective 
unitary Board, and at individual Board member 
level, in order to implement any actions required 
to become a more effective Board. The 
performance of each of the Board Committees 
was	also	assessed.	Questionnaires	were	issued	
to every Board member, according to a set 
agenda tailored for the Board, which had been 
agreed in advance with the Chairman and Group 
Company	Secretary.	Following	the	final	report,	
recommendations were considered by the Board 
and an action plan for areas of focus was agreed.

The Board review focused on, among other 
things: Board accountability, focus and priorities; 
Board composition, expertise, decision-making 
and dynamics; succession planning; selection 
and induction of new members; oversight and 
implementation of strategy; communication 
and relationship with stakeholders; risk 
management; governance, including links with 
subsidiary boards; and Board support, including 
resourcing and quality and volume of papers 
and presentations. The tone of the feedback 
was very positive overall and indicated that the 
Board is working effectively, with Board members 
noting the further strengthening of the Board 
in key areas with new non-executive director 
appointments. The key recommendations 

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Governance

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

A summary of the recommendations from the 2020 board evaluation and progress against them is provided below:

Recommendations from 2020 review

Progress against 2020 recommendations

Ensure active and regular oversight of Board 
and senior management succession, discussing 
and agreeing succession options and timing for 
key roles.

There was a focused session on non-executive succession planning at the Nominations and Corporate 
Governance Committee meeting in May 2021. As a result of this session, and following a formal recruitment 
process, new non-executive directors were appointed during the year. 

Executive development and succession planning was discussed at the Nominations and Corporate 
Governance Committee meeting in May and further non-executive director calls were held to discuss 
succession.

Divisional CEOs are encouraged to bring members of their senior leadership team to Board meetings to 
give the Board the opportunity to meet and interact with some of the Company’s valued and high potential 
individuals across the business, allowing further visibility of the talent pipeline. It is also an opportunity 
for these employees to meet with Board members and gain some insight into their roles and perspectives.

The Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee considered the succession plans in place for the 
role of designated workforce director at its May meeting. As a result, it was agreed that Nilufer von Bismarck 
will succeed Lesley Knox as the designated workforce director in April 2022.

The Board considers climate change to be a key area of focus. As a result, the Nominations and Corporate 
Governance Committee appointed Nilufer von Bismarck as the Board’s designated non-executive director 
for climate in January 2022.

The Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee also discussed succession planning for the chair 
of our Audit Committee following Philip Broadley’s six-year tenure in the role and his appointment as the 
Senior Independent Director in 2021. Tushar Morzaria will take over from Philip as Audit Committee chair 
when he joins the Board in May 2022. As the current Group Finance Director of Barclays Plc and with extensive 
financial	services	experience,	Tushar	is	well	positioned	to	fulfil	the	duties	as	Audit	Committee	chair.	

The Board has continued to focus on contingency, medium-term and long-term succession planning for 
the executive and senior management, with particular emphasis on leadership succession and capabilities 
evaluation. A formal process was undertaken which included both internal and external candidates to identify 
the	successor	to	Laura	Mason	as	Chief	Executive,	Legal	&	General	Institutional	Retirement	(LGRI),	following	
her	appointment	as	Chief	Executive,	Legal	&	General	Capital.	At	the	conclusion	of	that	process	and	following	
Committee discussions, a number of changes to our executive team were announced in October 2021, 
including Andrew Kail’s appointment to the role of Chief Executive, LGRI. It was further agreed that the group’s 
retail	and	insurance	businesses	(Legal	&	General	Insurance	and	Legal	&	General	Retail	Retirement)	would	
come	together	to	form	Legal	&	General	Retail	under	the	leadership	of	Bernie	Hickman.	Following	well-planned	
and appropriate handovers, the changes to the executive team took place in January 2022.

Nilufer von Bismarck was appointed to the Board in May 2021 and has undergone a thorough induction 
plan which has included meeting with all divisional Chief Executives and key senior personnel, site visits to 
operational centres and call listening exercises. It was important that Nilufer’s feedback was sought on the 
induction plan and she has worked closely with our Company Secretariat team to ensure she has been 
provided with all the necessary induction sessions to build her knowledge and understanding of the business. 
The same interactive approach will be adopted and encouraged for our further new non-executive directors. 

Develop newer non-executive directors’ knowledge 
of the business.

Refresh, test and clearly articulate the group’s 
medium-term strategy, especially looking beyond 
the current very strong pipeline.

The group’s medium-term strategy was discussed and debated at the Board strategy day in April. It was further 
considered at the Board’s two-day offsite strategy event in November 2021 where the Board focused its 
discussion on our people, future opportunities for the group and overseas expansion. 

Continue to enhance the support provided to the 
Board in terms of training, facilities and quality 
of papers.

Covid-19, coupled with the move to remote working, accelerated the Board’s digital journey. Improvements have 
been made to the Board’s video conferencing facilities to allow Board meetings to operate on a hybrid basis. 
Where Government restrictions have allowed, Board members have attended Board meetings in person in 
a socially distanced environment. 

Improving the quality of Board papers is an ongoing priority for the Company Secretariat team. In 2020, new 
formats for Board reporting were introduced to reduce the number of papers and length of reports. A glossary 
of acronyms was made available to Board members as a reference. A number of Executive Business Awareness 
sessions have taken place throughout the year to enhance the Board’s knowledge and understanding of key 
areas of the business.

Sir John Kingman
Chairman

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79

Committed to the highest standards

Compliance with the 2018 UK Corporate 
Governance Code (the ‘Code’): for the year 
ended 31 December 2021, we are pleased to 
report that we have applied the principles and 
complied with the provisions of the Code, save 
in respect of pensions alignment required 
under Code provision 38, where we will achieve 
full compliance by 31 December 2022 as 
further detailed on page 103.

1. Board leadership and company purpose
A. Board’s role
There is a formal schedule of matters reserved 
for the Board that sets out the structure under 
which the Board manages its responsibilities, 
providing guidance on how it discharges its 
authority and manages the Board’s activities. 
The schedule of matters reserved is reviewed 
and approved by the Board on an annual basis. 
Our governance framework means we have 
a robust decision-making process and a clear 
framework within which decisions can be made 
and strategy can be delivered. Our delegated 
authority framework ensures that decisions are 
taken by the right people at the right level with 
accountability up to the Board, and enables 
an appropriate level of debate, challenge and 
support in the decision-making process. The 
Company continues to be led by an effective 
and entrepreneurial Board; a yearly planner is 
reviewed at each Board meeting to ensure the 
most important and current topics are discussed 
at meetings throughout the year. Board 
members are encouraged to discuss strategic 
matters with relevant executives on an ongoing 
basis. The Board’s main activities throughout the 
year are detailed on page 76. 

B. Purpose and culture
The Board held a strategy meeting in April 2021 
and met for a two day, offsite strategy event in 
November 2021 to consider the group’s strategy. 
The Board regularly reviews the Chief Risk 
Officer’s	conduct	report,	providing	insight	into	
culture across the organisation and helping to 
ensure behaviours throughout the business 
align with the Company’s purpose, values and 
strategy. Furthermore, the Board is responsible 
for overseeing implementation of the group-
wide diversity and inclusion policy which applies 
to all individuals directly employed by the group 
and forms the basis of engagement with 
customers and suppliers. Board members 
participate in site visits enabling them to meet 
with a number of our stakeholders and gain 
first-hand	insight	into	culture	in	the	various	
business divisions. As part of these site visits, 
Board members will set aside time to meet with 
smaller groups of employees to speak directly 
with them both with and without management 
present. Employees are invited to ask questions 
and feedback is provided to the next Board 
meeting. The Chairman, Group Chief Executive 
and	Group	Chief	Financial	Officer	have	also	
hosted virtual town hall events throughout the 
year. Lesley Knox, designated non-executive 

director for engagement with the workforce, 
provided feedback at each Board meeting, 
alongside periodic feedback from the Voice 
survey and the annual performance review 
process which helps directors to assess Company 
culture. Lesley Knox has also met with employees 
to	discuss	Legal	&	General’s	culture	and	values	
and has attended various team meetings and 
away days to experience the culture herself. 
Lesley encourages an open and transparent 
question and answer session at each meeting 
she joins and will progress actions arising from 
these meetings. Additionally, when the Board is 
considering entering a new market or business 
area, culture plays a major part in discussions 
and Board members remain conscious of the 
need to embed the Company’s inclusive culture 
in any new business. Building an inclusive 
culture enables innovation, better decision 
making and embodiment of our three behaviours: 
straightforward, collaborative and purposeful. 
Further information on the purpose of the 
company is provided on page 2.

C. Resources and controls
The Board’s agenda is set by the Chairman and 
deals with those matters reserved for the Board, 
including matters relating to the group’s strategic 
plan, risk appetite, and systems of internal 
control and corporate governance policies. 
Matters delegated to the Group Chief Executive 
Officer	include	managing	the	group’s	business	
in line with the strategic plan and approved risk 
appetite and responsibility for the operation of 
the internal control framework. The Group Risk 
Committee assists the Board in the oversight of 
the risks to which the group may be exposed and 
provides the Board with strategic advice in 
relation to current and potential future risk 
exposures. The risk management framework 
supports the informed risk taking by our 
businesses, setting out those rewarded risks 
that we are prepared to be exposed to and the 
risks that we want to avoid. Further information 
on risk management can be found on pages 52 
to 59. 

D. Stakeholder engagement
Board members take an active role in engaging 
with shareholders and wider stakeholders. 
Further information on the Board’s engagement 
with stakeholders can be found on pages 68 to 
72. Board members receive feedback at each 
Board meeting from Lesley Knox on her role 
as designated workforce director and periodic 
feedback from the employee Voice survey 
enabling them to assess and monitor culture. 
Board members were able to visit a number 
of	Legal	&	General	sites	throughout	the	year	
and engaged with employees and members 
of the community.

E. Workforce engagement
In addition to Board members’ site visits, the 
designated workforce director meets with 
employees of various grades and across 
business divisions throughout the year, 
enabling visibility of workforce policies and 
practices across the organisation and how these 
align with the Company’s values and the group’s 
behaviours. There is a whistleblowing hotline 
available for any members of the workforce 
who wish to raise any concern of wrongdoing 
in the workplace. The Board has oversight of 
whistleblowing and routinely receives updates 
on this. Additionally, employees are encouraged 
to share their views through the Voice survey 
and with Lesley Knox, the designated workforce 
director. Further details are available on page 74. 
Details on the company’s approach to investing 
in and rewarding its workforce can be found on 
page 16 and page 112.

2. Division of responsibilities
F. Role of the Chairman
The Chairman sets the agendas for meetings, 
manages the meeting timetable and encourages 
an open and constructive dialogue during 
meetings, inviting the views of all Board members.

G. Composition of the Board
In addition to the Chairman, there were two 
executive directors and seven independent 
non-executive directors on the Board as at 
year-end. In January 2022, a further non-
executive director joined the Board bringing 
the number of independent directors to eight. 
The roles of the Chairman and Group Chief 
Executive	are	clearly	defined,	and	the	role	
profiles	are	reviewed	as	part	of	the	annual	
governance review undertaken by the Board. 
Sir John Kingman, the Chairman, is responsible 
for leading the Board while Sir Nigel Wilson, 
Group	Chief	Executive	Officer,	is	responsible	
for the day-to-day management of the Company 
within the parameters of the strategy set by the 
Board.	Sir	John	Kingman	was	identified	by	the	
directors as being independent on appointment.

H. Role of the non-executive directors
The non-executive directors’ engagement 
with management, constructive challenge and 
contribution to Board discussion are assessed 
as part of the Board’s annual effectiveness 
review. The non-executive directors’ letters 
of appointment set out the time commitment 
expected from them. At times, this time 
commitment may go beyond that set out in the 
letter of appointment and is therefore reviewed 
regularly. External commitments, which may 
have an impact on existing time commitments, 
must be agreed in advance with the Chairman 
and approved by the Nominations and Corporate 
Governance Committee under its delegation 
from the Group Board. In addition, the policy for 
the	identification	and	management	of	directors’	
conflicts	of	interest	is	reviewed	on	an	annual	
basis.	The	significant	commitments	of	each	

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Other information

4. Audit, risk and internal control
M. Internal and external audit
The Audit Committee comprises four 
independent non-executive directors and the 
Board delegates a number of responsibilities to 
the Audit Committee, including oversight of the 
group’s	financial	reporting	processes,	internal	
control and risk management systems and the 
work undertaken by the external and internal 
auditors. The Committee also supports the 
Board’s consideration of the Company’s viability 
statement and its ability to operate as a going 
concern. The Audit Committee chair provides 
regular updates to the Board on key matters 
discussed by the Committee. Details of how 
the Committee assesses the effectiveness and 
independence of the external auditors can be 
found on page 91. KPMG were appointed as 
the group’s external auditors with effect from 
the	financial	year	ended	31	December	2018	
following a tender process in 2016.

N. Fair, balanced and understandable 
assessment
The Strategic report, located on pages 2 to 59, 
sets out the performance of the Company, the 
business model, strategy, and the risks and 
uncertainties relating to the Company’s future 
prospects. When taken as a whole, the directors 
consider the annual report is fair, balanced and 
understandable and provides information 
necessary for shareholders to assess the 
Company’s performance, business model 
and strategy.

O. Risk management and internal control 
framework
The Board sets the Company’s risk appetite 
and annually reviews the effectiveness of the 
Company’s risk management and internal 
control systems. A description of the principal 
risks facing the Company is set out on page 56. 
Page 55 sets out how the directors have 
assessed the prospects of the Company, over 
what period they have done so and why they 
consider that period to be appropriate (the 
‘viability statement’). The Group Risk Committee 
considers assessments of the group’s current 
risk	profile	and	emerging	risk	factors,	facilitated	
by	the	Group	Chief	Risk	Officer.	The	activities	
of the Group Audit and Risk Committees are 
set out on pages 86 to 93.

of the directors are included in the Board 
biographies on pages 62 to 63. The Chairman’s 
commitments were considered as part of his 
appointment and the Board agreed that he had 
no commitments that were expected to have 
a negative impact upon his time commitment 
to the company. This is kept under review.

I. Role of the Company Secretary
Procedures are in place to ensure that Board 
members receive accurate and timely information 
via a secure electronic portal and all directors 
have access to the advice of the Group General 
Counsel and Company Secretary as well as 
independent professional advice at the expense 
of the Company.

3. Composition, succession 
and evaluation
J. Appointments to the Board 
and succession planning
The Nominations and Corporate Governance 
Committee is responsible for assessing the 
composition of the Board and, in making 
recommendations for appointments to the 
Board, the Committee considers the balance of 
skills, experience and knowledge needed in order 
to enhance the Board and support the company 
in the execution of its strategy. The Committee 
is committed to ensuring that all appointments 
are made on merit having evaluated the 
capabilities of all potential candidates against 
the requirements of the Board, with due regard 
for	the	benefits	of	all	types	of	diversity,	including	
gender. The Board Diversity and Inclusion Policy 
is published externally on the Company’s 
website: group.legalandgeneral.com/en/
about-us/corporate-governance/diversity 
A summary can be found on page 84 to 85.

K. Skills, experience and knowledge 
of the Board
In making recommendations for appointments, 
the Nominations and Corporate Governance 
Committee considers the balance of skills, 
experience and knowledge needed in order to 
enhance the Board and support the group in the 
execution of its strategy. Further details of the 
appointments undertaken during the year can 
be found on pages 82 to 83. All directors are 
subject to shareholder election or re-election at 
the AGM, with the exception of those directors 
who are retiring at the conclusion of the meeting. 
None of the non-executive directors have 
currently served over nine years on the Board. 

L. Board evaluation
The Board undergoes an externally facilitated 
evaluation every three years. An external Board 
evaluation was undertaken during 2020. The 
2021 annual report includes details of the 2021 
internal review which was externally facilitated 
by the Board evaluation specialists Independent 
Board Evaluation and commenced in October 
2021. An update on the progress made against 
the recommendations from the 2020 external 
review is also provided. 

5. Remuneration
P. Remuneration policies and practices
The Company aims to reward employees fairly 
and its remuneration policy is designed to 
promote the long-term success of the Company 
whilst aligning the interests of both the executive 
directors and shareholders. An updated 
remuneration policy was approved by 
shareholders at the 2020 Annual General 
Meeting. The directors’ remuneration policy 
is set out on pages 100 to 101.

Q. Executive remuneration
The Remuneration Committee is responsible for 
setting the remuneration for executive directors. 
No director is involved in deciding their own 
remuneration outcome.

R. Remuneration outcomes and independent 
judgement
Details of the composition and the work of the 
Remuneration	Committee	are	reflected	in	the	
Remuneration Committee Terms of Reference 
and set out in the Directors’ report on 
remuneration.

 UK Corporate Governance Code
A full version of the Code can be found on 
the Financial Reporting Council’s website. 
Please visit: frc.org.uk

Committee terms of reference
All Committee terms of reference 
can be found on our website: group.
legalandgeneral.com/committees

Committed to the highest standards

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

81

Nominations and Corporate 
Governance Committee report

Sir John Kingman
Chairman

The composition of the Committee
The Committee is composed of 
the Group Chairman and all the 
independent non-executive directors. 
The table below sets out the 
Committee membership during the 
year. The Group Chief Executive and 
Group HR Director may be invited 
to attend meetings where this may 
assist the Committee in fulfilling its 
responsibilities and, most notably, 
in relation to executive appointments 
and succession planning.

Members

Sir John Kingman (Chairman)

Henrietta Baldock

Nilufer von Bismarck (from May 2021)

Philip Broadley 

Lesley Knox

George Lewis

Ric Lewis

Toby Strauss

Julia Wilson (retired March 2021)

In line with our conflicts of interest 
management policy, directors are 
asked to absent themselves from 
any discussions relating to their 
own reappointment or succession.

The Committee’s terms of reference, 
which set out full details of the 
Committee’s responsibilities, can be 
viewed on our website:
group.legalandgeneral.com/
committees

The role of the Committee
The role of the Committee is to ensure that the 
Board’s composition, and that of its Committees, 
is appropriate to discharge its duties effectively 
and oversee the implementation of the 
Company’s strategy. The Committee has overall 
responsibility for leading the process for new 
appointments to the Board. It also ensures that 
these appointments bring the required skills and 
experience to the Board to support the Board’s 
role in the development and oversight of the 
group’s strategy. As part of this, the Committee 
reviews the structure, size and composition 
of the Board to ensure the Board is made up 
of the right people with the necessary skills and 
experience whilst striving to achieve a Board 
composition that promotes diversity of thought 
and approach.

The Committee’s key responsibilities are:

• 

regularly reassessing the structure, size and 
composition of the Board and recommending 
any suggested changes.

•  considering succession planning for directors 
and other senior executives. This takes into 
account the promotion of diversity and 
inclusion, the challenges and opportunities 
facing the company, and the skills and 
expertise needed by the Board in the future. 
In addition, the Committee ensures the 
continued ability of the company to compete 
effectively for talent in the market place.
reviewing the criteria for identifying and 
nominating candidates for appointment 
to	the	Board	based	on	the	specification	
for a prospective appointment including 
the required skills and capabilities.
identifying and nominating for approval of the 
Board,	candidates	to	fill	Board	vacancies	as	
and when they arise, taking into account other 
demands on directors’ time.

• 

• 

• 

reviewing the time commitment required 
from non-executive directors and assessing 
the	non-executive	directors’	other	significant	
commitments to ensure that they continue 
to	be	able	to	fulfil	their	duties	effectively.
•  overseeing and monitoring the company’s 

corporate governance framework, ensuring 
compliance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code while promoting the 
highest standards of corporate governance 
across the group.

•  monitoring and assessing the group’s 

commitment to diversity and inclusion across 
the group.

How the Committee spent its time in 2021 
Board composition and succession
In	the	first	half	of	the	year,	the	Committee	
undertook a rigorous review of the Board’s 
composition to support discussions on 
non-executive director succession. This included 
a capability assessment of Board members’ 
knowledge, skills and experience in the context 
of the Company’s short and medium-term 
strategy, supported by a self-assessment 
analysis undertaken by each individual director, 
as well as various other considerations including 
the tenure and independence of directors, and 
diversity. A key theme that emerged from the 
review was that the Board’s effectiveness in 
driving and monitoring technological innovation, 
one of the six growth drivers of the Company’s 
strategy, could be further enhanced with the 
addition of a director with digital or technology 
experience. A second theme, looking to 
Committee composition in particular, was that 
additional	accounting	and	financial	services	
experience	would	be	a	beneficial	addition	to	the	
Board’s knowledge and skills. The recruitment 
of the two new non-executive directors, Laura 
Wade-Gery, who joined the Board in January 
2022, and Tushar Morzaria, who will join the 

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determined that Nilufer von Bismarck has the 
necessary skills and experience to take on the 
role as the Board’s designated non-executive 
director for climate. Nilufer’s appointment will 
further bolster the Board’s focus on the group’s 
climate commitments.

The Committee is responsible for evaluating the 
independence of all non-executive directors and 
undertakes an annual review of each non-
executive director’s other interests. The Board, 
on the recommendation of the Committee, is 
satisfied	that	each	non-executive	director	serving	
at the end of the year remains independent and 
continues	to	have	sufficient	time	to	discharge	
their responsibilities to the company. 
The Committee is also responsible for 
overseeing and monitoring the group’s corporate 
governance framework which includes the 
following activities:

•  monitoring the group’s compliance with 
the UK Corporate Governance Code.

•  promoting the highest standards of corporate 

governance across the group.

•  considering and approving directors’ 

additional external appointments, taking into 
account other demands on directors’ time.
•  ensuring that on appointment to the Board 

non-executive directors receive a formal letter 
of appointment setting out clearly what 
is expected of them in terms of time 
commitment, Committee service and 
involvement outside Board meetings.
•  overseeing the process for ensuring that 
non-executive directors have tailored 
induction programmes on appointment and 
ongoing development programmes, including 
regular Executive Business Awareness 
sessions, designed to maximise their 
effectiveness.

•  overseeing the process by which the Board, 
each Committee and individual directors 
assess their effectiveness (including the use 
of an external facilitator periodically, as well 
as self-assessment) and reporting to the 
Board	on	the	findings	and	recommendations.

Details of the group’s compliance with the UK 
Corporate Governance Code have been provided 
on pages 80 and 81.

Board in May 2022 was undertaken with these 
themes as a priority, in addition to the 
overarching requirement that the appointee 
must be able to operate at a high level of 
financial	and	technical	complexity,	to	maintain	
effectiveness in overseeing the Company’s core 
strategic priorities. 

The Committee engaged independent external 
search	firm	Spencer	Stuart	to	undertake	a	full	
search against a description of the roles, the 
time commitment expected of directors and the 
Board diversity policy. Spencer Stuart was 
chosen	for	its	deep	knowledge	of	the	financial	
services and other relevant industries and its 
strong	experience	in	finding	diverse	and	
inclusive leaders. A list of potential candidates 
was	identified	and	these	candidates	were	
assessed	against	the	role	specification,	merit	
and	with	due	regard	for	the	benefits	of	all	forms	
of diversity on the Board, including diversity 
of gender, ethnicity and background. A short list 
of candidates was narrowed down from those 
on the long list and those candidates were 
invited to an interview process facilitated by the 
Chairman, the Group CEO, the Group HR Director 
and members of the Board. Following this 
extensive search, selection and interview process, 
the Committee, following discussion, recommended 
Laura Wade-Gery and Tushar Morzaria’s 
appointment to the Board. The Board approved 
the two appointments. Laura’s appointment took 
effect on 3 January 2022. Tushar Morzaria will 
join the Board from 27 May 2022.

Laura and Tushar are  highly experienced and 
respected individuals and will add further 
valuable experience and insight to the Board. 
The biographies of these two new non-executive 
directors are set out on pages 62 to 63  and 
show the strength and depth of skills and 
experience they bring to the Board. 

Succession
In addition to reviewing Board composition, 
and in line with the recommendations coming 
out of the 2020 Board evaluation, in 2021 
the Committee continued to focus on short, 
medium and long-term succession planning 
for the executive and senior management, with 
particular emphasis on how the composition 
of the executive management and senior 
leadership teams can facilitate delivering 
on the group’s six strategic growth drivers. 
The Committee reviewed management 
succession plans and debated areas for growth, 
strengthening and consolidation in the context 
of the Company’s strategy. Executive leadership 
of	the	Legal	&	General	Institutional	Retirement	
(LGRI) business was an important short-term 
succession focus for the Committee in 2021 
and critical for the delivery of the strategic pillar 
to be a global leader in pensions de-risking and 
retirement income solutions. A formal process 

was undertaken which included both internal 
and external candidates to identify the 
successor to Laura Mason as Chief Executive, 
following her appointment as Chief Executive, 
Legal	&	General	Capital.	At	the	conclusion	of	that	
process and following Committee discussions, 
a number of changes to our executive team were 
announced in October 2021, including Andrew 
Kail’s appointment to the role of Chief Executive, 
LGRI. In 2021, the executive organisation 
structure was reviewed to understand 
opportunities to maximise effectiveness on 
delivering on another strategic pillar of helping 
people	take	responsibility	for	their	own	financial	
security through insurance, pensions and 
savings. Following discussions, it was further 
agreed that the group’s retail businesses 
(Legal	&	General	Insurance	and	Legal	&	General	
Retail Retirement) would be combined under 
the leadership of Bernie Hickman. Following 
well-planned and appropriate handovers, 
the changes to the executive team took place 
in January 2022. 

The Committee also discussed succession 
planning for the chair of our Audit Committee, 
following Philip Broadley’s six year tenure 
in the role and his appointment as the Senior 
Independent Director in 2021. Tushar Morzaria 
will take over from Philip as Audit Committee 
chair when he joins the Board in May 2022. As 
the current Group Finance Director of Barclays 
Plc, the chair of the audit committee at BP plc 
and	with	extensive	accounting	and	financial	
services experience, Tushar is very well positioned 
to	fulfil	the	duties	as	Audit	Committee	chair.	
When considering Tushar’s appointment as 
Audit Committee chair, the Committee thought 
carefully about the time commitment required 
to undertake both this role and his other external 
commitments	and	satisfied	itself	that	Tushar	
has	sufficient	time	to	fully	commit	to	the	role.

The Committee also spent time considering 
the successor to Lesley Knox in her role as the 
designated workforce director. This was an 
important decision for the Committee as the 
group’s people are its most important asset. 
It therefore remains vital for the Board to ensure 
that it continues to hear the voice of the group’s 
employees through a variety of channels, 
including the designated workforce director. 
The Committee determined that Nilufer von 
Bismarck OBE will be an excellent successor. 

As detailed on pages 18 and 19, the group 
continues to show its commitment to 
addressing climate change, one of the group’s 
strategic growth drivers. As part of this, and 
to ensure the Board’s continued effectiveness 
in overseeing the successful implementation 
of the group’s strategy, the Committee was 
delighted to recommend to the Board 
a designated non-executive director for climate 
matters across the group. The Committee 

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83

Nominations and Corporate Governance 
Committee report continued

Our approach to diversity and inclusion
Our ambition is to create an inclusive culture at 
Legal	&	General,	where	we	can	all	perform	at	our	
best, no matter who we are. We believe not only 
that this is the right thing to do, but also that this 
aim is consistent with our objectives around 
inclusive capitalism. There is a clear commercial 
logic as well as a compelling moral case for this, 
and it underpins the actions we take to improve 
diversity and inclusion across the organisation. 

The Committee has three key areas of focus 
for the Board as part of driving diversity and 
inclusion across the group.

1. Building a diverse and inclusive Board 
An effective Board is one that embodies diversity 
of thought and background, and one which 
reflects	our	people	as	well	as	the	businesses	
and communities our organisation serves. 
Ensuring appropriate diversity in Board 
composition with the right mix of skills and 
experience has been a key focus for the 
Committee during the year. 

We are proud to have a Board which is diverse, 
both in terms of gender and ethnicity, but also 
diversity of thought and background. Our Board 
currently comprises 36% women and 64% men 
(this	figure	was	30%	women	and	70%	men	as	
at 31 December 2021, prior to Laura Wade-Gery 
joining the Board on 3 January 2022). 

As at 31 December 2021, 20% of the Board was 
from an ethnically diverse background, which 
exceeds the target in our Board Diversity Policy 
and the recommendations of the Parker Review. 

2. A more diverse and inclusive Senior 
Leadership Team
A diverse Senior Leadership Team is as 
important as a diverse Board, because we 
believe that executive decision-making is more 
effective if it takes into account a wider range 
of views and opinions. Therefore, we continue 
to hold ourselves to the stretching aspirational 
targets we set in 2017:

•  40% female representation at middle/senior 

management level. 

•  50% female representation across our total 

employee base.

As of 31 December 2021, female representation 
across the group stood at 44.5%, down 0.2% vs 
our position at the end of 2020. At the middle/
senior management level, representation was 
35.9%, up 0.3% vs our position at the end of 2020. 

Our Executive Committee comprises 25% 
women	and	75%	men,	with	two	of	our	five	
operating businesses led by a female CEO. 

Whilst we originally intended our gender targets 
to be achieved by the end of 2020, we have 
revised the outcome date to 2025. Our initial 
targets were aspirational, and, whilst it is 
disappointing to have missed them, we strongly 
believe in setting stretching targets to create 
focus. The new timeline remains challenging, 
although we have a clear plan to deliver against it.

We are committed to increasing the ethnic 
diversity of our workforce, including at our most 
senior grades. We have a clear strategy and plan 
to do this, which includes a focus on recruitment 
and retention of minority ethnicity talent and the 
creation of career development and progression 
opportunities for under-represented groups. 
Employee data is important to help us track 
progress and identify issues and we are keen 
to improve the quality of the data that we hold. 
As data is disclosed on a discretionary basis 
by employees, we have put our efforts into 
communicating the importance of this data, 
with the result that disclosure rates, for ethnicity, 
have increased in the year, from 52.6% to 67.9%. 
We will continue to engage our employees about 
the importance of sharing diversity data in 2022.

Recognising that our ethnicity data is not complete, 
as of 31 December 2021, minority ethnicity 
representation across the group stood at 11.9%. 
At senior management level, representation was 
12.0%. 

We continue to take practical and purposeful 
steps towards redressing under-representation 
in our workforce, including, during 2021:

•  a diversity and inclusion-led audit of our 

recruitment processes (early careers, core 
and volume hiring) across all diversity 
and inclusion dimensions including gender 
and ethnicity.

•  ongoing investment in development for line 
managers, with around 200 line managers 
taking	part	in	either	“D&I	Basics”	or	“Inclusive	
Line Management” training. 
the introduction of anonymised CVs into 
the recruitment process.

• 

•  continued investment in our employee 

networks	across	the	full	spectrum	of	D&I	
themes, including gender and ethnicity: 2021 
saw	the	launch	of	a	new	internal	Women	&	
Tech network to connect women working 
in technology and data roles and the 
development of a tech and digital recruitment 
campaign which cited attracting more women 
into these roles as an explicit objective.
•  provision of wellbeing resources including 
access to a backup network for child, adult 
and elder care.

•  ongoing external validation and 

benchmarking through the Women in Finance 
Charter, the Bloomberg Gender Equality 
Index, Invest in Ethnicity Matrix, Social 
Mobility Employers Index and Hampton-
Alexander Review.

3. Broadening the diversity & inclusion 
agenda across our organisation
Our Global Diversity and Inclusion Council 
(D&I	Council)	continued	to	promote	our	agenda	
of creating a diverse and inclusive business. It 
is chaired by Laura Mason, CEO of LGC and our 
Global	Diversity	and	Inclusion	Sponsor.	The	D&I	
Council is tasked with developing our plans for 
improving diversity and inclusion across the group.

The Board is responsible for overseeing the 
implementation	of	our	group-wide	D&I	policy.	
During 2021, members of the Board, including 
the Chairman, participated in The Listening 
Project, an exercise which involved 
Legal	&	General	employees	sharing	their	
perspectives on ethnic diversity and lived 
experience as employees of the group. 

Our	D&I	policy	applies	to	everyone	directly	
employed by the group and forms the basis 
of our engagement with our clients, suppliers 
and other third-party providers. Our standards 
include:

•  we will be fair and transparent, and treat our 
people with integrity and openness. We will 
be respectful of differences and we will not 
tolerate behaviour that marginalises, 
disadvantages or devalues others.

•  we	will	aim	to	build	a	workforce	that	reflects	
the diverse communities we serve. We will 
invest in our hiring processes so we can 
attract a more diverse pool of people, and 
we will tackle barriers that prevent us from 
attracting and retaining more diverse talent.
•  we will create an inclusive environment where 
people feel comfortable sharing their opinions 
and feel like they belong. We will encourage 
our people to embrace difference, to listen 
to other points of view, and work together 
to achieve the best outcome.

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•  we will ensure that everyone across 
Legal	&	General	understands	their	
responsibilities in driving an inclusive 
and diverse culture and the opportunities 
it can bring. 

Diversity
Gender

For	more	information	on	our	D&I	activity	during	
2021, please see page 48 of the Sustainable 
Business section of this report. 

The Committee recognises that being diverse 
itself will help to promote diversity when considering 
succession planning, assessing Board and 
executive candidates and recommending 
appointments to the Board. As at 8 March 2021, 
the Committee comprises 44% women and 56% 
men and comprises individuals from the 
following ethnic groups:

•  Asian	–	11%.
•  Black	–	11%.
•  White	–	78%.

The Committee only engages executive search 
firms	that	are	signatories	to	the	Voluntary	Code	
of Conduct for Executive Search Firms, which 
promotes gender diversity and best practice 
for corporate board searches. During the year, 
the company engaged Spencer Stuart, which 
is	a	signatory	to	this	Code.	This	search	firm	
has no other connection to the company or 
individual directors.

The	Committee	briefs	the	search	firm	to	ensure	
that the pool of candidates presented includes 
a diverse range of candidates with an appropriate 
range of experience, knowledge and background, 
and who demonstrate independence of approach 
and thought. As detailed on pages 82 to 83, this 
process was followed for the recruitment of our 
new non-executive directors. 

As at 31 December 2021 the Board comprised:

30% Women

70% Men

As at 8 March 2022: 36% Women and 64% men 

Tenure

As at 31 December 2021 the length of 
tenure of the non-executives varied:

0% Over six years

75% Between three and six years

25% Between zero and three years

Ethnicity

As at 31 December 2021 the Board comprised 
individuals from the following ethnic groups:

10% Asian

10% Black

80% White

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85

Finding what you need online
We have published our gender pay 
gap data which can be found online 
at group.legalandgeneral.com/reports

A summary is available on page 49 
of this report.

Audit Committee report

Committee members also meet regularly with 
management outside of formal Committee 
meetings to discuss topical issues and maintain 
their understanding of the group’s businesses.

During 2021, the Secretary of State for Business, 
Energy and Industrial Strategy issued an 
extensive and wide-ranging consultation 
on “Restoring trust in audit and corporate 
governance.” Members of the Committee 
reviewed the consultation and considered its 
implications for both the group and the Audit 
Committee	more	specifically,	as	well	as	in	the	
wider context of ensuring that the UK remains an 
attractive market for shareholders, investors and 
broader stakeholders. We are supportive of the 
early establishment and empowerment of the 
Audit, Reporting and Governance Authority 
(ARGA) to ensure that reforms and associated 
standards are suitably embedded in relevant 
professional and corporate bodies, and the 
Committee will continue to keep a close focus 
on any proposed legislation, changes in 
corporate governance requirements and 
emerging best practice to ensure that the group 
continues to be seen as a strong advocate of 
high quality and transparent audit and corporate 
governance.

Audit Committee focus for 2021
The	Audit	Committee	met	five	times	in	
accordance with its annual plan and additional 
informal meetings were arranged as necessary. 
In line with its purpose, the Committee’s time 
over the course of the year was spent in 
consideration of:

• 

• 

the	resilience	of	operational	and	financial	
controls in a continuing hybrid working 
environment.
the	integrity	of	the	company’s	financial	
statements and Solvency II disclosures, 
including consideration of the viability 
statement and going concern assessments.

•  key	accounting,	financial	reporting	and	

actuarial areas of judgement, including the 
impact of Covid-19, the presentation and 
transparency	of	the	group’s	financial	
disclosures, including consideration of the 
group’s Alternative Performance Measures.
the adequacy of climate disclosures, 
including consideration of the group’s 
climate report.
the adequacy and effectiveness of our 
systems of internal control, including 
whistleblowing.
the effectiveness, performance and 
objectivity of both the internal and external 
audit functions including an externally 
facilitated review of the Group Internal 
Audit function.
the group’s preparations for the transition to 
the new accounting standard for insurance 
contracts, IFRS 17.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Philip Broadley
Chairman of the Audit Committee

The composition of the Committee
The Committee is composed entirely 
of independent non-executive 
directors. The table below sets out its 
membership during the year.

Members

Philip Broadley (Chairman) 

Nilufer von Bismarck (from May 2021)

George Lewis

Toby Strauss

Henrietta Baldock (until March 2021)

Lesley Knox (until March 2021)

Julia Wilson (retired March 2021)

Other regular attendees at Committee 
meetings include the following:

Group Chairman; Group Chief 
Executive; Group Chief Financial 
Officer; Group Chief Risk Officer; 
Director of Group Finance; Group Chief 
Internal Auditor; Legal & General 
Retirement Finance Director; Group 
Actuary; Chief Tax Officer; 
Representatives of the external auditor, 
KPMG LLP.

Letter from the Chairman
Dear Shareholder
I am pleased to present the Audit Committee 
report for the year ended 31 December 2021. 
The report explains the work of the Committee 
during the year and meets the disclosure 
requirements set out in the 2018 UK Corporate 
Governance Code (the ‘Code’).

The Code requires that the Audit Committee 
must	operate	effectively	and	efficiently	and	
that its members have a balance of skills and 
experience to deliver its responsibilities.

The members of the Audit Committee have 
a wide range of experience, including as 
executives	in	the	financial	services	and	other	
sectors, as non-executive directors, and as 
board	members	responsible	for	financial	
reporting. The Board considers that I meet the 
requirements of the Code in having recent and 
relevant	financial	experience,	as	do	other	
members of the Committee. The full biographies 
of all Committee members can be found on 
pages 62 to 63. At the end of March, Julia Wilson 
retired from the Audit Committee and resigned 
from her role on the Board. I would like to take 
this opportunity to thank Julia for her 
considerable support and wise counsel during 
her time as both a member and former Chair 
of the Committee.

It is worth highlighting that all members of 
the Committee are also members of the Risk 
Committee, which ensures that there is 
appropriate	identification	and	management	of	
any issues that are relevant to both committees.

The Audit Committee meets regularly and 
privately with the external auditor and the Group 
Chief Internal Auditor. These meetings allow for 
regular and open dialogue of any issues relevant 
to the Committee’s work. Audit 

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While the global outbreak of Covid-19 has 
continued to have a profound impact on society, 
the direct impacts on the group have lessened or 
been mitigated during 2021, and this has allowed 
the Committee to adjust its activities to look at 
other areas of focus. One area associated with 
Covid-19 where the Committee has continued to 
spend a proportion of its time is in respect of the 
move to a hybrid working model. While this 
is recognised more and more as a ‘new normal’, 
and	brings	with	it	many	benefits	from	an	
individual employee and company perspective, 
it also carries a new set of risks and it is right for 
the Committee to focus on the resilience of the 
control environment in light of this changed 
operating model, including how it is monitored 
and overseen in the future.

As the implementation date of IFRS 17 draws 
closer, the Committee’s focus on the group’s 
preparedness has continued to increase. While 
the Committee has continued to monitor the 
implementation of the systems, processes and 
operating model to support the delivery of the 
new	financial	reporting	requirements,	time	has	
also been spent in reviewing and approving 
certain methodologies, policies, assumptions 
and reporting metrics, supported by a number 
of Board technical awareness sessions held 
outside of the normal Committee meetings.

Finally, the Committee has spent time during 
2021 in consideration of the scope, focus and 
quality of the various sources of assurance from 
which it is able to gain comfort. This has 
included: working with Group Internal Audit to 
incorporate timely and independent assurance 
over	specific	elements	of	the	IFRS	17	
programme; monitoring the continued 
development and embedding of the group’s 
Model	&	Financial	Control	Framework	(MFCF),	
including the receipt and review of regular 
reporting on the outcome of design and 
operating effectiveness testing; and a decision 
to require independent limited assurance over 
certain elements of the group’s climate report. 

Effectiveness reviews
The Committee’s performance was externally 
evaluated by Independent Board Evaluation (IBE)                     
in	December	2020.	The	Committee	identified	
two actions as part of its evaluation: undertaking 
a review of the Committee’s composition to 
ensure	that	it	operated	as	efficiently	and	
effectively as possible; and enhancing the 
Committee’s engagement with both Group 
Internal Audit and the external auditor. In 

response to the evaluation, which suggested 
that	the	Committee	would	benefit	from	a	smaller	
more technically focused membership, the 
composition of the Committee was revised on 1 
May 2021 and Nilufer von Bismarck was 
appointed as a member of the Committee. 
Feedback was also provided to the Internal Audit 
Function to enhance communication and 
individual	briefing	sessions	with	external	
auditors were scheduled regularly. 

In 2021 the Board undertook an internal 
evaluation, which was externally facilitated by 
IBE and included an effectiveness review of the 
Board Committees, including the Audit 
Committee.	Committee	members	were	satisfied	
with the effectiveness of the Committee and the 
progress that had been made on the 
Committee’s succession plans.

I am pleased to report that the Committee 
continues to operate effectively. Looking ahead 
to the coming year, I expect the Committee to be 
focused on an ever-broadening range of topics. 
IFRS 17 will inevitably require a deeper and more 
concentrated focus as the group begins to 
produce comparative information for the year 
ending 31 December 2022, as KPMG undertakes 
more detailed audit work on those comparatives, 
and	as	the	new	financial	reporting	operating	
model	goes	through	final	implementation	and	
testing in advance of go-live in 2023. At the 
same time, the Committee will continue to 
consider and review wider aspects of the group’s 
reporting, particularly Alternative Performance 
Measures under the new accounting standards 
and the increasing stakeholder focus on 
non-financial	metrics,	as	well	as	the	continued	
embedding of the MFCF to support and 
demonstrate	the	robustness	of	the	financial	
reporting control environment.

This will be my last report as Chairman of the 
Audit Committee. Tushar Morzaria will join the 
Board in May and will succeed me as Chairman 
of the Committee upon his appointment. Tushar 
has a wealth of recent and relevant expertise in 
financial	services	and	will	bring	a	fresh	view	to	
the work of the Committee. I will remain as a 
member of the Committee to provide continuity 
of experience.

The information on the following pages sets out 
in detail the activities of the Committee during 
the	year.	I	hope	that	you	will	find	this	report	
useful in understanding our work and I welcome 
any comments from shareholders on my report.

The Audit Committee’s terms of 
reference, which set out full details of 
its responsibilities, can be viewed on 
our website group.legalandgeneral.
com/committees

Philip Broadley
Chairman of the Audit Committee

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87

In collaboration with the Risk Committee, the 
Audit Committee also reviews the disclosures 
to be made in relation to internal control and risk 
management, as well as the principal risks and 
uncertainties the group faces.

The	Committee	can	confirm	that	the	key	
judgements	and	significant	issues	considered	
in	relation	to	the	2021	financial	statements	are	
consistent with the disclosures of key estimation 
uncertainties and critical judgements as detailed 
in Note 1 on page 139.

Robust year-end governance processes are 
in place to support the Audit Committee’s 
considerations which include:

•  ensuring that all of those involved in the 

• 

• 

preparation of the Company’s annual report 
have been appropriately trained and fully 
briefed on the ‘fair, balanced and 
understandable’ requirements.
internal	legal	verification	of	all	factual	
statements, and descriptions used within 
the narrative.
regular engagement with and feedback from 
senior management on proposed content 
and changes.
feedback from external advisors (corporate 
reporting specialists, remuneration and 
strategic reporting advisors, external auditor) 
to enhance the quality of our reporting.
•  early opportunity for review and feedback 
on our annual report by Audit Committee 
members.

• 

During the year, the Audit Committee has 
continued	to	keep	abreast	of	significant	
and emerging accounting and reporting 
developments, including consideration of 
changes in disclosures arising from best 
practice application and Financial Reporting 
Council (FRC) publications on aspects of 
UK reporting.

Audit Committee report 
continued

Percentage of time allocated 
to specific agenda items

58% Actuarial, accounting and financial 
reporting, including areas of judgement and 
reporting developments

14% External audit

10% Internal audit

8% Internal controls

10% Other (including governance)

How the Audit Committee spent its time 
in 2021
The Audit Committee is a Board Committee with 
governance responsibilities that include the 
oversight	of	financial	disclosures	and	corporate	
reporting. The Board has delegated to the Audit 
Committee the principal responsibilities to assist 
the Board in discharging its responsibilities with 
regard to monitoring the integrity of the group’s 
financial	statements,	monitoring	the	
effectiveness of the internal control (including 
financial	internal	control)	framework	and	
overseeing the independence and objectivity 
of the internal and external auditors. The Audit 
Committee is also responsible for advising the 
Board on whether the annual report and 
accounts, taken as a whole, are fair, balanced 
and understandable and for reviewing the basis 
on which the Board provides the viability 
statement and going concern assessment.

The Audit Committee has an annual work plan 
aligned	with	the	financial	reporting	cycle	of	the	
Company. The Audit Committee’s activities fall 
into three principal areas:

•	 accounting	and	financial	reporting.
• 
• 

internal and external audit.
internal control.

Accounting and financial reporting
The Audit Committee reviews the 
appropriateness of the half year and annual 
financial	statements,	which	it	carries	out	with	
both management and the external auditors. 
This review includes ensuring that the annual 
report and accounts, taken as a whole, are fair, 
balanced and understandable, as well as 
covering compliance with disclosure 
requirements and the material areas in which 
significant	judgements	have	been	applied.

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Significant	accounting	and	reporting	judgements	considered	during	2021	are	shown	below:

Issue

Committee’s response

Valuation of non-participating insurance contract 
liabilities – retirement:

The	Committee	evaluated	the	significant	judgements	that	have	an	impact	on	the	valuation	of	non-participating	
insurance liabilities for retirement products. This included considering:

The non-participating insurance liabilities for 
retirement	products	are	significant	in	size	and	
their estimation is inherently judgemental.

Valuation of complex investments:

Mark	to	model	investments	can	involve	significant	
judgement and can produce valuation challenges 
for investments in new classes.

Mark to model valuations inherently include 
assumptions that lead to the existence of a range of 
plausible	valuations	for	financial	instruments	(known	
as valuation uncertainty). Certain assets are subject 
to a higher degree of valuation uncertainty, 
particularly where valuations are modelled using no 
market inputs or the valuations are affected by other 
factors such as the illiquidity of the asset.

Valuation of non-participating insurance liabilities 
– insurance:

The non-participating insurance liabilities for 
protection contracts are an important driver of the 
profitability	for	this	line	of	business	and	require	
judgements to be made regarding the assumed rates 
of mortality and persistency. The Company makes 
extensive use of reassurance to reduce mortality risk.

Valuation	interest	rates	–	which	are	used	to	discount	the	liabilities.	These	are	sensitive	to	judgements	made,	for	
example, on credit default of the backing assets, as well as the investment data used to calculate the internal rate 
of return. The Committee focused on management’s proposed changes to reserving assumptions, other 
modelling changes, and the determination of the credit default assumption. This included analysis of internal 
historic data and external market experience.

Longevity	assumptions	–	which	estimate	how	long	policyholders	receiving	annuity	payments	will	live.	The	
challenge	around	the	setting	of	longevity	assumptions	was	a	particularly	significant	area	for	review	as	the	
judgements made could be expected to have a material impact on the group’s results. The Committee 
considered the effectiveness of the controls over the accuracy and completeness of the data used in determining 
the longevity assumption and the validity of independent industry data supporting those assumptions. The 
Committee also reviewed available data illustrating recent trends in mortality experience in the UK population 
and the mortality experience on different blocks of our business, taking account of the uncertainty in more recent 
data as a result of Covid-19.

The Committee concluded that the retirement insurance contract liabilities are appropriate for including in the 
financial	statements,	reflecting	the	asset	risks	and	the	available	data	on	policy	holder	longevity.

The	group	balance	sheet	carries	exposure	to	complex	investments	(typically	classified	as	Level	3	in	the	fair	value	
hierarchy), in line with the group’s strategy and risk appetite. The valuation of these investments, including 
property assets, lifetime mortgages, and private credit, requires the use of complex models and management 
judgement. The Committee seeks to ensure that the valuation process for these investments is robust.

While 2020 saw increased volatility within asset markets as a result of Covid-19, we have experienced a market 
recovery and greater stability during 2021, further supported by the diversity of our asset portfolio. These harder 
to value assets remain a key areas of focus, however, and the Committee has continued to review the processes 
and controls over investment valuations, and in particular the valuation uncertainty policies and governance 
which include management’s assessment of valuation uncertainty by asset type. While we do not currently see 
any material impact on the valuation of our asset portfolio arising from climate change, we expect this to be an 
increasing area of judgement (and therefore disclosure) in future years, and it will form a key area of focus in the 
Committee’s review of this area.

The Committee concluded that there are appropriate controls surrounding the valuation of complex assets and 
that	they	are	valued	appropriately	for	inclusion	in	the	financial	statements.

The Committee has reviewed the methodology for calculating reserves including the allowance made for 
payments to and from reassurance counterparties. The assumptions for the rate of future mortality and 
morbidity (how many customers will die or become ill during the policy term) and persistency (how many 
customers will discontinue cover) are based on the Company’s internal experience and use judgement about 
how experience may vary in the future. During 2021, the Committee has continued to spend time reviewing the 
findings	and	judgements	in	respect	of	the	mortality	experience	of	our	UK	and	US	books	as	a	result	of	Covid-19.

During 2021 the Committee reviewed the rationale and assumptions used to support the change in valuation 
interest	rate	methodology	for	UK	protection	liabilities	to	incorporate	an	illiquidity	premium	as	a	reflection	of	
available	assets	to	back	later	duration	cash	flows	yielding	more	than	the	risk-free	rate.

The Committee reviewed the assumptions and the expected level of prudence taking into account market 
benchmarking, internal experience studies and the reassurance structures. The Committee considered the 
effectiveness of controls in place over valuation models.

The Committee concluded that the insurance liabilities of the Insurance division are appropriate for inclusion 
in	the	financial	statements.

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Audit Committee report 
continued

Issue

Committee’s response

Alternative Performance Measures (APMs):

APMs offer investors and stakeholders additional 
information on the Company’s performance and the 
financial	effect	of	‘one-off’	events,	and	the	group	uses	
a range of these metrics to enhance understanding 
of the group’s performance. 

IFRS 17:

IFRS 17 is a new accounting standard for insurance 
contracts due to take effect on 1 January 2023. IFRS 
17	is	expected	to	have	a	significant	impact	on	the	
reporting	of	the	group’s	financial	performance.

As part of its consideration of whether the annual report is fair, balanced and understandable, the Committee has 
paid particular attention to the use of APMs in reporting the group’s performance. In this regard the Committee 
has reviewed the group’s use of APMs in light of the FRC’s thematic review in October 2021.

The	Committee	has	reviewed	the	application	of	adjusted	operating	profit,	and	specifically	the	inclusion	of	certain	
items	either	as	part	of	adjusted	operating	profit	or	investment	variances,	to	ensure	that	they	are	aligned	to	both	
the group’s disclosed policies on these APMs, and the underlying principles of fair and consistent reporting. 
Where appropriate the Committee has reviewed additional disclosures provided to enhance transparency in 
respect of the group’s APMs.

The Committee concluded that the use and disclosure of APMs, including the clarity of labelling the prominence 
of APMs versus statutory measures, are appropriate for inclusion in the annual report.

As well as continuing to monitor the preparedness of the group to implement IFRS 17, the Committee has 
reviewed a number of papers during 2021, covering various areas of policy, methodology and assumptions, 
such as the application of the General Measurement Model. 

In particular, the Committee has reviewed the methodology and assumptions to support the transition to IFRS 17, 
including the decision to apply the fair value approach to calculate the contractual service margin on transition for 
annuities issued prior to 2016. 

The Committee has further reviewed certain demographic assumptions which will be applied as part of the 
transition, as well as broader additions to the group’s Accounting Policy Manual in respect of IFRS 17.

The Committee concluded that the disclosures in respect of IFRS 17 included in Note 1 Basis of Preparation are 
appropriate for inclusion in the annual report.

The Audit Committee, having completed its 
review, recommended to the Board that, when 
taken as a whole, the 2021 annual report is fair, 
balanced and understandable, and provides the 
information necessary for shareholders to 
assess the company’s position and 
performance, business model and strategy and 
the business risks that it faces. The Audit 
Committee, together with the Risk Committee, 
reviewed the key assumptions and 
methodologies of the risk-based capital model 
as well as related Solvency II disclosures. The 
statement is underpinned by the Committee’s 
belief that all important information has been 
disclosed and that the descriptions and reviews 
of the group’s business and performance as set 
out in the Strategic Report are consistent with 
the	financial	reporting	in	the	group’s	financial	
statements.

Internal control
The Board has delegated responsibility for 
reviewing the effectiveness of the group’s 
systems of internal control to the Audit 
Committee.

The Audit Committee has the primary 
responsibility for the oversight of the group’s 
system of internal controls including controls 
over	financial	reporting	and	the	work	of	the	

internal audit function. The Audit Committee, 
in collaboration with the Risk Committee, seeks 
to ensure that the group operates within a 
framework of prudent and effective controls that 
allow	risk	to	be	identified,	assessed	and	managed.

The Audit Committee has completed its review 
of the effectiveness of the group’s system of 
internal control policies and procedures, during 
the year and up to the date this report was 
approved, in accordance with the requirements 
of the Guidance on Risk Management, Internal 
Control and related Financial and Business 
Reporting published by the FRC. During this 
review, the Audit Committee did not identify any 
weaknesses which were determined to be 
significant	to	the	preparation	of	the	financial	
statements. Where areas for improvement were 
identified,	processes	are	in	place	to	ensure	that	
the necessary actions are taken and progress is 
monitored by the Audit Committee.

Internal Audit
The Audit Committee monitored and reviewed 
the scope, extent and effectiveness of the 
activity of the Group Internal Audit function.
In particular, the Audit Committee evaluates the 
alignment of the internal audit plan with the 
group’s key risks and strategy.

The Group Chief Internal Auditor has a standing 
agenda item at each Audit Committee meeting 
to update the Audit Committee on audit 
activities, progress of the audit plans, the results 
of any unsatisfactory audits and the action plans 
to address these areas. The group has adapted 
quickly to the adoption of a hybrid working 
model, and Internal Audit were able to undertake 
all the audits within their Internal Audit Plan, 
including some additional reviews to test the 
continued effectiveness of the overall control 
environment as remote working continued 
during the year, as approved by the Committee, 
completing 115 audits in 2021. There was a 
particular focus on key themes including: the 
effectiveness of the control framework in a 
remote working environment; cyber/data 
management	and	governance;	financial	control	
framework; digital business and regulatory 
change;	conduct	risk;	financial	management	
and control; model and end user computer risk; 
outsourcing/vendor management and 
economic and political volatility.

The Audit Committee meets with the Group 
Chief Internal Auditor in private throughout 
the year. The Committee, in line with the 
Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors Financial 
Services Code of Practice, conducted an 
assessment	of,	and	were	able	to	confirm,	the	
independence of the Group Chief Internal Auditor.

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Remuneration
In 2021, the group spent £1.3 million on 
non-audit services provided by KPMG. It spent 
£1.3 million on audit-related services required 
by legislation, which is excluded from any 
calculation of the ratio of non-audit to audit fees 
in accordance with the UK FRC Revised Ethical 
Standard for Auditors (2019). Further details can 
be	found	in	Note	31	to	the	consolidated	financial	
statements. The non-audit fee represents 11% of 
the total audit fee for 2021. 

Analysis of current and prior-year spend 
on audit, other assurance and non-
assurance services

2021

2020

2019

Audit 

9.3

10.1

Audit-related required 
by legislation

Other audit-related

Other assurance

Non-assurance

1.3

1.2

0.1

–

1.4

0.6

0.6

–

Total

11.9

12.7

7.1

0.8

1.1

0.3

0.2

9.5

The external auditor
The Audit Committee has the primary responsibility 
for overseeing the relationship with, and 
performance of, the external auditor. This includes 
making recommendations for their appointment, 
re-appointment, removal and remuneration.

Appointment
The Audit Committee is cognisant of the 
requirements governing the appointment of an 
external auditor, notably the requirements of the 
Statutory Audit Services for Large Companies 
Market Investigation (Mandatory Uses of 
Competitive Tender Process and Audit 
Committee Responsibilities) Order 2014, 
including	requirements	for	mandatory	audit	firm	
rotation.	The	Company	confirms	that	it	has	
complied with such requirements for the 
financial	year	under	review.

Following a competitive tender carried out in 
2016, KPMG was appointed as the group’s 
external	auditors	with	effect	from	the	financial	
year ended 31 December 2018. In May 2021, 
KPMG was reappointed as the group’s external 
auditor	for	the	financial	year	ended	31	December	
2021, which is their fourth year as the group’s 
external auditor. Rees Aronson, who has been 
the lead audit partner for KPMG since appointment, 
continued in that role for the year ended 
31 December 2021. Mr Aronson will retire from 
KPMG during the course of 2022. The Committee 
accepted KPMG’s proposal that Salim Tharani 
succeeds Mr Aronson as lead audit partner for 
2022. Mr Tharani has been involved as a partner 
on the audit for the past four years.

Performance
The Audit Committee assesses the effectiveness 
of the external auditor against the following criteria:

•  provision of timely and accurate industry- 

specific	and	technical	knowledge.

•  maintaining a professional and open dialogue 

with the Audit Committee Chair and 
members at all times.

•  delivery	of	an	efficient	and	effective	audit	and	

• 

the ability to meet objectives within the 
agreed timeframes.
the quality of its judgements and audit 
findings,	management’s	response	and	
stakeholder feedback.

including work on key judgement areas, 
accounting policies, actuarial assumptions and 
the impact of the transition to IFRS 17 on audit 
approach and planning. 

The Audit Committee meets the external auditor 
in private throughout the year. 

As in the prior year, as a result of Covid-19 much 
of KPMG’s audit work has been undertaken 
remotely. The Audit Committee has sought to 
understand whether this has impacted KPMG’s 
audit plan or their ability to undertake their work 
effectively. KPMG’s regular reporting throughout 
the	year	has	demonstrated	no	significant	or	
adverse impact from remote working, and the 
Committee is comfortable that there has been 
no undue impact on their effectiveness.

The Audit Committee reviews and approves 
the terms of engagement of the external auditor 
and monitors its independence. This includes 
maintaining the policy for overseeing the 
engagement of the external auditor for 
pre-approved audit services, audit-related 
services and other non-audit work. The 
non-audit services policy includes a ‘whitelist’ 
of permitted audit and audit-related services 
along with a list of prohibited services. The 
policy, the purpose of which is to ensure that 
the independence of the external auditor is not 
impaired, is approved by the Audit Committee 
and meets the requirements of the FRC Ethical 
Standard. 

Our	practice	is	to	approach	other	firms	for	
significant	non-audit	work.	The	group’s	policy	
requires that all services with an anticipated cost 
in	excess	of	a	specified	amount	are	subject	to	
a full competitive tender involving at least one 
other alternate party in addition to the external 
auditor. If the external auditor is selected 
following the tender process, the Audit 
Committee is responsible for approving the 
external auditors’ fees on the engagement.

For services with an anticipated cost below the 
specified	amount,	the	Group	Chief	Financial	
Officer	has	authority	to	approve	the	engagement.	
The external auditor and management are 
required to report regularly to the Audit Committee 
on the nature and fees relating to non-audit 
services provided under this authority.

The Audit Committee receives regular reports 
from	the	external	auditor	on	audit	findings,	
significant	accounting	and	actuarial	issues,	and	
internal control matters. During 2021, there has 
been an increase in reporting relating to IFRS 17, 

KPMG annually reports on whether and why 
it deems itself to be independent. The Audit 
Committee	remains	satisfied	that	KPMG	
continues to be independent.

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Group Risk Committee report

assessment	of	the	overall	profile	of	conduct	
risks for the group; analysis and trends 
in complaints data and a suite of customer 
service metrics designed to enable the 
Committee to assess the management of the 
customer	journey	across	the	group’s	financial	
services products.

Assessing the risk impacts of Covid-19
The Committee has continued to engage with 
executive and operational management during 
the pandemic to consider the responses being 
taken to the range of risks presented by Covid-19, 
and the wider impacts for our businesses from 
the global lockdown. 

As well as ensuring the wellbeing of those 
at	Legal	&	General,	the	Committee	has	
considered the actions taken to maintain the 
availability of customer facing services, and 
the resilience of supporting business activities.

The Committee has also considered 
assessments on the effects of the lockdown 
for the global economy and our investment 
portfolios, including the outlook for credit assets. 
Reviews of credit exposure have included sectors 
at risk from the global economic downturn and 
the longer-term impacts from changes in 
behaviours as a result of the pandemic. Trends 
in mortality for the group’s UK and US protection 
businesses, and offsetting effects with the group’s 
annuity portfolios have also been evaluated.

Focused business and risk reviews
Focused ‘deep dive’ reviews of particular risk 
areas are undertaken at each Committee 
meeting. The purpose of these reviews is to 
enable Committee members to examine the risk 
profile	of	the	core	business	lines	and	to	consider	
the robustness of the frameworks in place 
to manage the key risk exposures. Committee 
members are invited to participate in setting the 
agenda for these deep dive reviews, considering 
both the current operating environment and 
emerging risk factors. Below are examples 
of some of the key reviews that took place during 
2021, and the areas of focus by the Committee.

•  Operational risk management within LGIM: 

consideration of the operational risks implicit 
in LGIM’s core institutional investment 
management business, the appetite for those 
risks and the control processes deployed 
by management.

•  Outsourcing and supply chain risks: review 
of the group’s framework for oversight of 
third-party supply and service arrangements, 
and the group’s approach to ensuring 
compliance with new regulatory standards 
to be implemented in 2022.

•  Financial crime risks: assessment of the 

evolving	types	of	financial	crime	risk	to	which	
the group may be exposed, and the evolution 
of the group’s risk management framework 
in response.

Toby Strauss
Chairman of the Group 
Risk Committee

The composition of the Committee
The Committee is composed entirely 
of independent non-executive 
directors. The table below sets out 
its membership during the year.

Members

Toby Strauss (Chairman)

Henrietta Baldock

Nilufer von Bismarck (from July 2021)

Philip Broadley

Lesley Knox

George Lewis

Ric Lewis

Julia Wilson (retired March 2021)

Other attendees at Committee 
meetings include the following: 

Group Chairman; Group Chief 
Executive; Group Chief Financial 
Officer; Group Chief Risk Officer; Group 
Chief Internal Auditor; Representatives 
of the external auditor, KPMG LLP.

The role of the Committee is to assist the Board 
in the oversight of the risks to which the group 
may be exposed and to provide the Board with 
strategic advice in relation to current and 
potential future risk exposures. This includes 
reviewing	the	group’s	risk	profile	and	appetite	
for risk and assessing the effectiveness of the 
group’s risk management framework. The 
group’s approach to the management of risk 
is set out in more detail on pages 52 to 59.

The work of the Committee is supported by 
the	Group	Chief	Risk	Officer	and	the	Company	
Secretary, who assist the Committee chair 
in planning the Committee’s work and ensuring 
that the Committee receives accurate and timely 
information.	The	Committee	met	five	times	
during 2021.

Group Chief Risk Officer’s report
The Committee receives at each meeting a 
formal	report	from	the	Group	Chief	Risk	Officer.	
This report brings to the Committee’s attention 
key factors in the operating environment of the 
group’s businesses and an assessment of the 
potential risks that may emerge. The review 
includes analysis of risks arising from the 
macro-economic outlook and conditions in 
financial	markets,	together	with	geopolitical,	
legislative and regulatory change risks that 
may impact the group’s businesses, and risks 
associated with the implementation of the 
group’s business strategy.

Alongside	the	Group	Chief	Risk	Officer’s	report	
the Committee is provided with management 
information on risk appetite, comparing actual 
positions relative to the group’s risk appetite 
statement and quantitative analysis of the 
group’s	exposures	to	financial	and	operational	
risks, including risk-based capital requirements 
in relation to the core risks implicit in the group’s 
businesses. The Committee also receives an 

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•  LGC risk appetite: the approach, 

measurement and metrics used to assess 
risk within the different asset classes in which 
LGC invests and the approach to ongoing 
monitoring of investment risks. 

•  Construction and building safety risks: 

a review of the group’s approach to managing 
safety risks within property construction and 
house building businesses and the group’s 
response to ensuring compliance with 
regulatory developments.

•  Reinsurance risk management: a review of 
the group’s approach to setting reinsurance 
exposure limits and broader reinsurance 
strategies for the group’s PRT and protection 
businesses.

•  Operational resilience: a review of the group’s 
capabilities to ensure continuity of business 
operations and the availability of important 
business services.

•  Risk	profile	of	Workplace	Savings:	a	review	
of the end-to-end customer journey within 
the Workplace Savings business, the key 
risks, and the controls to ensure good 
customer outcomes. 

•  Liquidity risk management: the group’s 

approach to managing the different liquidity 
risks to which we may be exposed, and the 
forecasting, monitoring and reporting on 
related liquidity requirements. 

•  Property risk: a review of the different types 
of property investment-related assets held 
by	Legal	&	General	and	the	return	and	risk	
characteristics of those assets.

•  People risk: review of the dynamics of 

people-related risks, including emerging 
risk factors from new ways of working 
and the long-term trends in the UK 
employment market. 

•  Transition from IBOR: monitoring the group’s 
preparations for the transition to SONIA 
in 2022.

The Committee also takes an active role in the 
group’s recovery and resolution planning, which 
have been put in place in line with the UK 
regulatory requirements relating to systemically 
important insurers.

Risk appetite
At its July meeting, the Committee undertook 
a detailed review of the operation of the group’s 
risk appetite framework and the key measures 
and tolerances used to determine acceptable 
risk	taking,	recommending	some	refinements	
to the Board, including the addition of measures 
for climate-related risk exposures. In December, 
the	Committee	considered	the	risk	profile	of	the	
group’s strategic plan and its alignment with 
the group’s overall risk appetite.

Risk-based capital model
The group’s risk-based capital model (internal 
model) is used to determine the capital 
requirements for the group and forms the 
calculation engine for the Solvency II internal 
model. As well as reviewing and using the output 
of the model in its understanding of the group’s 
risk	profile,	the	Committee	is	the	focal	point	for	
model	governance	with	specific	consideration	
of the:

•  key assumptions, methodologies and areas 
of expert judgement used within the model.
•  activities undertaken to validate the outputs 

of the model.

•  development of the model to ensure that 

it	reflects	the	business	lines	and	risk	profile	
of the group.

•  processes to ensure that changes applied 
in the model are undertaken in a controlled 
manner, and in line with model development 
plans.

Own Risk and Solvency Assessment 
(ORSA)
The ORSA is an ongoing assessment of the risks 
to	which	Legal	&	General	is	exposed	and	an	
evaluation	of	the	sufficiency	of	capital	resources	
to sustain the business strategy over the plan 
horizon. Over the course of the year, the Committee 
considered different aspects of the group’s ORSA 
process. This included the review of proposed 
stress tests and scenarios to be used in the 
evaluation	of	capital	adequacy,	the	profile	of	
risks within the group’s strategic plan and how 
they may change over the planning period, and 
the group’s overall capacity to bear the risks 
identified.	A	formal	ORSA	report	is	subject	to	
annual review by the Committee prior to formal 
approval by the Group Board.

Risk governance
Sound frameworks of risk management and 
internal control are essential in the management 
of risks. During the year, the Committee has 
received updates on the continued development 
of the risk governance framework.

Risk-based remuneration
The Committee advises the Remuneration 
Committee on risk matters to be considered 
in reviewing bonus pools. 

This will be my last report as Chairman of the 
Risk Committee. I will be standing down from 
the Board at the end of April 2022 and Sir John 
Kingman will succeed me on a temporary basis 
as interim Chairman of the Committee.

Toby Strauss
Chairman of the Group Risk Committee

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Directors’ 
report on 
remuneration

Lesley Knox
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

Our remuneration report is organised 
into the following sections

Letter from the Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee

Quick	read	summary

Remuneration policy (summary)

Annual report on remuneration

94

96

100

102

The directors’ remuneration policy was subject 
to a binding vote in 2020, and applies for three 
years from the 2020 AGM. The annual report 
on remuneration together with the Chairman’s 
Statement will be subject to an advisory 
shareholder vote at the 2022 AGM. 

Remuneration Committee members
The composition of the Committee
The Committee is composed entirely of independent 
non-executive directors. The table below sets out its 
membership during the year.

Members

Lesley Knox (Chairman)

Henrietta Baldock

Philip Broadley

George Lewis (from 7 October 2021)

Ric Lewis

Other regular attendees at the meeting include 
the following: 

Group Chairman; Group Chief Executive Officer; 
Director of Group Finance; Group HR Director; Group 
Reward Director; Head of Executive Compensation; 
Representative of the independent adviser, PwC.

Letter from the Chairman
Dear Shareholder
In this Remuneration Committee’s report 
for 2021, I am pleased to describe our 
considerations and decisions, and the 
remuneration outcomes in respect of the year. 
The Committee is mindful of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code’s six principles in relation to 
remuneration (clarity, simplicity, risk, predictability, 
proportionality and alignment to culture) when it 
considers remuneration. The Committee’s view 
is	that	the	remuneration	framework	at	L&G	is	
aligned with these areas and it will ensure that 
the new remuneration policy tabled in 2023 
continues to be so aligned.

Link between pay and performance
Against a challenging global backdrop, 
Legal	&	General’s	resilience	and	sound	
business model has enabled the company to 
return	to	growth	with	post	tax	profits	exceeding	
£2	billion	for	the	first	time,	earnings	per	share	
(EPS) up 19% on 2019 and ROE of 20.5%.

Annual Variable Pay (AVP)
For executive directors, 70% of the bonus 
opportunity	is	determined	by	group	financial	
performance, measured against pre-determined 
targets. The outcome for all of the group 
financial	KPIs	in	2020	was	below	threshold,	due	
to Covid-19 disruption, and this resulted in no 
bonus payments for executive directors in 2020 
based	on	group	financial	performance.

2021 targets were set based off the group 
business plan and also recognised that there 
remained considerable uncertainty regarding 
the impact of Covid-19. As the year progressed, 
it became clearer that the impact on 2021 would 
be less than 2020 and accordingly the Committee 
debated whether to revise the targets mid-year, 

but decided to review the outcome at the end of 
the full year. The outcome for 2021, was a 12% 
increase in net release from operations, an 11% 
increase	in	adjusted	operating	profit,	and	a	72%	
increase in earnings per share (with the 2020 
EPS comparator excluding the one-off mortality 
reserve release of £153 million and the 
£271 million gain on the Mature Savings 
disposal in 2020 with no equivalent in 2021). 
This performance was then considered in the 
light of the levels to which targets might have 
been revised in mid-2021 and also the performance 
in 2020 and 2019. The Committee considered 
the outcome of maximum bonuses for the 
financial	performance	achieved	was	appropriate.	
The targets are shown in this report on page 104.

Strategic objectives determine the other 30% of 
bonus opportunity, including customer, culture 
and environment, social and governance (ESG) 
metrics, as described in more detail on page 105 
and in our 2021 climate report. The environmental 
performance measures for 2021 are aligned to 
the key commitments in our 2020 Task Force on 
Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) 
report, and progress against these environmental 
commitments will continue to be a feature of the 
bonus plan.

As noted above and consistent with previous 
years, the Committee chose to exclude the 
beneficial	impact	of	mortality	assumption	
changes	from	the	financial	results	when	
determining bonus awards. Even excluding 
these	items,	2021	performance	significantly	
exceeded that for 2020 and 2019, resulting in 
bonus outcomes of 94.5% and 92.2% of 
maximum for the executive directors. Targets 
and	outcomes	are	summarised	in	the	‘Quick	
read’ section on page 99 and in further detail 
on page 104.

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Governance

Financial statements

Other information

As the group’s designated workforce director, 
I have had the opportunity to meet with a 
broad range of employees during the year, 
in-person and remotely, to ensure their views 
are appropriately represented in the Boardroom, 
including when considering Remuneration 
Committee matters. My report on page 74 
provides details of some of those activities, 
including our continuing work on employee 
engagement, diversity and inclusion, and 
achieving a further narrowing of the gender 
pay gap.

2022 and beyond
At the AGM in 2023, we shall submit a new 
directors’ remuneration policy for approval by 
shareholders, being the maximum three years 
since our current remuneration policy was 
approved in 2020. During 2022, the Committee 
will closely examine our remuneration principles 
and policies to ensure that they remain 
appropriate to support future business strategy 
and	reflect	evolving	best	practice.	I	look	forward	
to engaging with shareholders and representative 
bodies to seek input to this process and reporting 
back to you with our proposals next year.

Again this year, to improve the transparency 
and clarity of our remuneration report, we have 
included	a	‘Quick	read’	section	summarising	
our current remuneration policy and its 
implementation in 2021, showing graphically 
the outcomes against the various performance 
targets and the remuneration received by 
executive directors. Full details continue to be 
disclosed on pages 102 to 117 in accordance 
with the remuneration reporting regulations.

I	hope	that	you	will	find	this	report	a	clear	
account of the Committee’s considerations 
and decisions, and the remuneration outcomes 
for the year.

Lesley Knox
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

Performance Share Plan (PSP)
The long-term incentive (PSP) awards granted 
in 2019 were subject to EPS growth and total 
shareholder return (TSR) out-performance over 
the three-year period ended 31 December 2021. 
EPS grew by 41.9% over the period (12.4% per 
annum), and TSR grew by 46.3%, out-performing 
the median of the FTSE-100 and also the bespoke 
comparator group. This resulted in 82.9% of the 
2019 PSP award vesting with the remaining 
17.1% forfeited.

In accordance with the remuneration policy, the 
Committee assessed the formulaic outcome, 
considering overall performance, risk management, 
progress against our environmental commitments, 
and other capital and solvency measures, and 
determined that the outcome was appropriate 
in all the circumstances, and no downward 
adjustment was required. Under the terms of 
the PSP plan for executive directors, the vested 
shares will be deferred for a further two years 
and released in 2024. The PSP performance 
targets and outcomes are summarised in the 
‘Quick	read’	section	on	page	99.

PSP awards are normally granted each year, 
subject to performance. As reported last year, 
the awards granted in 2020 are subject to an 
additional provision enabling the Committee to 
reduce the number of shares at vesting and/or 
impose further conditions to neutralise any 
‘windfall gain’ that might arise as a result of a 
rebound in the share price after grant. The 2020 
awards were granted at an average share price 
of £229.26p and are scheduled to vest in 2023. 
The Committee will determine at that time whether 
any “windfall” adjustment should be made.

International Financial Reporting Standard 17 
(IFRS	17),	relating	to	profitability	recognition	
for insurance contracts, will replace the current 
reporting standard (IFRS 4) with effect from 
1	January	2023.	For	the	2022	year,	key	financial	
results will be disclosed under IFRS 4 and 
subsequently under IFRS 17 in 2023. This will be 
the only accounting period where the results 
under both IFRS 4 and IFRS 17 will be presented.

The current PSP performance metrics use EPS 
growth over a three-year period to determine 
50% of the PSP award. The change in accounting 
reporting standard during a performance period 
prevents EPS from being measured on the same 
basis from the start to the end of that period. 
The Committee has considered this issue, to 
determine the fairest way to measure EPS 
growth for performance periods spanning the 
change in accounting reporting standard. This 
issue will be considered in more detail during 
2022, and the methodology adopted will be 
disclosed in the Remuneration Committee’s 
report for 2023. 

Base pay
As reported in our annual report last year, base 
pay increases for executive directors were 
paused in 2021 due to the economic uncertainty 
caused by Covid-19. With that uncertainty now 
diminishing, the Committee considered the 
broader market and overall business performance, 
and reviewed pay and conditions across the 
group to determine any base pay increase for 
executive directors in 2022. The average base 
pay increase for UK employees was 2.2% in 
2021 and will be 5.2% in 2022, and within the 
context of the total increase received by other 
employees in 2021 and 2022, the Committee 
has determined to increase base pay for Nigel 
Wilson (Group Chief Executive) by 5.0% and Jeff 
Davies	(Group	Chief	Financial	Officer)	by	7.1%	
with effect from 1 March 2022.

As previously indicated, pension contributions 
for executive directors will reduce to 10% of base 
pay in December 2022, to align with that 
available to the majority of the UK workforce.

Consideration of the wider workforce
The Committee has regard for the remuneration 
of all employees across the group, and perform 
this responsibility in the knowledge that 
Legal	&	General	are	an	accredited	Living	Wage	
employer	certified	by	the	Living	Wage	Foundation.	
The policies and practices applying to executive 
directors are the same as for the wider workforce 
in most instances, although quantum and 
participation by location and grade may vary. 
During both 2020 and 2021, it remained important 
to protect employees against the effects of 
Covid-19, with work-from-home and protected 
office	facilities	made	available.	All	UK	employees	
have access to private medical insurance and a 
24/7/365 employee assistance helpline.

Wellbeing support is also available to employees 
and their family members, including childcare 
and eldercare support, healthcare apps, and 
preferential	borrow/save/advance	finance	
facilities through our partner organisation, 
Salary Finance. UK employees also have the 
opportunity to invest their own money and 
become	shareholders	in	Legal	&	General	
through the Employee Share Purchase and 
ShareSave plans. More than two-thirds of 
employees now participate in these plans.

The average annual base pay increase for UK 
employees was around 5.2% in 2022, in 
recognition of the labour market and rising costs 
for many employees. Most employees are 
eligible to be considered for a bonus payment 
based on group, divisional, individual and/or 
other	specific	performance	metrics,	with	
bonuses for 2021 paid shortly after the year end, 
at the same time as bonuses are paid to 
executive directors.

Directors’ report on remuneration

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95

Quick read summary

Remuneration policy summary and 2021 implementation

Remuneration element 
and time horizon

Policy summary

Base pay

Operation
Reviewed annually, with any increases effective 1 March.

2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

Opportunity
No maximum, but any increases will normally be in line with the 
range	for	other	UK	employees.	In	specific	circumstances,	the	
Committee may award increases above this level.

Performance
Personal performance will be taken into consideration in determining 
any increase.

Pension 
contributions

Operation
Defined	contribution	pension	plan	or	a	cash	allowance	in	lieu.	
Base pay is the only element of pensionable remuneration.

2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

Opportunity
For executive directors, appointed since 2019, pension contributions 
are aligned to that available to the majority of the workforce 
(currently 10% of base pay). Pension contributions for executive 
directors appointed before 2019 are currently aligned with the 
contributions for other senior managers in the UK, but will be 
aligned with the majority of the UK workforce by 2022.

Performance
No performance conditions.

2021 implementation

Effective  
1 March 
2021

Effective  
1 March 2022

%  
increase

Sir Nigel Wilson £979,500

£1,028,500

Jeff Davies 

£590,000

£632,000

Employees below the Board (average)

5.0%

7.1%

5.2%

Pension contributions during 2021 (as % of base pay):

Sir Nigel Wilson*

Jeff Davies* 

Majority of UK workforce

Other senior managers in the UK

15%

13.2%

10%

15%

* 

 From 2022 pension contributions will be 10% of base pay 
in  line with the majority of the UK workforce.

Benefits

2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

Operation
In	line	with	benefits	provided	to	other	employees	and	senior	
managers in the UK.

Opportunity
Maximum	amount	is	the	cost	of	providing	benefits,	subject	
to	the	limits	of	the	benefits	plans	and	HMRC	rules.

Performance
No performance conditions.

Benefits during 2021 included:

•  Allowance in lieu of a company car.
•  Private medical insurance.
•  Life insurance.
•  Income protection.
•  All-employee (ShareSave and Share 

Purchase) plans.

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Other information

Remuneration policy summary and 2021 implementation

Remuneration element 
and time horizon

Policy summary

Annual variable pay 
(AVP)

50% cash

50% deferred for 3 years

2021

2022 2023 2024 2025

Operation
Performance assessed over a one-year period, with targets and 
weightings set annually. Awards are determined after the year end, 
taking into consideration performance against targets, individual 
performance and overall business performance. 50% of any AVP 
award is paid in cash, and 50% is deferred into shares for a further 
three years. Malus and clawback provisions apply.

Opportunity
Up to 150% of base pay for the Group Chief Executive and Chief 
Financial	Officer.	No	bonus	is	payable	for	threshold	performance	
or below, with up to 50% of maximum for target performance.

Performance
Financial performance (at least 70% weighting), plus strategic 
and personal performance, including ESG measures.

Performance Share 
Plan (PSP)

Performance

Deferred

2021

2022 2023 2024 2025

Operation
Conditional award of shares, subject to a performance period of no 
less than three years and a holding period such that no awards are 
released	before	five	years	from	grant.	Performance	targets	are	set	
annually by the Committee, aligned with the delivery of shareholder 
returns over the longer term. The Committee may amend the vesting 
downwards (but not increase the level of vesting) depending on the 
overall performance of the group. PSP awards are subject to malus 
and clawback.

Opportunity
The maximum award opportunity is 300% of base pay (although the 
normal award opportunity is 250% of base pay). 15% of the award 
vests for threshold performance, increasing to 100% of the award 
vesting for achievement of maximum performance.

Performance
An appropriate mix (normally an equal weighting) of earnings 
performance and shareholder return.

2021 implementation

70% Financial performance

30% Strategic and personal performance

Bonus for 2021
(as % of base pay):

Sir Nigel Wilson

Jeff Davies 

At 
target

At
 max.

75% 150%

75% 150%

Actual 2021
(as % 
of max.)

94.5%

92.2%

50% EPS

25% TSR (vs FTSE 100)

25% TSR (vs comparator group)

PSP grants in 2021
(as % of base pay):

Sir Nigel Wilson

Jeff Davies 

Maximum

300%

300%

Vesting 
period end 
2021
(% of grant)

82.9%

82.9%

2021 
grant

250%

250%

Quick	read	summary

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Quick read summary 
continued

Shareholding requirements

Executive directors’ 
share ownership

Executive directors are expected to retain any after tax vested shares 
until their shareholding requirements are met, and maintain that 
shareholding requirement (or actual shareholding if lower) for at 
least two years after leaving employment.

Share ownership at 31 December 2021

325%

Employment + 2 years

The shareholding requirement is 325% of base pay for all 
executive directors.

Sir Nigel Wilson

Target met

1,111%

CEO pay ratio

Total remuneration
The	chart	opposite	shows	the	ratio	between	the	CEO	single	figure	total	
remuneration (as disclosed on page 113) in comparison with the total 
remuneration of UK employees at lower, median, and upper quartiles.

For	2021,	the	CEO	pay	ratio	has	increased,	reflecting	the	higher	bonus	
and higher level of vesting of PSP awards in respect of 2021 compared 
to 2020.

Jeff Davies

125%

167

105

61

137

132

89

52

83

49

129

86

50

81

48

26

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Lower quartile 
UK employee

Median 
UK employee

Upper quartile 
UK employee

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Other information

Alignment with strategy and 2021 performance outcomes

The performance measures for the incentive plans are directly aligned to the group’s key performance indicators (KPIs). The Group Board reviews the 
KPIs annually and adds to or changes them where appropriate. KPIs are explained in more detail on pages 26 to 27 and further details of performance 
measures and outcomes are provided on pages 104 to 107.

Overarching drivers  
of the business

Group KPIs

Incentive plans 
(weightings)

2021 performance targets and outcomes

Profitability

Net release from  
operations (NRO)

Adjusted	operating	profit

Earnings per share (EPS)  
1 year growth

Return on Equity (ROE)

Earnings per share (EPS)  
3 year average annual growth

Shareholder  
value creation

TSR vs FTSE 100 
(rank out of 94)

TSR vs comparator group 
(rank out of 24)

Strategic priorities

(see page 105):

AVP

20%

25%

12.5%

12.5%

PSP

Threshold

Target

Maximum

Actual

£1,688m

£2,262m

34.2p

20.5%

12.4%

£1,374m

£1,477m

£1,529m

£1,893m

£2,018m

£2,081m

22.4p

26.1p

14.5%

15.8%

50%

25%

5.0%

46.5

Median

25%

12.5

Median

36.6

29.7p

17.0%

12.0%

19.0

Top 20th

6.2

5.0

Top 20th

30%

100%

100%

Total remuneration received (£’000)

The charts below provide a breakdown of the total remuneration received by the Executive Directors and their maximum total remuneration opportunity.

Sir Nigel Wilson

Actual remuneration

2020 

2021 

1,144

346

602 2,092

1,151

1,388

1,981 4,520

Maximum remuneration

2021 

1,151

1,469

2,389 5,009

Jeff Davies

Actual remuneration

2020 

2021 

684 213

331 1,228

691

816

1,162 2,669

Maximum remuneration

2021 

691

885

1,402

2,978

Key

Fixed (base pay, benefits and pension contributions)

Annual Variable Pay (AVP)

Performance Share Plan (PSP)

The	values	for	the	2018	PSP,	which	vested	in	2020,	in	the	charts	above	have	been	adjusted	to	reflect	the	share	price	at	vesting	on	11	March	2021,	which	
was not known at the publication date of the 2020 report. Further details can be found on page 102.

Quick	read	summary

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99

Remuneration policy (summary)

The directors’ remuneration policy was approved by shareholders by way of a binding 
vote at the 2020 AGM on 21 May 2020 and applies for three years from the 2020 AGM. 
The policy table, which contains key aspects of the approved policy, is set out below. 
A copy of the full remuneration policy, including accompanying disclosure, can be 
found in the 2019 annual report, and on the company’s website. 

Fixed pay

Base pay

Pension contributions

Benefits

Annual Variable Pay (AVP)

Performance Share Plan (PSP)

Non-executive directors’ fees

Shareholding requirements

Purpose and 
link to 
strategy

Provides	a	fixed	level	of	
earnings, appropriate to the 
market and requirements of 
the role.

Provides a basis for savings 
to provide an income in 
retirement.

Operation

Reviewed annually with effect 
from 1 March, taking into 
account:
•  the individual’s skills, 

experience and 
performance;
•  scope of the role;
•  external market data, 

including other FTSE 100 
companies and other 
financial	and	non-financial	
institutions;

•  pay and conditions 

elsewhere in the group

•  overall business 
performance.

There is no obligation to 
increase base pay upon any 
such review, and any decision 
to increase base pay will take 
into account the associated 
impact on overall quantum. 

In line with other employees 
in the UK, executive 
directors may:
•  Participate	in	a	defined	

contribution pension plan; 
or

•  Receive a cash allowance 

in lieu; or

•  Receive some 

combination thereof.

Non-UK national executives 
may be permitted to 
participate in home-country 
pension plans where 
relevant.

Base pay is the only element 
of pensionable 
remuneration.

Opportunity

Performance

There is no set maximum 
base pay, but any increases 
will normally be in line with the 
range of increases for other 
UK	employees.	In	specific	
circumstances, the Committee 
may award increases above 
this level, for example where:
•  Base pay for a recently 

appointed executive director 
has been set with a view to 
allowing progression in the 
role over time; or

•  There	has	been	a	significant	
increase in the size or scope 
of an executive director’s 
role or responsibilities; or

•  There	is	a	significant	

change in the regulatory 
environment.

Personal performance will be 
taken into consideration in 
determining any base pay 
increase.

For new executive directors, 
pension contributions are 
aligned to that available to 
the majority of the workforce 
(currently up to 10% of base 
pay).

Pension contributions for 
executive directors appointed 
before 2019 are currently 
aligned with the contributions 
for other senior managers in 
the	UK	defined	contribution	
pension plan (currently up to 
15% of base pay).

Pension contributions will be 
aligned between the majority 
of the UK workforce and all 
executive directors by 2022.

Provides	benefits	and	
allowances appropriate to 
the market, and to assist 
employees	in	efficiently	
carrying out their duties.

In line with other employees in 
the	UK,	benefits	currently	
include:
•  Private medical insurance;
•  Life insurance;
•  Income protection; and
•  All-employee (ShareSave 

and Share Purchase) plans.

Executive directors may 
participate in voluntary 
benefits	and	choose	to	acquire	
Legal	&	General	products	
which they fund themselves, 
sometimes through salary 
sacrifice.

In line with other senior 
managers in the UK, executive 
directors receive a non-
pensionable cash allowance 
in lieu of a company car.

Where an executive director 
is required to relocate, or 
perform duties outside their 
home country, additional 
benefits	may	be	provided	
(including healthcare and 
assistance for housing, school 
fees, home travel, relocation 
costs and tax compliance 
advice) for a period not 
exceeding two years.

The maximum amount paid in 
respect	of	benefits	will	be	the	
actual cost of providing those 
benefits	which,	particularly	in	
the	case	of	insured	benefits,	
may vary from year to year, 
although the Committee is 
mindful of achieving the best 
value	from	benefit	providers.

The maximum opportunity 
for participation in the 
all-employee share plans is 
the same for all employees 
and takes into account 
prevailing HMRC rules.

Incentivises and rewards the achievement of annual 
financial	performance	and	delivery	of	strategic	priorities.

Purpose and 

Provides a direct and transparent link between executive pay and the 

Compensates non-executive directors for 

Provides alignment with 

delivery of shareholder returns over the longer term.

their responsibilities and time commitment.

shareholder returns and 

link to 

strategy

50% of any AVP award is deferred into shares, reinforcing 
retention and alignment with shareholders by 
encouraging long-term focus and risk alignment.

In normal circumstances:
•  Performance is assessed over a one-year period.
•  Performance measures and weightings are set annually 
to ensure they are appropriately stretching, and aligned 
with the group’s strategic priorities.

•  Performance targets take into account internal forecasts, 

market expectations and prior year performance. 
Targets normally equate to the forecast in the strategic 
plan, with maximum set at an appropriate stretch above 
plan, but still within the company’s risk appetite.

•  AVP awards are determined after the year end, taking 

into consideration performance against targets, 
individual performance, and overall business 
performance.

•  50% of any AVP award is paid in cash, after the year 
end, with 50% deferred into restricted shares (or 
nil-cost options, or phantom equivalent, or other forms 
dependent upon business or regulatory requirements) 
for a further three years.

•  Dividends or dividend equivalents may accrue during 
the deferral period and vest and are paid in shares 
upon vesting.

•  Malus and clawback apply to both cash awards and 

deferred awards.

The	maximum	opportunity	in	respect	of	any	financial	
year is:
•  150% of base pay for the Group Chief Executive and 

Chief	Financial	Officer.

•  175% of base pay for other executive directors.

No bonus is payable for threshold performance or below, 
with up to 50% of maximum for target performance.

The Committee will consider the calculated outcome 
in	the	context	of	a	range	of	factors	(not	just	the	specific	
performance measures) including risk management, 
behaviours, culture, capital generation, Solvency II 
coverage	ratio	and	sustainable	financial	performance,	
and may apply a ‘moderator’ to reduce (but not increase) 
an AVP award if there are factors that warrant such 
a reduction.

ensures the impact on 

directors’ shareholdings moves 

in	line	with	Legal	&	General’s	

share price.

Operation

A conditional award of shares (or nil-cost options, or phantom 

Fees for the Chairman and non-executive 

Executive directors are expected 

equivalent, or other forms dependent upon business or regulatory 

directors are set at an appropriate level to 

to retain any after tax vested 

reflect:

and

requirements). In normal circumstances: 

share awards until their 

•  Subject to a performance period of no less than three years.

•  Time	commitment	required	to	fulfill	the	role

shareholding requirements 

•  Subject to a holding period such that no awards are released before 

•  Responsibilities and duties of the positions; 

are met, and maintain that 

five	years	from	the	date	of	grant.

shareholding requirement (or 

•  Performance measures and targets are set annually by the 

•  Typical competitor practice in the FTSE 100 

their actual shareholding at the 

Committee to ensure they are relevant and appropriately stretching, 

and	other	financial	services	institutions.

date of leaving, if lower) for at 

and aligned with the delivery of shareholder returns over the longer 

least two years after leaving 

term.

Fees comprise a base fee for membership of 

employment with the group.

•  Performance targets take into account, internal forecasts, any 

the Board, plus (where applicable) additional 

guidance provided to the market, market expectations, prior 

fees for:

performance, and the company’s risk appetite.

•  Senior Independent Director (SID).

•  Dividends or dividend equivalents may accrue in the period following 

•  Committee chairmanship; and

The Committee retains the 

discretion to withhold future PSP 

grants if executive directors are 

the end of the performance period until vesting and release; and

•  Committee membership (not including the 

not	making	sufficient	progress	

•  Malus and clawback apply.

Nominations and Corporate Governance 

towards their shareholding 

Committee).

requirement.

Exceptionally, the Committee may adjust and amend the PSP awards 

in accordance with the rules, including:

Additional fees for membership of 

Non-executive directors may 

•  Lengthen the performance period and/or the holding period for 

Committee, or chairmanship or membership 

elect to receive a proportion 

of	subsidiary	boards,	or	other	fixed	fees	may	

of their fees (normally 50%) 

•  Reduce (but not increase) the level of vesting dependent upon the 

apply	if	justified	by	time	or	commitment.

future awards.

performance of the group.

in	Legal	&	General	shares	until	

their shareholding requirement 

The Chairman receives an inclusive fee for  

is met.

the role. The Chairman’s fee is reviewed 

annually by the Committee, and the 

The sale of shares prior to the 

non-executive directors’ fees are reviewed by 

shareholding requirements 

the executive directors. There is no obligation 

being met may be permitted 

to increase fees upon any such review.

in extenuating situations, for 

example, a change to personal 

circumstances or ill health.

Opportunity 

The maximum opportunity for an executive director in respect of any 

Fees are subject to the aggregate limit in 

Shares owned outright 

or 

financial	year	is	300%	of	base	pay	(although	the	Committee’s	current	

the company’s Articles of Association. Any 

equivalent to:

requirement

intention is that the normal award opportunity will be 250% of base 

changes in this limit would be subject to 

•  325% of base pay for 

pay).

•  15% of the award vests for threshold performance.

shareholder approval.

executive directors; and

•  100% of base fee for 

•  100% of the award vests for achievement of maximum.

The Chairman and non-executive directors 

non-executive directors.

The Committee assesses the formulaic vesting outcome, and may 

pension or incentive plan. However, additional 

amend the vesting downwards (but not increase the level of vesting) 

benefits	may	be	provided	if	the	Board	feels	

considering a range of factors including overall performance, risk 

this	is	justified,	such	as	tax	compliance	

management, capital generation, Solvency II coverage ratio, and 

advice, work permits or similar. Expenses 

are	not	eligible	to	participate	in	any	benefit,	

(from 2021) ESG.

incurred in carrying out duties (and any 

associated tax liability) may be reimbursed 

or paid directly by the Company.

There are no performance 
conditions.

There are no performance 
conditions.

A combination of:
•  Financial performance (primary measure with at least 

70%	weighting)	–	to	ensure	growth	and	return	to	
shareholders; and

•  Strategic	and	personal	performance	–	to	safeguard	
the future, with the development of future income 
streams, and focus on key metrics including 
customers, culture and (from 2021) ESG.

Performance

An appropriate mix (normally an equal weighting) of:

No performance conditions.

Not applicable.

•  Earnings	performance	–	to	incentivise	growth	in	earnings;	and

•  Shareholder	return	–	to	deliver	a	competitive	return	for	shareholders.

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Base pay

Pension contributions

Benefits

Annual Variable Pay (AVP)

Performance Share Plan (PSP)

Non-executive directors’ fees

Shareholding requirements

Fixed pay

Purpose and 

Provides	a	fixed	level	of	

Provides a basis for savings 

Provides	benefits	and	

Incentivises and rewards the achievement of annual 

link to 

strategy

earnings, appropriate to the 

to provide an income in 

market and requirements of 

retirement.

the role.

allowances appropriate to 

the market, and to assist 

employees	in	efficiently	

carrying out their duties.

financial	performance	and	delivery	of	strategic	priorities.

50% of any AVP award is deferred into shares, reinforcing 

retention and alignment with shareholders by 

encouraging long-term focus and risk alignment.

Purpose and 
link to 
strategy

Provides a direct and transparent link between executive pay and the 
delivery of shareholder returns over the longer term.

Compensates non-executive directors for 
their responsibilities and time commitment.

Operation

Reviewed annually with effect 

In line with other employees 

In line with other employees in 

In normal circumstances:

Operation

A conditional award of shares (or nil-cost options, or phantom 
equivalent, or other forms dependent upon business or regulatory 
requirements). In normal circumstances: 
•  Subject to a performance period of no less than three years.
•  Subject to a holding period such that no awards are released before 

Fees for the Chairman and non-executive 
directors are set at an appropriate level to 
reflect:
•  Time	commitment	required	to	fulfill	the	role
•  Responsibilities and duties of the positions; 

•  Income protection; and

•  Performance targets take into account internal forecasts, 

five	years	from	the	date	of	grant.

and

•  Performance measures and targets are set annually by the 

Committee to ensure they are relevant and appropriately stretching, 
and aligned with the delivery of shareholder returns over the longer 
term.

•  Performance targets take into account, internal forecasts, any 
guidance provided to the market, market expectations, prior 
performance, and the company’s risk appetite.

•  Dividends or dividend equivalents may accrue in the period following 

the end of the performance period until vesting and release; and

•  Malus and clawback apply.

Exceptionally, the Committee may adjust and amend the PSP awards 
in accordance with the rules, including:
•  Lengthen the performance period and/or the holding period for 

future awards.

•  Reduce (but not increase) the level of vesting dependent upon the 

performance of the group.

•  Typical competitor practice in the FTSE 100 
and	other	financial	services	institutions.

Fees comprise a base fee for membership of 
the Board, plus (where applicable) additional 
fees for:
•  Senior Independent Director (SID).
•  Committee chairmanship; and
•  Committee membership (not including the 
Nominations and Corporate Governance 
Committee).

Additional fees for membership of 
Committee, or chairmanship or membership 
of	subsidiary	boards,	or	other	fixed	fees	may	
apply	if	justified	by	time	or	commitment.

The Chairman receives an inclusive fee for  
the role. The Chairman’s fee is reviewed 
annually by the Committee, and the 
non-executive directors’ fees are reviewed by 
the executive directors. There is no obligation 
to increase fees upon any such review.

Opportunity 
or 
requirement

The maximum opportunity for an executive director in respect of any 
financial	year	is	300%	of	base	pay	(although	the	Committee’s	current	
intention is that the normal award opportunity will be 250% of base 
pay).
•  15% of the award vests for threshold performance.
•  100% of the award vests for achievement of maximum.

The Committee assesses the formulaic vesting outcome, and may 
amend the vesting downwards (but not increase the level of vesting) 
considering a range of factors including overall performance, risk 
management, capital generation, Solvency II coverage ratio, and 
(from 2021) ESG.

Fees are subject to the aggregate limit in 
the company’s Articles of Association. Any 
changes in this limit would be subject to 
shareholder approval.

The Chairman and non-executive directors 
are	not	eligible	to	participate	in	any	benefit,	
pension or incentive plan. However, additional 
benefits	may	be	provided	if	the	Board	feels	
this	is	justified,	such	as	tax	compliance	
advice, work permits or similar. Expenses 
incurred in carrying out duties (and any 
associated tax liability) may be reimbursed 
or paid directly by the Company.

Provides alignment with 
shareholder returns and 
ensures the impact on 
directors’ shareholdings moves 
in	line	with	Legal	&	General’s	
share price.

Executive directors are expected 
to retain any after tax vested 
share awards until their 
shareholding requirements 
are met, and maintain that 
shareholding requirement (or 
their actual shareholding at the 
date of leaving, if lower) for at 
least two years after leaving 
employment with the group.

The Committee retains the 
discretion to withhold future PSP 
grants if executive directors are 
not	making	sufficient	progress	
towards their shareholding 
requirement.

Non-executive directors may 
elect to receive a proportion 
of their fees (normally 50%) 
in	Legal	&	General	shares	until	
their shareholding requirement 
is met.

The sale of shares prior to the 
shareholding requirements 
being met may be permitted 
in extenuating situations, for 
example, a change to personal 
circumstances or ill health.

Shares owned outright 
equivalent to:
•  325% of base pay for 

executive directors; and

•  100% of base fee for 

non-executive directors.

Performance

An appropriate mix (normally an equal weighting) of:
•  Earnings	performance	–	to	incentivise	growth	in	earnings;	and
•  Shareholder	return	–	to	deliver	a	competitive	return	for	shareholders.

No performance conditions.

Not applicable.

Remuneration policy

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

101

from 1 March, taking into 

in the UK, executive 

the	UK,	benefits	currently	

•  Performance is assessed over a one-year period.

account:

directors may:

include:

•  Performance measures and weightings are set annually 

•  the individual’s skills, 

•  Participate	in	a	defined	

•  Private medical insurance;

to ensure they are appropriately stretching, and aligned 

contribution pension plan; 

•  Life insurance;

with the group’s strategic priorities.

experience and 

performance;

•  scope of the role;

•  external market data, 

or

in lieu; or

including other FTSE 100 

•  Receive some 

companies and other 

financial	and	non-financial	

combination thereof.

•  Receive a cash allowance 

•  All-employee (ShareSave 

market expectations and prior year performance. 

and Share Purchase) plans.

Targets normally equate to the forecast in the strategic 

plan, with maximum set at an appropriate stretch above 

Executive directors may 

participate in voluntary 

plan, but still within the company’s risk appetite.

•  AVP awards are determined after the year end, taking 

institutions;

Non-UK national executives 

benefits	and	choose	to	acquire	

into consideration performance against targets, 

•  pay and conditions 

may be permitted to 

Legal	&	General	products	

individual performance, and overall business 

elsewhere in the group

participate in home-country 

which they fund themselves, 

performance.

pension plans where 

sometimes through salary 

•  50% of any AVP award is paid in cash, after the year 

•  overall business 

performance.

relevant.

sacrifice.

There is no obligation to 

Base pay is the only element 

In line with other senior 

increase base pay upon any 

of pensionable 

such review, and any decision 

remuneration.

to increase base pay will take 

into account the associated 

impact on overall quantum. 

end, with 50% deferred into restricted shares (or 

nil-cost options, or phantom equivalent, or other forms 

dependent upon business or regulatory requirements) 

managers in the UK, executive 

for a further three years.

directors receive a non-

•  Dividends or dividend equivalents may accrue during 

pensionable cash allowance 

the deferral period and vest and are paid in shares 

in lieu of a company car.

upon vesting.

•  Malus and clawback apply to both cash awards and 

Where an executive director 

deferred awards.

is required to relocate, or 

perform duties outside their 

home country, additional 

benefits	may	be	provided	

(including healthcare and 

assistance for housing, school 

fees, home travel, relocation 

costs and tax compliance 

advice) for a period not 

exceeding two years.

Opportunity

There is no set maximum 

For new executive directors, 

The maximum amount paid in 

The	maximum	opportunity	in	respect	of	any	financial	

base pay, but any increases 

pension contributions are 

respect	of	benefits	will	be	the	

year is:

will normally be in line with the 

aligned to that available to 

actual cost of providing those 

•  150% of base pay for the Group Chief Executive and 

range of increases for other 

the majority of the workforce 

benefits	which,	particularly	in	

Chief	Financial	Officer.

UK	employees.	In	specific	

(currently up to 10% of base 

the	case	of	insured	benefits,	

•  175% of base pay for other executive directors.

circumstances, the Committee 

pay).

may award increases above 

may vary from year to year, 

although the Committee is 

No bonus is payable for threshold performance or below, 

this level, for example where:

Pension contributions for 

mindful of achieving the best 

with up to 50% of maximum for target performance.

•  Base pay for a recently 

executive directors appointed 

value	from	benefit	providers.

appointed executive director 

before 2019 are currently 

The Committee will consider the calculated outcome 

has been set with a view to 

aligned with the contributions 

The maximum opportunity 

in	the	context	of	a	range	of	factors	(not	just	the	specific	

allowing progression in the 

for other senior managers in 

for participation in the 

performance measures) including risk management, 

role over time; or

the	UK	defined	contribution	

all-employee share plans is 

behaviours, culture, capital generation, Solvency II 

•  There	has	been	a	significant	

pension plan (currently up to 

the same for all employees 

coverage	ratio	and	sustainable	financial	performance,	

and takes into account 

prevailing HMRC rules.

and may apply a ‘moderator’ to reduce (but not increase) 

an AVP award if there are factors that warrant such 

a reduction.

increase in the size or scope 

15% of base pay).

of an executive director’s 

role or responsibilities; or

•  There	is	a	significant	

Pension contributions will be 

aligned between the majority 

change in the regulatory 

of the UK workforce and all 

environment.

executive directors by 2022.

Performance

Personal performance will be 

There are no performance 

There are no performance 

A combination of:

taken into consideration in 

conditions.

conditions.

determining any base pay 

increase.

•  Financial performance (primary measure with at least 

70%	weighting)	–	to	ensure	growth	and	return	to	

shareholders; and

•  Strategic	and	personal	performance	–	to	safeguard	

the future, with the development of future income 

streams, and focus on key metrics including 

customers, culture and (from 2021) ESG.

Annual report on remuneration

Audited information 
Content contained within a grey outline box indicates that all the information 
in the panel is audited.

Planned implementation for 2022
Content contained within a black outline box indicates that all the information 
in the panel is planned for implementation in 2022.

‘Single figure’ of remuneration – executive directors
The	following	table	shows	a	single	total	figure	of	remuneration	for	each	executive	director	in	respect	of	qualifying	services	for	the	2021	financial	year,	
together	with	a	comparative	figure	for	2020.

Single figure table

Executive director

2021

Sir Nigel Wilson

Jeff Davies

2020

Sir Nigel Wilson

Jeff Davies

Fixed

Variable

PSP

Base pay 
£’000

Benefits 
£’000

Pensions 
£’000

980

590

974

584

24

23

24

23

147

78

146

77

Total 
fixed 
£’000

1,151

691

1,144

684

AVP 
£’000

Face value 
£’000

Share price 
appreciation 
£’000

Total 
variable 
£’000

1,388

816

346

213

1,960

1,150

5611

3091

21

12

41

22

3,369

1,978

948

544

Total 
£’000

4,520

2,669

2,092

1,228

1. 

 Reporting of the 2018 PSP in the 2020 annual report
 The vesting date of the 2018 PSP award occurred after the 2020 results announcement. As a result, the PSP figures recognised in the 2020 annual report were based on a three-month 
average share price to 31 December 2020. The 2018 PSP figures reported in the 2020 single figure table above now reflect the share price at vesting on 11 March 2021, at 286.7p per 
share. The figures in the 2020 report were £479,323 (Sir Nigel Wilson) and £263,705 (Jeff Davies).

Base pay

Executive director

Sir Nigel Wilson

Jeff Davies 

Annual base pay as at  
1 January 2021

Annual base pay effective  
1 March 2021

979,500

590,000

979,500

590,000

Total base pay  
paid in 2021

979,500

590,000

Annual base pay effective  
1 March 2022

% 
increase

1,028,500

632,000

5.0%

7.1%

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Governance

 
 
 
 
 
Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Benefits
Benefits	include	the	elements	shown	in	the	table	below.

Executive director

2021

Sir Nigel Wilson

Jeff Davies

2020

Sir Nigel Wilson

Jeff Davies

Car allowance, 
insurances and 
taxable expenses 
£’000

Discount  
SAYE and SIP 
matching shares 
£’000

Dividends 
£’000

Total 
benefits 
£’000

19

20

19

20

4

1

4

1

1

2

1

2

24

23

24

23

The Share Incentive Plan (SIP) matching shares and dividends relate to the all-employee share purchase plan. No dividends are payable on outstanding 
Share Bonus Plan (SBP) or PSP awards. Save As You Earn (SAYE) is calculated based on the value of the discount on SAYE share options exercised in 
the year.

Benefits for 2022
Benefits	for	2022	remain	in	line	with	policy.

Pension
Sir Nigel Wilson received a cash allowance in lieu of pension contributions equal to 15% of base pay. Jeff Davies received a cash allowance of 13.2% 
of base pay. All cash allowances are subject to normal payroll deductions for income tax and national insurance.

Pension for 2022
From December 2022, Sir Nigel Wilson and Jeff Davies will receive a cash allowance of 10% of base pay, aligned with employer pension 
contributions for the majority of the UK workforce. Prior to this change the cash allowance will remain at the current level.

Annual report on remuneration

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

103

Annual report on remuneration 
continued

2021 Annual Variable Pay (AVP) awards
The	2021	AVP	awards	are	based	on	performance	for	the	year	ended	31	December	2021.	70%	of	the	bonus	opportunity	is	determined	by	financial	
performance and 30% is based upon the achievement of strategic objectives.

The	figures	below	represent	the	total	2021	AVP	awards	to	be	paid,	incorporating	the	amount	payable	in	cash	in	2022	(50%),	and	amount	deferred	
into restricted shares for a further three years to be released in 2025 (50%) subject to continued employment with malus and clawback provisions.

2021 performance targets and outcome

AVP award
(% of maximum)

Threshold 
(0% max)

Target
(50% max)

Maximum
(100% max)

Actual

Outcome
(% of max)

Weighting

Sir Nigel 
Wilson

Jeff Davies

£1,374m

£1,893m

22.4p

14.5%

£1,477m

£2,018m

26.1p

15.8%

£1,529m

£2,081m

29.7p

17.0%

£1,688m

£2,262m

34.2p

20.5%

See table below

See table below

100% x

100% x

100% x

100% x

81.7%

74.0%

20% =

25% =

12.5% =

12.5% =

30% =

100%

Performance measure

Net release from operations 
(NRO)

Adjusted	operating	profit

Earnings per share (EPS)

Return on Equity (ROE)

Strategic	–	Sir	Nigel	Wilson

Strategic	–	Jeff	Davies

Total (% of maximum)

Maximum bonus opportunity (% of base pay)

Base pay

2021 AVP award

20%

25%

12.5%

12.5%

24.5%

94.5%

x

150%

x

20%

25%

12.5%

12.5%

22.2%

92.2%

x

150%

x

£979,500

£590,000

=

=

£1,388,400

£815,900

Strategic objectives comprise a qualitative assessment by the Remuneration Committee of operational performance and risk management, 
customer and culture metrics, and other strategic objectives set by the Committee, including ESG objectives. A qualitative assessment, rather 
than an outcome based only on pre-determined numerical targets, is considered more appropriate for the assessment of strategic objectives, 
as this enables the Committee to consider performance in the context of a range of factors and changing situations during the year.

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Financial statements

Other information

Key	focus	areas	are	identified	at	the	beginning	of	each	year,	and	strategic	objectives	may	be	set	individually	for	each	executive	director	or	assessed	
as their individual contribution to joint objectives. Normally, 10% of the total bonus opportunity is allocated to each category encompassing:

•  Operational performance and risk management: determined by the Committee and supported by analysis from the Director of Group Finance 
and	Chief	Risk	Officer,	using	quantitative	and	qualitative	metrics,	including	divisional	and	group	operational	performance,	capital	management,	
prudential risk, IT and cyber risk, and internal audit.

•  Customer and culture assessment: based on a range of metrics including customer performance scores and feedback, employee 

engagement scores, and progress of gender and other diversity goals.

•  Other strategic objectives: focus on safeguarding the future and developing future income streams. For 2021, this includes progress of key 
environmental commitments as referenced in our 2020 climate report, prepared in line with the recommendations of the Task Force on 
Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

Some strategic objectives may be commercially sensitive and accordingly they will not be disclosed in this year’s report or any future report until 
such time as they are considered no longer commercially sensitive.

A list of the key focus areas and outcomes for 2021 is set out below.

Focus areas

Operational performance and risk management:
•   Strong performance against Solvency II operational surplus goals (£3.1 billion at the end of 2021) and against ambition 
for	Solvency	II	net	surplus	generation	to	cumulatively	exceed	dividends	paid	over	2020	–	2024	(£0.3	billion	accrued	to	
the end of 2021)

•  Strong operational performance across all divisions including: 
•  Building 4,364 new homes in 2021 (an increase from 3,374 in 2020)
•  Supporting PodPoint to scale up at pace and deliver a successful IPO in Nov. 2021
•   £611 million of investments in start ups during 2021
•  Continued development of Fintech solutions

Customer and culture:
•  Positive	customer	feedback	with	80%	of	customers	scoring	Legal	&	General	7	out	of	10	or	higher	for	customer	

satisfaction 

•  Net promoter score of +73 within our institutional retirement division 
•  Reduction	in	claims	timings	for	retail	protection	clients	(reduction	of	19	days	for	non-medical	claims	from	Q2	

to	Q4	2021

•   Continued positive employee feedback with employee satisfaction index at 76% (higher than pre-Covid 19 levels)
•  Progressive narrowing of gender pay gap (median gap falling from 26.6% in 2020 to 24.1% in 2021) 

Other strategic:
•  Portfolio carbon emission intensity reduced by half by 2030, with 2021 reduction of at least 2% (actual reduction 

of 17.0% compared to 2020).

•  Provisional science-based targets (SBTs) developed for key group businesses and on track for submission within 

2 year deadline

•  Operational	footprint	(occupied	offices	and	business	travel)	net	zero	carbon	emissions	from	2030,	with	initial	reduction	

pathway mapped during 2021 to align with science-based targets (SBTs) (2021: achieved)

•  Other	specific	strategic	targets	(not	disclosed).

Assessment
(out of 30%)

Sir Nigel Wilson

Jeff Davies

24.5/30

22.2/30

In	addition,	the	Committee	considers	the	Solvency	II	coverage	ratio	(2021:	187%)	and	sustainable	financial	performance,	and	may	apply	
a ‘moderator’ to reduce (but not increase) an AVP award if there are factors that warrant such a reduction. For 2021, it was determined that 
no adjustment was necessary to the calculated AVP awards.

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Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

105

 
Annual report on remuneration 
continued

Risk consideration
The	Committee	reviewed	a	comprehensive	report	from	the	Chief	Risk	Officer	to	ascertain	that	the	executive	directors’	objectives	had	been	fulfilled	
within the risk appetite of the group. In addition, the Committee received feedback from the Group Regulatory Risk and Compliance function that 
there were no issues to consider relating to regulatory breaches or customer outcomes that would prevent payment of any AVP award or trigger 
a	recommendation	that	malus	should	be	applied.	The	Committee	was	satisfied	that	the	AVP	awards	should	be	paid.

Deferral policy
In line with the remuneration policy, 50% of all 2021 AVP awards have been deferred for three years into restricted shares, subject to continued 
employment and with malus and clawback provisions. 

AVP potential 2022
In line with the remuneration policy, for 2022 the target and maximum AVP opportunities for our executive directors will be:

Executive director

Sir Nigel Wilson

Jeff Davies

Target opportunity
(% of base pay)

Maximum opportunity
(% of base pay)

75%

75%

150%

150%

Performance	will	be	based	on	group	financial	performance	targets	aligned	to	the	group’s	key	performance	indicators,	as	well	as	strategic	
(including environmental, social and governance measures) and personal measures. The percentage weightings will be the same as in 2021. 
Group	financial	targets	will	be	disclosed	in	the	2022	annual	report.	Some	strategic	and	personal	targets	are	considered	confidential	and	will	
not be disclosed in any future report.

In line with the remuneration policy, 50% of all 2022 AVP awards will be deferred for three years into restricted shares, subject to continued 
employment, with malus and clawback provisions.

Details of how the 2019 PSP award vested
The 2019 PSP award vested at 82.9% of maximum in March 2022 based on a combination of total shareholder return (TSR) out-performance (50%) 
and earnings per share (EPS) growth (50%) over the three-year performance period ended 31 December 2021.

Perfo rmance measure

TSR vs FTSE 100

TSR vs bespoke comparator group

EPS growth (% p.a.)

Total (% of maximum)

The bespoke comparator group comprises:

Weighting

Outcome (% of maximum)

25%

25%

50%

100%

45.5%

86.0%

100%

82.9%

Abrdn, Aegon, Ageas, Allianz, Ameriprise Financial, Assicurazioni Generali, Aviva, AXA, CNP Assurances, Gjensidige Forsikring, Hannover Rueck., 
ING Groep, Lincoln National, Mapfre, Metlife, Muenchener Ruck., Phoenix Group Holdings, Principal Financial Group, Prudential, Prudential Financial, 
Sampo, Swiss Re, Talanx, Zurich Insurance Group.

The Committee reviewed the company’s overall performance taking into consideration an assessment of Solvency II performance and progress against 
long-term	environmental,	social	and	governance	(ESG)	objectives.	The	Committee	was	satisfied	that	the	PSP	awards	should	vest	in	accordance	with	the	
TSR and EPS growth outcomes.

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Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

The results are shown below:

Grant date

16 April 2019

Performance 
period

1 January 2019 
to 31 December 
2021

Comparator 
group

FTSE 100

Bespoke 
comparator 
group

Legal & 
General’s 

TSR1 Median rank

46.5

80th 
percentile 
rank

19.0

46.3%

12.5

5.0

Performance target

Legal & General’s
rank

36.6

6.2

Performance condition

EPS growth (% p.a.)

Threshold

5.0%

Maximum

Actual performance

12.0%

12.4%

1.  TSR is calculated in accordance with the Performance Share Plan rules using the three-month average prior to the start and end of the performance period.

Outcome
(% of maximum)

45.5%

86.0%

Outcome
(% of maximum)

100%

The	PSP	award	will	vest	on	11	March	2022.	As	the	share	price	at	the	date	of	vesting	was	not	known	as	of	the	date	of	this	report,	the	value	included	in	the	‘single	figure’	
of remuneration on page 102 has been calculated based on the number of shares vesting multiplied by the average share price over the quarter ended 31 December 
2021 (288.5p). The actual share price and value at vesting will be reported in the 2022 annual report.

Executive director

Sir Nigel Wilson

Jeff Davies

Shares granted in 2019

828,107

486,091

Vesting outcome
(% of maximum)

82.9%

82.9%

Shares vesting
 in March 2022

686,501

402,969

Estimated value of  
shares on vesting (£)

1,980,555

1,162,567

Performance Share Plan (PSP) 2022 awards: Sir Nigel Wilson and Jeff Davies will each be granted an award with a face value of 250% of base pay.

For the 2022 award, the following performance measures will be used:

•  TSR performance relative to the FTSE 100 (25% of award)
•  TSR performance relative to a bespoke comparator group of companies (25% of award).
•  EPS growth (50% of award).

Vesting of awards will be subject to an assessment of performance against Solvency II objectives and progress against long-term ESG objectives.

Having considered the business plan over the next three years and market expectations of performance, and given the level of stretch within the 
TSR performance conditions, the Committee considered it appropriate for vesting to be based on performance as set out in the table below:

Vesting 

TSR performance

EPS growth

Below Threshold

0%

Below median

<5% p.a.

Threshold

15%

Median

5% p.a.

Maximum

100%

80th percentile

12% p.a.

Performance below threshold results in nil vesting, and performance between threshold and maximum vests on a straight line basis between 15% 
and 100% of maximum. 

Annual report on remuneration

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107

Annual report on remuneration 
continued

Other remuneration information
Total shareholder return (TSR)
The chart shows the value, as at 31 December 2021, of £100 invested in 
Legal	&	General	shares	on	31	December	2011,	compared	to	£100	invested	
in the FTSE 100 on the same date. The FTSE 100 Index was chosen as the 
comparator because the Company is a member of this index.

As at 31 December 2021
500%

400%

300%

200%

100%

0%

-100%

Dec 11 Dec 12 Dec 13 Dec 14

Dec 15

Dec 16

Dec 17 Dec 18 Dec 19 Dec 20 Dec 21

Legal & General

FTSE 100 

Group Chief Executive – historic remuneration information
The table below shows the remuneration of the Group Chief Executive in place at the time over the same period.

Year

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

Name

Sir Nigel Wilson

Sir Nigel Wilson

Sir Nigel Wilson

Sir Nigel Wilson

Sir Nigel Wilson

Sir Nigel Wilson

Sir Nigel Wilson

Sir Nigel Wilson

Sir Nigel Wilson

Sir	Nigel	Wilson	–	appointed	30	June	2012

Tim	Breedon	–	retired	30	June	2012

Group Chief Executive 
single figure of 
total remuneration 
(£’000)

Annual variable 
element against 
maximum 
opportunity

PSP vesting rates 
against 
maximum 
opportunity

4,520

2,092

4,592

3,398

3,439

5,417

5,497

4,213

4,072

898

3,280

94.5%

23.5%

91.1%

80.4%

85.3%

87.8%

86.3%

90.7%

93.1%

96.0%

84.8%

82.9%

24.2%

86.9%

48.7%

59.9%

76.6%

100%

100%

100%

0%1

100%2

1.  The 2009 PSP vested in full in 2012. However, no PSP is shown in the figure for Sir Nigel Wilson as, while he received the PSP, it vested during the time he was Chief Financial Officer.
2.  The 2009 PSP vested in full in 2012. The PSP figure that vested for Tim Breedon is shown in his figure as it vested during the time he was Group Chief Executive.

Due	to	the	timing	of	the	vesting	of	PSP	awards,	initially	PSP	figures	within	the	single	figure	of	remuneration	are	calculated	based	on	the	average	share	
price	for	the	three	months	ended	31	December	in	the	respective	year.	As	noted	under	the	single	figure	of	remuneration	table	on	page	102,	the	figures	are	
restated	in	the	following	year’s	report	to	reflect	the	actual	share	price	on	the	vesting	date.	The	figures	in	the	table	above	have	been	restated	to	reflect	the	
actual	share	price	on	vesting	for	the	years	2015	–	2020.

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Scheme interests awarded during the financial year
The following table sets out details of deferred annual variable pay (AVP) and performance share plan (PSP) awards made in 2021.

Executive director

Sir Nigel Wilson

Jeff Davies

Reason for award

Award type

Awards granted in 2021

Grant price
£

Face value at grant price
£

PSP

Deferred AVP

PSP

Deferred AVP

Nil-cost option

Restricted shares

Nil-cost options

Restricted shares

832,341

58,520

501,359

36,039

2.9420

2.9537

2.9420

2.9537

2,448,747

172,851

1,474,998

106,448

Performance conditions for PSP awards granted in 2021
The PSP awards were granted on 13 April 2021. 25% of the award will vest based on TSR performance relative to the FTSE 100, 25% of the award 
will vest based on TSR performance relative to a bespoke peer group (comprising Abrdn, Aegon, Ageas, Allianz, Assicurazioni Generali, Aviva, AXA, 
CNP	Assurances,	Gjensidige	Forsikring,	Hannover	Rueck.,	Lincoln	National,	M&G,	Mapfre,	Metlife,	Muenchener	Ruck.,	NN	Group,	Phoenix	Group,	
Principal Financial, Prudential Financial, Prudential, Sampo A, Swiss Re, Talanx and Zurich Insurance Group), and 50% of the award will vest based 
on the EPS growth. Vesting will be based on performance as set out in the table below:

Vesting

TSR performance

EPS growth

Below threshold

0%

Below median

<5% p.a.

Threshold

15%

Median

5% p.a.

Maximum

100%

80th percentile

12% p.a.

Performance below threshold results in a nil vesting, and performance between threshold and maximum vests on a straight line basis between 
15% and 100% of maximum.

At the end of the three-year performance period commencing 1 January 2021, the Committee will assess whether the formulaic vesting outcome is 
justified	by	looking	at	a	number	of	factors	including:	whether	the	result	is	reflective	of	overall	performance	and	has	been	achieved	within	the	Company’s	
risk appetite, the Solvency II coverage ratio, the quality of earnings, nature of any changes in leverage or key assumptions and progress against long-term 
ESG	objectives.	If	such	considerations	mean	that	the	formulaic	outcome	of	the	vesting	is	not	considered	to	be	justified,	the	Committee	can	amend	the	
vesting downwards (but not increase the level of vesting). The Remuneration Committee may also consider reducing the number of shares vesting and/
or impose further conditions on the award to neutralise any ‘windfall gain’ that may have arisen. 

Payments for loss of office and to past directors
There	were	no	payments	to	directors	for	loss	of	office	and	no	payments	to	past	directors	during	2021.

Statement of directors’ shareholding and share interests
Total shareholding of executive directors:

Sir Nigel Wilson

Jeff Davies

Type

Shares

ESP

Options

Shares

ESP

Options

Owned outright/ 
vested shares

Subject to deferral/ 
holding period

3,637,332

19,324

–

244,739

3,476

–

530,996

5,295

475,161

311,031

1,282

269,933

Total vested and 
unvested shares 
(excludes any 
shares with 
performance 
conditions)

4,168,328

24,619

475,161

555,770

4,758

269,933

Shares sold or acquired during the period 
1 January 2022 and 8 March 2022

Owned outright/ 
vested shares

Subject to deferral/
holding period

–

132

–

–

132

–

–

73

–

–

73

–

Subject to  
performance  
conditions

–

–

2,728,558

–

–

1,630,824

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Shareholding requirement – executive directors
The shareholding requirement for all executive directors is 325% of base pay.

Actual share  
ownership as % of 2021 
base salary: 
vested shares1

1,111%

125%

Shareholding
requirement met

Shares owned at  
1 January 2021

Shares owned at  
31 December 2021

Yes

No

3,316,706

81,610

3,656,656

248,215

Shares sold or acquired 
during the period 
1 January 2022 and 
8 March 2022

205

205

Sir Nigel Wilson

Jeff Davies

1.  Closing share price as at 31 December 2021: £2.975

Notes
Shares used for the above calculation exclude those with performance conditions, any unexercised options, those shares subject to a period of deferral and any shares held in a private 
trust	where	the	executive	director	is	not	a	trustee.	They	include	vested	shares	where	the	executive	director	has	beneficial	ownership,	shares	independently	acquired	in	the	market	and	
those held by a spouse or civil partner or dependant child under the age of 18 years.

Although the shareholding requirement is not contractually binding, executive directors are expected to retain any after tax vested share awards 
until their shareholding requirements are met, and maintain that shareholding requirement (or their actual shareholding at the date of leaving, if 
lower) for at least two years after leaving employment. The Committee retains the discretion to withhold future grants under the PSP if executives 
are	not	making	sufficient	progress	towards	their	shareholding	requirement.	Once	shareholding	requirements	have	been	met,	executive	directors	
may sell shares in excess of the shareholding requirement if they wish. The Committee has discretion to allow executive directors to sell shares 
prior to the shareholding requirement being met in extenuating situations, for example, a change to personal circumstances or ill health, etc.

Share options exercised during 2021
PSP awards may be granted in the form of nil-cost options with an exercise date no earlier than the normal vesting date. Executive Directors may 
also participate in the Company’s ShareSave scheme. Where such share awards have been exercised during 2021 they are shown below: 

Executive director

Sir Nigel Wilson

Sir Nigel Wilson

Jeff Davies

Jeff Davies

Date of grant

Shares exercised

Exercise date

21/04/2016

18/04/2017

18/04/2017

06/04/2018

171,349

287,560

158,174

2,037

12/04/2021

12/04/2021

15/03/2021

01/06/2021

Share price at  
date of exercise
£

2.962

2.962

2.870

2.843

Gain
£

507,536

851,753

453,959

1,473

Non-executive directors’ remuneration – 2021
Non-executive directors’ fees
The fees for the Chairman and non-executive directors were reviewed during 2021 and with effect from 1 August 2021 the fee for the Chairman was 
increased from £523,000 to £550,000. From 1 August 2021 the additional fee for chairing a Board committee was increased from £30,000 to £40,000 
and the committee membership fee was increased from £10,000 to £15,000 for the Audit, Remuneration and Risk committees. No fee was paid for 
membership of the Nominations and Corporate Governance or Technology committees. The current limit for base fees paid to non-executive directors 
is an aggregate of £1,500,000 per annum. The table below sets out the current fees.

Annual fees

Chairman

Base fee

Additional fees:

Senior Independent Director

Committee Chairmanship fee (Audit, Remuneration and Group Risk Committees)

Committee membership fee (Audit, Remuneration and Group Risk Committees)

Current fee
£

550,000

75,000

30,000

40,000

15,000

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The table below shows the actual fees paid to our non-executive directors in 2021 and 2020.

Non-executive  
director

Sir John Kingman

Chairman T N

Henrietta Baldock1

N R Ri

Nilufer von Bismarck A	T	N	Ri	–	appointed	1	May	2021

Philip Broadley

A T N R Ri

Lesley Knox2

George Lewis

Ric Lewis

Toby Strauss

Julia Wilson

N R Ri

A N R Ri

N R Ri

A T N Ri

Key:
NED Committee membership: 
A = Audit 

Fees  
for 2021

Benefits  
for 20213

Total  
remuneration  
for 2021

534,250

200,833

67,770

155,833

223,750

102,917

99,167

121,250

31,250

64

–

–

1,521

3,263

–

–

–

–

534,314

200,833

67,770

157,354

227,013

102,917

99,167

121,250

31,250

Fees  
for 2020

512,500

199,167

–

119,167

219,167

71,458

49,532

115,000

119,167

Benefits	 
for 2020

Total  
remuneration  
for 2020

–

–

–

3,053

1,628

21,227

–

444

89

512,500

199,167

–

122,220

220,795

92,685

49,532

115,444

119,256

N = Nominations and Corporate Governance 
R = Remuneration 

Ri = Risk
T = Technology

1.	

2.	

3.	

	Henrietta	Baldock	is	also	Chair	of	the	Legal	&	General	Assurance	Society	Board	for	which	she	receives	a	separate	fee	to	that	paid	to	her	as	a	non-executive	director	of	the	Company.	
The actual fees in the table above include her total fees for both roles. Henrietta was also a member of the Audit Committee until 31 March 2021.
	Lesley	Knox	is	also	Chair	of	the	Legal	&	General	Investment	Management	(Holdings)	Limited	Board	for	which	she	receives	a	separate	fee	to	that	paid	to	her	as	a	non-executive	
director of the Company. The actual fees in the table above include her fees for both roles. Lesley was also a member of the Audit Committee until 31 March 2021.
	The	Chairman	and	non-executive	directors	are	not	eligible	to	participate	in	any	benefits,	pension	or	incentive	plan.	The	amounts	disclosed	in	the	benefits	section	above	relate	
to taxable travel and accommodation expenses incurred while undertaking their roles as non-executive directors for the Company.

Shareholding requirements – non-executive directors
Non-executive directors are required to build up a shareholding equivalent to 100% of base fee, typically within three years of appointment. 
Non-executive directors may elect to receive a proportion of their fees (normally 50%) in shares until their shareholding requirement is met. 
The table below shows their shareholding as at 4 January 2022, taking into account share purchases in relation to December 2021 fees.

Name

Sir John Kingman

Henrietta Baldock

Nilufer	von	Bismarck	–	appointed	1	May	2021

Philip Broadley

Lesley Knox

George Lewis

Ric Lewis

Toby Strauss

Julia	Wilson	–	retired	from	the	Board	on	31	March	2021

Shareholding as at 
4 January 2022

Shareholding as a % of 
base fee

274,303

37,732

13,933

92,260

77,600

41,407

19,711

71,045

51,823

148%

150%

55%

366%

308%

164%

78%

282%

206%

1.  Director’s are on track to meet the shareholding requirement within 3 years based on the proportion of their fee received in shares.

Guideline met

Met

Met

On target1

Met

Met

Met

On target1

Met

Met

Shares purchased 
from 5 January 2022 
to 8 March 2022

1,723

2,380

5,967

–

–

2,977

3,270

3,224

–

Non-executive directors’ terms of employment

Sir John Kingman

Henrietta Baldock

Nilufer von Bismarck

Philip Broadley

Lesley Knox

George Lewis

Ric Lewis

Toby Strauss 

Laura Wade-Gery

Current letter of  
appointment start date

Current letter of  
appointment end date

24 October 2021

04 October 2021

01 May 2021

08 July 2019

01 June 2019

24 October 2025

04 October 2024

01 May 2024

08 July 2022

01 June 2022

01 November 2021

01 November 2024

18 June 2020

01 January 2020

03 January 2022

18 June 2023

01 January 2023

03 January 2025

Julia	Wilson	stepped	down	from	the	Board	on	31	March	2021.	The	standard	term	for	non-executive	directors	is	three	years	and	for	the	Chairman	is	five	
years. All non-executive directors are subject to annual re-election by shareholders.

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Remuneration for employees below Board
General remuneration policy
The group’s remuneration policy is designed to reward, motivate and retain high performers in line with the risk appetite of the group. Remuneration is 
considered within the overall context of the group’s sector and the markets in which it operates. The policy for the majority of employees is to pay around 
the relevant mid-market range with a competitive package designed to align the interests of employees with those of shareholders, and with an 
appropriate proportion of total remuneration dependent upon performance. 

We	define	core	remuneration	as	base	pay,	annual	bonus	and	other	benefits	such	as	pension.	Key	employees	are	also	eligible	to	participate	in	the	
performance share plan (PSP).

Summary of the remuneration structure for employees below the Board

Element

Fixed

Base pay

Benefits

Pension

Variable

Annual bonus

Policy

We aim to attract and retain key employees by paying base pay which delivers competitive total remuneration. Factors taken 
into account when determining salaries include:
•  the individual’s skills, experience and performance.
•  scope of the role.
•  external market data.
•  pay and conditions elsewhere in the group.
•  overall business performance.

As a member of the Living Wage Foundation, base pay is also set with reference to the Foundation’s UK and London living wage 
levels.

During 2021 the approach adopted was for the lowest paid employees (less than £30,000) to receive, on average, the highest 
increases (generally 3% of base pay). For 2022, the average increases will be around 5.2%.

All UK employees have access to private medical insurance, life insurance, and a range of family-friendly policies (maternity, 
paternity, adoption and shared parental leave). In addition there are several wellbeing support packages including Unmind (a 
confidential	mental	health	app),	childcare	and	elderly	care	support.	

All employees are given the opportunity to participate in a Group Pension Scheme. The pension opportunity offered to the 
majority of the UK workforce is 10% of base pay.

The majority of employees participate in a discretionary bonus plan, unless an alternative plan applies based on role. 
An employee will be considered for a discretionary bonus award based on achievement against objectives, conduct 
and behaviours, the role performed during that year and internal relativities.

The group operates bespoke bonus plans where business appropriate. However, the Remuneration Committee has ultimate 
discretion over all bonus plans.

Bonuses above a certain threshold are subject to deferral with the deferral amount increasing with the size of the bonus. 
Deferred awards are normally held in shares for three years and are subject to malus and clawback.

The company reserves the right to adjust deferral levels for Code staff as deemed necessary to comply with regulatory 
requirements.

Performance 
share plan (PSP)

Participation in the PSP is offered to a small number of senior management each year in recognition of the strategic and 
influential	role	that	they	hold	in	terms	of	driving	company	performance,	as	well	as	their	individual	contribution.	Participation	
in the plan for one year does not guarantee participation in future years.

PSP awards were made to around 92 employees during 2021.

Where appropriate, grants under the PSP may also be made for new employees who join the company during the year in key roles.

Other

Other share plans 
and long-term incentives

The Company operates a Share Bonus Plan (SBP) which provides the vehicle for deferral of annual bonuses in the majority 
of cases and also allows for a limited number of awards of shares to high potential individuals and those with critical skills.

Employee 
share plans

All employees are given the opportunity to participate in a ShareSave plan and an Employee Share Purchase plan. These are 
both HMRC-approved plans which offer all employees the opportunity to share in the success of the business.

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Annual equal pay review
The group seeks to ensure that our pay policies and practices are free from unfair bias. Part of the pay review process is an annual equal pay review that 
reviews pay and bonus decisions by gender, ethnicity, age and full-time versus part-time working. In addition, it considers the application of the pay policy 
more widely, in particular looking at decisions made in the annual pay review across grades, functions and divisions.

Gender pay reporting
The group has published its gender pay report for 2021. Further details can also be found on page 49 of the annual report.

Pay ratio in relation to the Group Chief Executive Officer
Since	2016	we	have	voluntarily	disclosed	details	of	the	pay	ratio	in	relation	to	the	Group	Chief	Executive	Officer	and	the	wider	UK	employee	population.	
From 2018 we made some amendments to how we report the information in order to align with the reporting requirements set out by BEIS, which came 
into	effect	for	financial	years	starting	1	January	2019.

The	tables	below	provide	the	ratio	between	the	base	pay	and	single	figure	total	remuneration	of	the	Group	Chief	Executive	Officer	and	the	base	pay	and	
total remuneration of UK employees at the upper quartile (75th percentile), median (50th percentile) and lower quartile (25th percentile).

Total remuneration

Year

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Base pay

Year

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Method

75th percentile

Median

25th percentile

75th percentile

Median

25th percentile

Pay ratio

All UK employees £

B

A

A

A

A

50

26

61

49

52

86

48

105

83

89

129

81

167

132

137

90,039

78,989

70,892

69,923

66,572

52,466

43,726

40,982

40,814

38,802

34,974

25,839

25,814

25,730

25,023

Pay ratio

All UK employees £

Method

75th percentile

Median

25th percentile

75th percentile

Median

25th percentile

B

A

A

A

A

14

15

16

16

16

22

26

27

27

27

34

42

42

41

42

68,832

65,101

60,000

57,853

58,020

43,579

37,677

35,000

34,475

33,649

28,500

23,232

22,550

22,781

22,148

Pay ratio commentary
Between 2020 and 2021 the ratio of total remuneration for the Group CEO compared to UK employees has increased. The increase is the result of the 
higher bonus award and vesting level of the 2019 PSP compared with the PSP awards in the previous year.

Methodology
The Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018 permit different options for calculating the pay ratio. We have chosen option B as our 
method	for	calculating	the	pay	ratio	for	2021,	consistent	with	the	methodology	for	gender	pay	reporting.	The	total	remuneration	figures	for	the	UK	
employees are based on salaries at 1 December 2021. Bonus amounts for 2021 are not able to be determined for some eligible employees until after 
publication of this report, and therefore it is not possible to determine the exact 2021 total remuneration for all UK employees as is required for option A 
within this timescale. For completeness and transparency, we have included the pay ratios based on the option A method for previous years and we will 
also retrospectively disclose the pay ratio for 2021 based on the option A method in the 2022 report. We do not believe that this will result in pay ratio 
figures	that	are	materially	different	to	the	2021	figures	disclosed	above.

Gender pay gap report
Our 2021 gender pay gap report is 
available on our group website. See: 
group.legalandgeneral.com/reports

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Percentage change in directors’ 2021 remuneration compared with all UK employees
As required by the Companies (Directors’ Remuneration Policy and Directors’ Remuneration Report) Regulations 2019, the analysis covers all executive 
directors and non-executive directors.

Executive directors

Sir Nigel Wilson

Jeff Davies

Chairman and Non Executive Directors1

Sir John Kingman

Henrietta Baldock

Nilufer	von	Bismarck	–	appointed	1	May	2021

Philip Broadley

Lesley Knox

George Lewis

Ric Lewis

Toby Strauss

Julia Wilson

Average for UK employees

Year ended 31 December 2021

Year ended 31 December 2020

Base pay/ fees 
(% change)

Benefits 
(% change)

AVP 
(% change)

Base pay/ fees 
(% change)

Benefits 
(% change)

AVP 
(% change)

0.0%

0.0%

4.2%

0.8%

n/a

28.7%

2.8%

11.0%

7.8%

5.0%

4.8%

2.4%

3.3%

0.7%

301.6%

282.2%

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

2.4%

19.6%

3.4%

6.6%

3.3%

4.5%

n/a

3.6%

1.9%

4.9%

n/a

0.0%

3.6%

3.5%

3.4%

6.3%

(73.2)%

(72.1)%

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

3.5%

2.7%

1.	

	The	increase	in	fees	for	non-executive	directors	of	the	Company	reflects	the	changes	in	the	fee	structure	in	relation	to	chairing	a	committee	and	membership	of	a	committee	as	well	
as changes to the membership of the committees. The base fee for non-executive directors has not changed since 2019.

As with prior years the whole UK employee population has been selected as the comparator group. This group was chosen because it includes a wider 
cross	section	of	the	group’s	employees.	The	increase	in	benefits	for	the	employee	comparator	group	relates	to	the	impact	of	base	pay	increases.

Relative importance of spend on pay
The chart opposite shows the relative importance of expenditure on pay 
compared	to	share	dividends,	adjusted	operating	profit	and	tax	for	the	
year.	Adjusted	operating	profit	has	been	shown	because	it	is	a	key	
performance indicator of the business. No share buybacks were made 
in 2020 or 2021.

(£m)

2,500

2,250

2,000

1,750

1,500

1,250

1,000

750

500

250

0

2% increase

1% increase

3% increase

105% increase

Share dividends

Operating profit

Tax

Expenditure on pay

2020

2021

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Remuneration Committee
The table below shows the members and attendees of the Remuneration Committee during 2021.

Committee members, attendees and advice
Meetings in 2021
During	2021,	the	Committee	met	five	times	and	in	addition	had	ongoing	dialogue	via	email	and	other	telecommunications.	An	outline	of	the	Committee	
undertakings in each quarter during 2021 is shown in the table below. During 2021 the Remuneration Committee comprised the following non-executive 
directors:

Year

Lesley Knox

Henrietta Baldock

Philip Broadley

George Lewis (from 7 October 2021)

Ric Lewis

Committee undertakings

Number of Remuneration 
Committee meetings  
attended during 2021

5/5

5/5

5/5

1/1

5/5

Quarter

First

Governance

Performance

Remuneration policy

Regulatory

•  Reviewed	findings	of	the	

independent Board evaluation

•  Reviewed	findings	of	the	CRO	
report and group-wide culture 
review.

•  Approved the 2020/21 annual 
pay review and executive pay 
awards.

•  Approved vesting of the 2018 
PSP, LGIM and CALA LTIPs.

•  Approved the 2021 AVP 
performance measures.
•  Approved 2021 PSP awards.
•  Approved the 2021 ShareSave 

invitation.

Third

•  Reviewed outcomes of AGM.

•  Financial update and indicative 

•  Approved pension plan 

variable pay update for 
executive teams.

arrangements for LGIM Japan.

•  Reviewed proposals for new 

•  Debated adjustments to 2021 

business unit LTIP.

AVP targets

Fourth

•  Reviewed and approved 

•  Reviewed the base pay increase 

•  Reviewed AVP and PSP 

Committee terms of reference.

•  Reviewed report on the 

budget proposals for 2022. 
•  Considered incentive out-turns 

performance measures and 
targets for 2022.

activities of the Group Reward 
Steering Committee in 2021.

in respect of 2021.

•  Reviewed	findings	of	internal	

audit of remuneration.
•  Reviewed Code staff lists.
•  Approved remuneration policy 
statements for FCA and PRA.
•  Reviewed IFPR requirements 
and impact on remuneration.

At the invitation of the Remuneration Committee, the Group Chairman attends Committee meetings. Where appropriate, the Group Chief Executive, the 
Group	HR	Director,	Group	Reward	Director,	Head	of	Executive	Compensation,	Director	of	Group	Finance	and	Group	Chief	Risk	Officer	also	attend	
meetings. No person is present during any discussion relating to that person’s own remuneration.

At the invitation of the Remuneration Committee, a representative from PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) also attends Committee meetings. During 2021, 
PwC	principally	advised	the	Committee	on	external	developments	affecting	remuneration	as	well	as	specific	matters	raised	by	the	Remuneration	
Committee.	PwC	were	appointed	by	the	Committee.	The	Committee	reflects	on	the	quality	of	advice	provided	and	whether	it	properly	addresses	the	
issues	under	consideration	as	part	of	its	normal	deliberations.	The	Committee	is	satisfied	that	the	advice	received	from	the	PwC	engagement	team	is	
objective and independent. PwC are signatories to the Remuneration Consultants’ Group Code of Conduct in relation to executive remuneration consulting 
in the UK. The total fees paid to PwC in relation to Remuneration Committee work during 2021 were £131,650 (excluding VAT). While fee estimates are 
required for bespoke pieces of work, fees are generally charged based on time with hourly rates in line with the level of expertise and seniority of the 
adviser concerned. During the year, PwC also provided the Company with HR consulting services including advice to management on regulatory aspects 
of reward, as well as other professional services including tax, consulting, accounting regulatory compliance, and other advice to the group. 

Annual report on remuneration

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Annual report on remuneration 
continued

Terms of reference
The Committee’s terms of reference are available on the Company’s website. The remit of the Committee includes the remuneration strategy and policy 
framework for the group as well as for the executive directors.

The Committee particularly focuses on:

•  Determining the individual remuneration for executive directors and for other designated individuals or for those who are discharging a head of control 

function role.

•  Undertaking direct oversight on the remuneration of other high earners in the group.
•  Oversight of the remuneration of Code staff and employees in the control and oversight functions.
•  Oversight of remuneration policies and structures for all employees.

Considering risk
The Reward Steering Committee (RSC) and the Group Regulatory Risk and Compliance Function make a key contribution to the process of designing 
reward	structures	and	evaluating	whether	achievement	of	objectives	and	any	payment	from	plans	have	taken	into	account	the	overall	risk	profile	of	the	
group.

Reward Steering Committee (RSC)
Reporting to the Remuneration Committee, the RSC helps set the framework within which incentive arrangements are normally reviewed and 
implemented, with a view to supporting business strategy, whilst acting within the group’s risk appetite. The members of the RSC include the Group HR 
Director,	Group	Chief	Risk	Officer,	Group	Conduct	Risk	Director,	Regulatory	Risk	Director,	LGIM	Chief	Compliance	Officer,	the	Director	of	Group	Finance,	
the Group Reward Director and the Head of Executive Compensation.

Where a business unit tables a proposal for consideration, the relevant business manager is required to attend the RSC meeting to explain the 
background and to answer any questions from the RSC.

Group Regulatory Risk and Compliance Function
The Remuneration Committee also works closely with the Group Regulatory Risk and Compliance Function with respect to remuneration proposals.

In particular, the function reports to the Committee on an annual basis on whether any risks have been taken outside of pre-agreed parameters, whether 
there have been regulatory breaches, or they are aware of any other considerations that may lead the Committee to consider whether it should impact 
payments to employees (including in particular the executive directors and Code staff).

The	Group	Chief	Risk	Officer	also	specifically	looks	at	the	overall	risk	profile	of	the	group	and	whether	executive	directors	have	achieved	objectives	within	
the group’s accepted risk appetite, and the CRO also reviews the executive directors’ objectives for the forthcoming year to ensure they are in line with the 
risk parameters.

Since	the	implementation	of	a	new	Solvency	II	remuneration	policy	in	2016,	the	scope	of	the	Group	Chief	Risk	Officer’s	report	has	been	extended	
to consider whether there are any risk considerations which may warrant adjustments to the overall level of corporate annual variable pay awards.

Engagement with key stakeholders
The Committee seeks to maintain an active and productive dialogue with investors on developments in the remuneration aspects of corporate 
governance and any changes to the group’s executive pay arrangements. During 2019, we reviewed our approach to remuneration in the context of 
future business strategy, updated investor guidelines and evolving best practice, and sought feedback from shareholders and representative bodies. 
The responses that we received helped shape our thinking with respect to the new remuneration policy which was approved by shareholders at the 2020 
AGM in May 2020.

During 2022 the Committee will closely examine our remuneration principles and policies to ensure they remain appropriate in the context of future 
business strategy, updated investor guidelines and evolving best practice and will consult with the group’s largest shareholders on any proposed 
changes, prior to presenting the remuneration policy for shareholder approval at the 2023 AGM.

We engaged regularly with our workforce throughout 2021, including via our workforce representative bodies Unite (the trade union) and our 
Management Consultative Forum, on a number of topics including pay and propose to continue this dialogue in 2022, including in relation to our new 
remuneration policy. 

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Governance

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Statement of voting at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2021
The table below shows the voting outcomes on the directors’ remuneration policy at the 2020 AGM in May 2020 and the directors’ remuneration report 
at the last AGM in May 2021.

Item

Remuneration policy

Remuneration report

For

95.71%

4,089,839,555

97.17%

3,858,805,163

Against

4.29%

197,291,047

2.83%

112,466,802

Abstain number

19,465,659

510,910

Dilution limits
The company’s share plans operate within the Investment Association’s dilution limit of 5% of issued capital in 10 years for executive schemes, and all 
its plans will operate within the limit of 10% of issued capital in 10 years for all schemes.

As at 31 December 2021, the company had 4.92% of share capital available under the 5% in 10 years limit and 9.60% of share capital under the 10% 
in 10 years limit.

As	at	31	December	2021,	40,331,837	shares	were	held	by	the	Employee	Benefit	Trust	in	respect	of	outstanding	awards	of	71,133,543	shares	for	the	PSP	
and SBP.

Other information relating to directors’ remuneration
External appointments
During 2021 the executive directors held no external appointments.

Any external appointments are subject to annual agreement by the Board and must not be with competing companies. Fees may be retained by the 
individual subject to the Board’s agreement.

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117

118

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Financial statements

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Right 
first time

Throughout 2021, our protection team 
championed the customer, using digital 
innovation and education to make sure that 
however the customer chooses to interact with 
us,	we	get	it	right	first	time.	This	has	involved	
expanding our capabilities when our customers 
choose to interact online; strengthening the 
telephony experience when customers call us; 
and improving advisor support to enable a 
quicker process. We saw 50% fewer customers 
failed	to	find	the	right	customer	service	
consultant	first	time;	we	are	streamlining	the	
customer journey.

We are 
streamlining the 
customer journey.”

Natasha Davies,
Retail Customer 
Services Consultant

Financial 
statements

Group	consolidated	financial	statements	
Primary statements and performance 
Balance sheet management 
Additional	financial	information	
Company	financial	statements	

120
130
148
197
226

Financial statements

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119

Group consolidated financial statements

Consolidated financial statements
The group consolidated financial statements are divided into three sections: 

•  The Primary statements and performance section, which includes the group primary statements and other notes which we believe are integral 

to	understanding	our	financial	performance.	

•  The Balance sheet management	section,	which	provides	further	details	on	our	financial	position	and	approach	to	risk	management.	
•  The Additional financial information section, which includes disclosures required to be compliant with accounting standards or the Companies Act. 

We	view	this	information	as	important,	but	less	significant	in	understanding	our	business	and	performance.	

Additional financial information
28.  Segmental analysis 
29.  Investment return 
30.  Tax 
31.  Auditor’s remuneration 
32.  Employee information 
33.  Share-based payments 
34.  Share capital, share premium and  
employee scheme treasury shares 
35.  Restricted Tier 1 convertible notes 
36.  Non-controlling interests 
37.  Other liabilities 
38.  Reconciliation of assets under management 

to Consolidated Balance Sheet 

39.  Related party transactions 
40.  Contingent liabilities, guarantees  

and indemnities 

41.  Commitments 
42.  Subsidiaries 
43.  Associates and joint ventures 
44.  Interests in structured entities 

Company financial statements 

197
201
202
206
206
207

209
210
210
210

210
211

211
212
212
222
224

226

Contents

Group consolidated financial statements 
Independent auditor’s report to the members
of	Legal	&	General	Group	Plc		

Primary statements and performance 
Consolidated Income Statement 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 
Consolidated Balance Sheet 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 
1.  Basis of preparation 
2.  Supplementary adjusted operating  

profit	information	

3.  Other expenses 
4.  Dividends 
5.  Earnings per share 

121

130
131
132
133
135
136

142
146
146
147

IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’ deferral 

Balance sheet management
148
6.  Principal products 
150
7.  Asset risk 
153
8.  Assets analysis 
9.  Other intangible assets 
154
10.  Financial investments and investment property  156
11. 
164
165
12.  Derivative assets and liabilities 
13.  Receivables and other assets 
168
169
14.  Cash and cash equivalents 
169
15.  Market risk 
16.  Credit risk 
172
175
17. 
18.  Long-term insurance valuation assumptions 
176
178
IFRS sensitivity analysis 
19. 
179
20.  Insurance contract liabilities 
181
21.  Investment contract liabilities 
182
22.  Borrowings 
187
23.  Provisions 
192
24.  Payables	and	other	financial	liabilities	
193
25.  Leases 
194
26.  Management of capital resources 
196
27.  Disposals 

Insurance risk 

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Financial statements

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Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Independent auditor’s report to the members of Legal & General Group Plc 
1 Our opinion is unmodified 
We	have	audited	the	financial	statements	of	Legal	&	General	Group	Plc	(“the	company”)	for	the	year	ended	31	December	2021	which	comprise	the	
Consolidated Income Statement, Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Balance Sheet, Consolidated Statement of Changes 
in Equity, Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, Company Balance Sheet, Company Statement of Changes in Equity and the related notes, including the 
accounting policies in Note 1.

In our opinion:

• 

• 
• 

• 

the	financial	statements	give	a	true	and	fair	view	of	the	state	of	the	group’s	and	of	the	parent	company’s	affairs	as	at	31	December	2021	and	of	the	
group’s	profit	for	the	year	then	ended;	
the	group	financial	statements	have	been	properly	prepared	in	accordance	with	UK-adopted	international	accounting	standards;
the	parent	company	financial	statements	have	been	properly	prepared	in	accordance	with	UK	accounting	standards,	including	FRS	101	Reduced 
Disclosure Framework; and 
the	financial	statements	have	been	prepared	in	accordance	with	the	requirements	of	the	Companies	Act	2006.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable law. Our responsibilities are described 
below.	We	believe	that	the	audit	evidence	we	have	obtained	is	a	sufficient	and	appropriate	basis	for	our	opinion.	Our	audit	opinion	is	consistent	with	our	
report to the Audit Committee.

We	were	first	appointed	as	auditor	by	the	shareholders	on	17	May	2018.	The	period	of	total	uninterrupted	engagement	is	for	the	four	financial	years	
ended	31	December	2021.	We	have	fulfilled	our	ethical	responsibilities	under,	and	we	remain	independent	of	the	group	in	accordance	with,	UK	ethical	
requirements including the FRC Ethical Standard as applied to listed public interest entities. No non-audit services prohibited by that standard 
were provided. 

Overview

Materiality: group	financial	
statements as a whole

£107.0 million (2020: £108.0 million)
4.73%	(2020:	4.95%)	of	normalised	profit	before	tax	from	continuing	operations	

Coverage

98.9%	(2020:	92.5%)	of	group	profit	before	tax

Key audit matters

vs 2020

Recurring risks

Valuation of UK annuity policyholder liabilities

Valuation of hard to value (Level 3) investments

Parent company risk: Recoverability of parent company’s investment in subsidiaries

Group	consolidated	financial	statements

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Group consolidated financial statements continued

Independent auditor’s report to the members of Legal & General Group Plc continued
2 Key audit matters: our assessment of risks of material misstatement
Key	audit	matters	are	those	matters	that,	in	our	professional	judgement,	were	of	most	significance	in	the	audit	of	the	financial	statements	and	include	
the	most	significant	assessed	risks	of	material	misstatement	(whether	or	not	due	to	fraud)	identified	by	us,	including	those	which	had	the	greatest	effect	
on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. We summarise below the key 
audit	matters	(unchanged	from	2020),	in	decreasing	order	of	audit	significance,	in	arriving	at	our	audit	opinion	above,	together	with	our	key	audit	procedures	
to address those matters and, as required for public interest entities, our results from those procedures. These matters were addressed, and our results 
are	based	on	procedures	undertaken,	in	the	context	of,	and	solely	for	the	purpose	of,	our	audit	of	the	financial	statements	as	a	whole,	and	in	forming	our	
opinion thereon, and consequently are incidental to that opinion, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. 

Valuation of UK annuity policyholder liabilities 

UK annuity policyholder liabilities included within non-participating insurance contract liabilities of £89,755 million; (2020: £88,958 million) 

Refer	to	page	89	(Audit	Committee	Report),	page	140	(accounting	policy)	and	page	179	(financial	disclosures).	

The risk

Subjective valuation:
The valuation of the UK annuity liabilities is an inherently subjective area, requiring 
management judgement in the setting of key assumptions. The longevity, expense 
and credit risk assumptions involve the greatest level of subjectivity. A small change 
in	these	assumptions	can	have	a	significant	impact	on	the	liabilities.	We	consider	
the risk remains increased in the current year due to the higher degree of estimation 
uncertainty resulting from changes in demographic and economic conditions 
caused by the Coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19). 

Longevity assumptions
Longevity assumptions have two main components which include mortality base 
assumptions and the rate of mortality improvements. Changing trends in longevity 
and emerging medical trends means that there is a high level of uncertainty in the 
assumptions. This uncertainty remains heightened in the current year due to the 
potential longer-term impacts of Covid-19 on trends in longevity. There is also a 
high degree of reliance on Continuous Mortality Investigations (‘CMI’) models, and 
convergence across the industry on its parameterisation. Hence there is a risk that 
other mortality and health data sources are not appropriately considered under the 
assumption setting methodology.

Credit assumptions
The valuation discount rate (Valuation Interest Rate, ‘VIR’) is derived from the yield 
on the assets backing the annuity liabilities. In setting the VIR, an explicit allowance 
for	credit	risk	is	deducted	from	the	yield	on	debt	and	other	fixed	income	securities.	

The	assumptions	surrounding	this	deduction	require	significant	judgement	and	
there is a risk that changes in investment yields, market spreads, current actual 
default	experience	and	anticipated	trends	are	not	appropriately	reflected.	

Expense assumptions
Management judgement is required in setting the maintenance expense 
assumption which is based on the directors’ long-term view of the expected future 
costs of administering the underlying policies. 

Data capture:
There is a risk that incomplete and inaccurate data is used in the calculation of 
liabilities resulting from inaccurate transfer or conversion of aggregate data from 
the	policy	administration	systems	into	model	point	files	used	to	value	the	liabilities	
in the actuarial models. In addition there is a risk that incomplete or inaccurate asset 
data is used to calculate the default adjustment applied to the VIR. 

Calculation error:
The group uses actuarial models to calculate policyholder liabilities. There is a risk 
that unauthorised or erroneous changes to the models may occur. 

Estimation uncertainty:
The effect of these matters is that, as part of our risk assessment, we determined 
that the valuation of insurance contract liabilities has a high degree of estimation 
uncertainty, with a potential range of reasonable outcomes greater than our 
materiality	for	the	financial	statements	as	a	whole,	and	possibly	many	times	that	
amount.	The	financial	statements	disclose	the	sensitivities	(Note	19)	estimated	
by the group. 

Our response

Our procedures included: 

 – Control design and operation: testing of reconciliation controls to assess 

completeness	of	data	flows	from	policy	administration	systems	to	the	actuarial	
valuation models; 

 – Test of detail: testing the completeness of data used in the valuation of annuity 
liabilities by reconciling the data from the policy administration system to the 
data used in the actuarial models;

 – Test of detail: By utilising data and analytics procedures, testing the accuracy of 
the historical data input into the actuarial valuation model by comparing the data 
used for reporting as at 31 December 2021 to the data used for reporting as at 
31 December 2020 in relation to policies that were still in force at that time;
 – Test of detail: Tracing a sample of new business policyholder data inputs into 

the actuarial valuation model to the underlying policy documents; 

 – Test of detail: Reconciling the completeness and accuracy of the assets used in 
the calculation of the VIR to the assets used to back the insurance liabilities; and
 – Test of detail: For a sample of assets, validating the accuracy of the asset data 
used	to	project	the	cash	flows	used	in	the	calculation	of	the	VIR	and,	with	the	
assistance	of	our	valuation	specialists,	re-projecting	these	cash	flows.

We used our own actuarial specialists to assist us in performing our procedures in 
this area, including: 

 – Methodology choice: assessing the appropriateness of the methodology for 
selecting assumptions by applying our understanding of developments in the 
business and expectations derived from market experience, including 
consideration of the effects of Covid-19 on policyholder mortality and credit risk. 
For longevity assumptions, this includes consideration of the cause of death 
modelling performed by the group and other non-CMI sources alongside the CMI 
modelling used across the industry. 

 – Benchmarking assumptions: assessing mortality improvement assumptions 
against industry data on expected future mortality rate improvements and 
industry historic mortality improvement rates and assessing the appropriateness 
of the credit risk assumptions by comparing to industry practice and our 
expectations derived from market experience. 

 – Historical comparisons: evaluating the mortality base assumptions used in the 
valuation of the annuity liabilities by comparing to the group’s historic mortality 
experience; assessing the credit default assumptions by comparing to the 
historical performance of the asset portfolio; and assessing whether the expense 
assumptions	reflect	the	expected	future	costs	of	administering	the	underlying	
policies by analysing the allocations of the forecast 2022 costs to maintenance 
expenses, with reference to historical allocations and planned actions. 

 – Test of detail: testing that changes to the actuarial model from the prior year 

have been appropriately approved within the group; and evaluating the 
appropriateness	of	the	financial	impact	of	the	changes	made	to	the	model	during	
the year. 

 – Assessing transparency: considering whether the disclosures in relation to the 
assumptions used in the calculation of valuation of UK annuity policyholder 
liabilities are compliant with the relevant accounting requirements and 
appropriately represent the sensitivities of these assumptions to alternative 
scenarios and inputs. 

Our results 

 – We found the resulting estimate of the valuation of UK annuity policyholder 

liabilities within non-participating insurance contract liabilities to be acceptable 
(2020 result: acceptable).

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Other information

Valuation of hard to value (Level 3) investments

Lifetime mortgages of £6,857m (2020: £6,036m), private credit portfolios of £16,304m (2020: £14,357m), investment property of £10,150m (2020: £8,475m) and 
income strips of £1,626m (2020: £1,449m). 

Refer	to	page	89	(Audit	Committee	Report),	page	140	(accounting	policy)	and	page	161	(financial	disclosures).	

The risk

Subjective valuation:
6.7%	(2020:	6.0%)	of	the	investment	portfolio	is	classified	as	Level	3	assets,	of	
which we consider the valuation of lifetime mortgages, private credit, investment 
property and income strips involve the greatest level of subjectivity. The 
subjectivity due to Covid-19 on asset valuations remains heightened. However, we 
consider the subjectivity to have decreased from the prior year, driven by actual 
experience	to	date	and	significant	developments	made	in	the	UK	and	US	with	its	
response to Covid-19.

For these positions a reliable third-party price from a recent market transaction is 
not readily available and therefore the application of expert judgement from the 
group in the valuations adopted is required. 

The key assumptions underlying the valuations are: 

 – Lifetime	mortgages:	property	price	at	valuation	date,	property	price	inflation,	
property index volatility, voluntary early redemption rate and the illiquidity 
premium added to the risk-free rate; 

 – Private credit: yields of selected comparator securities and credit ratings derived 

from credit rating models; and

 – Investment property and income strips: estimated rental value and yield of the 

property.

Data capture:
Lifetime mortgages
There is a risk that incomplete data is used in the calculation of lifetime mortgages 
because data does not transfer appropriately from the policyholder system to the 
actuarial models.

Calculation error:
Lifetime mortgages
The group uses a complex actuarial model to calculate the valuation of lifetime 
mortgages. There is a risk that unauthorised or erroneous changes to the model 
may occur. 

Estimation uncertainty
The effect of these matters is that, as part of our risk assessment, we determined 
that the valuation of hard to value (Level 3) investments has a high degree of 
estimation uncertainty, with a potential range of reasonable outcomes greater than 
our	materiality	for	the	financial	statements	as	a	whole,	and	possibly	many	times	
that	amount.	The	financial	statements	(Note	10)	disclose	the	sensitivity	estimated	
by the group. 

Our response

Our procedures included: 

 – Control design and operation: testing of the design, and implementation of key 
controls over the valuation process for the hard to value (Level 3) investments, 
including the testing of operating effectiveness of key controls relating to the 
valuation of private credit assets and lifetime mortgages.

 – Our valuation expertise:

 – using our own valuation specialists to assess the suitability of the valuation 
and credit rating methodologies; to independently revalue a sample of the 
private credit investments and assess the suitability of comparator securities 
utilised in the valuation on a sample basis; 

 – using our own valuation specialists to assess the suitability of the valuation 

methodologies used by the group; and 

 – using our own actuarial specialists to evaluate the appropriateness of the 
assumptions used in the valuation of lifetime mortgages with reference to 
market data and industry benchmarks. 

 – Assessing valuers’ credentials: assessing the objectivity, professional 

qualifications	and	competence	of	external	valuers	of	private	credit	and	investment	
property investments used by the group and reconciling the valuations provided 
by	them	to	the	valuations	recorded	in	the	financial	statements.	
 – Methodology choice: assessing the appropriateness of the pricing 

methodologies for private credit and investment property investments with 
reference to relevant accounting standards and the group’s own valuation 
guidelines as well as industry practice.

 – Benchmarking assumptions: evaluating and challenging the key assumptions 

upon which the valuations of lifetime mortgages and investment property 
investments were based, including consideration of the impacts of the Covid-19 
pandemic, by making a comparison to our own understanding of the market, 
comparable evidence relied on by the valuers used by the group and to industry 
benchmarks. 
 – Test of detail: 

 – Testing that changes to the actuarial model for lifetime mortgages from the 
prior year have been appropriately approved within the group; and evaluating 
the	appropriateness	of	the	financial	impact	of	the	changes	made	to	the	model	
during the year; and 

 – Testing the completeness of data used in the valuation of lifetime mortgages 
by reconciling the data from the policy administration system to the data used 
in the actuarial valuation models. 

 – Assessing transparency: assessing whether the disclosures in relation to the 
valuation of hard to value (Level 3) investments are compliant with the relevant 
financial	reporting	requirements	and	appropriately	present	the	sensitivities	of	the	
valuations to alternative assumptions. 

Our results 

 – We found the resulting estimate of the valuation of hard to value (Level 3) 

investments to be acceptable (2020 result: acceptable).

Parent company risk: Recoverability of parent company’s investment in subsidiaries

(£9,522 million; 2020: £9,204 million) 

Refer	to	page	228	(accounting	policy)	and	page	231	(financial	disclosures).	

The risk

Our response

Low risk, high value:
The carrying amount of the parent company’s investments in subsidiaries 
represents 78.0% (2020: 74.2%) of the parent company’s total assets. Their carrying 
amount	is	not	at	a	high	risk	of	significant	misstatement	or	subject	to	significant	
judgement. However, due to their materiality in the context of the parent company 
financial	statements,	this	is	considered	to	be	the	area	that	had	the	greatest	effect	on	
our overall parent company audit.

We performed the tests below rather than seeking to rely on any of the group’s 
controls because the nature of the balance is such that we would expect to obtain 
audit evidence primarily through the detailed procedures described. 

Our procedures included: 

 – Independent re-performance: comparing the carrying amount of the parent 
company’s	investments,	with	the	subsidiaries’	financial	information	to	identify	
whether their net assets, being an approximation of their minimum recoverable 
amount, were in excess of their carrying amount and assessing whether those 
subsidiaries	have	historically	been	profit-making.	

Our results 

 – We found the parent company’s conclusion that there is no impairment of its 

investment in subsidiaries to be acceptable (2020 result: acceptable).

Group	consolidated	financial	statements

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Group consolidated financial statements continued

Independent auditor’s report to the members of Legal & General Group Plc continued
3 Our application of materiality and an overview of the scope of our audit 
Materiality	for	the	group	financial	statements	as	a	whole	was	set	at	£107.0m	(2020:	£108.0m),	determined	with	reference	to	a	benchmark	of	profit	before	
tax from continuing operations (PBTCO), normalised to exclude this year’s investment and other variances and losses attributable to non-controlling 
interests	as	disclosed	in	Note	2	of	the	financial	statements,	of	which	it	represents	4.73%	(2020:	4.95%).	

Materiality	for	the	parent	company	financial	statements	as	a	whole	was	
set at £28.0m (2020: £29.0m). This is lower than the materiality we would 
otherwise	have	determined	by	reference	to	total	assets	to	reflect	that	the	
parent company is a component of the group, and represents 0.23% of 
the parent company’s total assets (2020: 0.23%). 

PBTCO
(normalised) £2,262m 
(2020: £2,184m)

PBTCO
Materiality

In line with our audit methodology, our procedures on individual account 
balances and disclosures were performed to a lower threshold, 
performance materiality, so as to reduce to an acceptable level the risk 
that individually immaterial misstatements in individual account balances 
add	up	to	a	material	amount	across	the	financial	statements	as	a	whole.	

Performance materiality for the group and parent company was set at 
65%	(2020:	65%)	of	materiality	for	the	financial	statements	as	a	whole,	
which equates to £69.6 million (2020: £70.0 million) and £18.2 million 
(2020: £18.9 million) respectively. 

We applied this percentage in our determination of performance 
materiality	based	on	the	level	of	identified	immaterial	unadjusted	
differences	and	control	deficiencies	noted	during	prior	periods.	

We agreed to report to the Audit Committee any corrected or uncorrected 
identified	misstatements	exceeding	£4.8	million	(2020:	£5.4	million),	in	
addition	to	other	identified	misstatements	that	warranted	reporting	on	
qualitative grounds. 

In addition, we applied materiality of £4.4 billion (2020: £4.2 billion) to 
the	classification	of	unit	linked	assets	and	liabilities	in	the	consolidated	
balance sheet and related notes, determined with reference to a 
benchmark	of	total	unit	linked	financial	investments	and	investment	
property, of which it represents 1.0% (2020: 1.0%). This materiality was 
applied solely for our work on matters for which a misstatement is likely 
only	to	lead	to	a	reclassification	between	line	items	within	assets	and	
liabilities, in accordance with FRC Practice Note 20 The Audit of Insurers 
in the United Kingdom. 

We agreed to report to the Audit Committee any corrected or uncorrected 
classification	misstatements	in	unit	linked	assets	and	liabilities	exceeding	
£197 million (2020: £208 million). 

Of the group’s audit components, we subjected 8 (2020: 7), which are 
comprised of 18 reporting packs (2020: 13), to full scope audits for group 
purposes and 8 (2020: 4), which are comprised of 11 reporting packs 
(2020:	7),	to	specified	risk-focused	audit	procedures	over	financial	
investments,	investment	property,	cash	and	cash	equivalents,	defined	
benefit	obligations,	and	other	expenses.	The	components	for	which	
we	performed	specified	risk-focused	procedures	were	not	individually	
financially	significant	enough	to	require	an	audit	for	group	reporting	
purposes,	but	did	present	specific	individual	risks	that	needed	to	
be addressed. 

Group Materiality
£107.0m 
(2020: £108.0m)

£107.0m (2020: £108.0m)
Whole financial
statements materiality

£69.6m (2020: £70.0m)
Whole financial statements 
performance materiality 

£70.0m (2019: £70.0m)
Range of materiality at 
16 components (£6.0m-£70.0m) 
(2020: £5.4m-£70.0m) 

£4.8m (2020: £5.4m)
Misstatements reported to the 
Audit Committee

97.3%

(2020: 95.7%)

98.9%

(2020: 91.2%)

Group revenue

Group profit before tax

86.7%

(2020: 94.9%)

Group total assets

Full scope for group audit purposes 2021
Specified risk-focused audit procedures 2021
Full scope for group audit purposes 2020
Specified risk-focused audit procedures 2020
Residual components

The components within the scope of our work accounted for the percentages above. 

For	the	residual	components,	we	performed	analysis	at	an	aggregated	group	level	to	re-examine	our	assessment	that	there	were	no	significant	risks	
of	material	misstatement	within	these.	The	group	team	performed	procedures	on	the	items	excluded	from	normalised	profit	before	tax	from	
continuing operations. 

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The	group	team	instructed	component	auditors	as	to	the	significant	areas	to	be	covered,	including	the	relevant	risks	detailed	above	and	the	information	
to be reported back. The group team approved the component materialities, which ranged from £6.0 million to £70.0 million (2020: £5.4 million to 
£70.0	million),	having	regard	to	the	mix	of	size	and	risk	profile	of	the	group	across	the	components.	

Whilst the ability to perform site visits was limited in 2021 due to the restrictions imposed as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, the group team 
held video and telephone conference meetings with 10 (2020: 11) component locations in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and the United States 
(2020:	United	Kingdom,	Republic	of	Ireland	and	the	United	States),	to	assess	the	audit	risk	and	strategy.	At	these	meetings,	the	findings	reported	to	the	
group team were discussed in more detail, and any further work required by the group team was then performed by the component auditor. 

The work on 10 of the 16 components (2020: 9 of the 11 components) was performed by component auditors and the rest, including the audit of the 
parent company, was performed by the group team. 

We	were	able	to	rely	upon	the	group’s	internal	control	over	financial	reporting	in	several	areas	of	our	audit,	where	our	controls	testing	supported	this	
approach, which enabled us to reduce the scope of our substantive audit work; in the other areas the scope of the audit work performed was 
fully substantive. 

4 The impact of climate change on our audit
In	planning	our	audit,	we	have	considered	the	potential	impact	of	climate	change	on	the	group’s	business	and	its	financial	statements.	

Climate	change,	and	the	associated	initiatives	and	commitments,	impact	the	group	in	a	variety	of	ways	including	the	potential	financial	risks	which	could	
arise from the associated physical and transitional risks and the greater narrative and disclosure of the impact of climate change risk that is incorporated 
into the annual report. The group’s exposure to climate change is primarily through climate related transition risks which potentially impact the carrying 
amount of investments and potential reputational risk associated with the group’s delivery of its climate related commitments. The group has set out its 
commitments under the Paris objective to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 in its Strategic Report on page 33. 

As a part of our audit we have made enquiries of management to understand the extent of the potential impact of climate change risk on the group’s 
financial	statements,	including	how	climate	is	considered	as	part	of	the	investment	making	and	monitoring	processes,	and	the	group’s	preparedness	
for	this.	We	have	performed	a	risk	assessment	of	how	the	impact	of	climate	change	may	affect	the	financial	statements	and	our	audit.	This	included	
evaluating the impact of management’s stress test scenarios and holding discussions with our own climate change professionals to challenge our 
risk assessment. 

On the basis of the risk assessment procedures performed above, and taking into account the nature of the group’s assets and basis of the related 
valuations,	we	concluded	that,	while	climate	change	may	pose	a	risk	to	the	determination	of	asset	values,	the	risk	was	not	significant	in	the	current	year.	
As	a	result,	there	was	no	significant	impact	from	climate	change	on	our	key	audit	matters.

We have also read the disclosures of climate related information in the Strategic Report as set out on pages 43 to 45 and considered consistency with 
the	financial	statements	and	our	audit	knowledge.	We	have	not	been	engaged	to	provide	assurance	over	the	accuracy	of	these	disclosures.	

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Group consolidated financial statements continued

Independent auditor’s report to the members of Legal & General Group Plc continued
5 Going concern 
The	directors	have	prepared	the	financial	statements	on	the	going	concern	basis	as	they	do	not	intend	to	liquidate	the	group	or	the	parent	company	or	
to	cease	their	operations,	and	as	they	have	concluded	that	the	group’s	and	the	parent	company’s	financial	position	means	that	this	is	realistic.	They	have	
also	concluded	that	there	are	no	material	uncertainties	that	could	have	cast	significant	doubt	over	their	ability	to	continue	as	a	going	concern	for	at	least	
a	year	from	the	date	of	approval	of	the	financial	statements	(“the	going	concern	period”).	

We used our knowledge of the group and parent company, its industry, and the general economic environment in which it operates to identify the 
inherent	risks	to	its	business	model	and	analysed	how	those	risks	might	affect	the	group	and	parent	company’s	financial	resources	or	ability	to	continue	
operations over the going concern period. The risks that were considered most likely to adversely affect the group’s and parent company’s available 
financial	resources	over	this	period	were:	

•  Adverse	impacts	arising	from	fluctuations	or	negative	trends	in	the	economic	environment	including,	but	not	limited	to,	wider	credit	spreads	and	

defaults which affect regulatory capital solvency coverage ratios, liquidity ratios, the valuations of the group’s investments and valuation of 
policyholder liabilities; and 

•  Severely adverse policyholder lapse or claims experience. 

We also considered less predictable but realistic second order impacts, such as the failure of counterparties who have transactions with the group 
(such	as	banks	and	reinsurers),	which	could	result	in	a	rapid	reduction	of	available	financial	resources.	

We considered whether these risks could plausibly affect the liquidity in the going concern period by comparing severe, but plausible downside scenarios 
that	could	arise	from	these	risks	individually	and	collectively	against	the	level	of	available	financial	resources	by	the	group’s	financial	forecasts.	

We	considered	whether	the	going	concern	disclosure	in	Note	1	(ii)	to	the	financial	statements	gives	a	full	and	accurate	description	of	the	directors’	
assessment	of	going	concern,	including	the	identified	risks	and	related	sensitivities.	

Our conclusions based on this work: 

•  we	consider	that	the	directors’	use	of	the	going	concern	basis	of	accounting	in	the	preparation	of	the	financial	statements	is	appropriate;	
•  we	have	not	identified,	and	concur	with	the	directors’	assessment	that	there	is	not,	a	material	uncertainty	related	to	events	or	conditions	that,	

individually	or	collectively,	may	cast	significant	doubt	on	the	group’s	or	parent	company’s	ability	to	continue	as	a	going	concern	for	the	going	concern	
period; 

•  we	have	nothing	material	to	add	or	draw	attention	to	in	relation	to	the	directors’	statement	in	Note	1	(ii)	to	the	financial	statements	on	the	use	of	the	
going	concern	basis	of	accounting	with	no	material	uncertainties	that	may	cast	significant	doubt	over	the	group	and	parent	company’s	use	of	that	
basis for the going concern period, and we found the going concern disclosure in Note 1 (ii) to be acceptable; and 
the	related	statement	under	the	Listing	Rules	set	out	on	page	237	is	materially	consistent	with	the	financial	statements	and	our	audit	knowledge.	

• 

However, as we cannot predict all future events or conditions and as subsequent events may result in outcomes that are inconsistent with judgements 
that were reasonable at the time they were made, the above conclusions are not a guarantee that the group or the parent company will continue 
in operation. 

6 Fraud and breaches of laws and regulations – ability to detect 
Identifying and responding to risks of material misstatement due to fraud 
To identify risks of material misstatement due to fraud (“fraud risks”) we assessed events or conditions that could indicate an incentive or pressure to 
commit fraud or provide an opportunity to commit fraud. Our risk assessment procedures included: 

•  enquiring of directors, the Audit Committee, internal audit, Group Financial Crime and inspection of policy documentation as to the group’s high-level 
policies and procedures to prevent and detect fraud, including the internal audit function, and the group’s channel for “whistleblowing”, as well as 
whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud; 
reading Board, Audit Committee and Risk Committee meeting minutes; 

• 
•  considering remuneration incentive schemes and performance targets for management; and 
•  consulting with professionals with forensic knowledge to assist us in identifying fraud risks based on discussions of the circumstances of the group. 

We	communicated	identified	fraud	risks	throughout	the	audit	team	and	remained	alert	to	any	indications	of	fraud	throughout	the	audit.	This	included	
communication	from	the	group	audit	team	to	component	audit	teams	of	relevant	fraud	risks	identified	at	the	group	level	and	request	to	full	scope	
component audit teams to report to the group audit team any instances of fraud that could give rise to a material misstatement at group. 

As	required	by	auditing	standards	and	taking	into	account	possible	pressures	to	meet	profit	targets,	we	perform	procedures	to	address	the	risk	of	
management override of controls, in particular the risk that group and component management may be in a position to make inappropriate accounting 
entries and the risk of bias in accounting estimates and judgements such as the valuation of UK annuity policyholder liabilities and the valuation of hard 
to value (Level 3) investments. 

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On this audit we do not believe there is a fraud risk related to revenue recognition because there is limited management judgement involved in the 
recognition of and measurement of the transaction price for all material revenue streams. 

We	also	identified	fraud	risks	related	to	the	valuation	of	UK	annuity	policyholder	liabilities	and	valuation	of	hard	to	value	(Level	3)	investments	in	response	
to	possible	pressures	to	meet	profit	targets.	

Further detail in respect of the valuation of UK annuity policyholder liabilities and valuation of hard to value (Level 3) investments is set out in the two key 
audit matters disclosures in section 2 of this report. 

We also performed procedures including: 

• 

identifying	journal	entries	to	test	for	full-scope	components,	based	on	risk	criteria	and	comparing	the	identified	entries	to	supporting	documentation.	
These	included,	but	were	not	limited	to,	journals	impacting	cash	balances	that	were	identified	as	unusual	or	unexpected	in	our	risk	assessment	
procedures; 

•  evaluating	the	business	purpose	of	significant	unusual	transactions;	and	
•  assessing	significant	accounting	estimates	for	bias.	

Identifying and responding to risks of material misstatement due to non-compliance with laws and regulations 
We	identified	areas	of	laws	and	regulations	that	could	reasonably	be	expected	to	have	a	material	effect	on	the	financial	statements	from	our	general	
commercial and sector experience, through discussion with the directors and other management (as required by auditing standards), and from 
inspection of the group’s regulatory and legal correspondence and discussed with the directors and other management the policies and procedures 
regarding compliance with laws and regulations. 

As the group is regulated, our assessment of risks involved gaining an understanding of the control environment including the group’s procedures for 
complying with regulatory requirements. 

We	communicated	identified	laws	and	regulations	throughout	our	team	and	remained	alert	to	any	indications	of	non-compliance	throughout	the	audit.	
This	included	communication	from	the	group	audit	team	to	full	scope	component	audit	teams	of	relevant	laws	and	regulations	identified	at	the	group	
level, and a request for full scope component auditors to report to the group team any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations that could 
give rise to a material misstatement at group. 

The	potential	effect	of	these	laws	and	regulations	on	the	financial	statements	varies	considerably.	

Firstly,	the	group	is	subject	to	laws	and	regulations	that	directly	affect	the	financial	statements	including	financial	reporting	legislation	(including	related	
companies	legislation),	distributable	profits	legislation,	taxation	legislation,	and	pension	legislation	and	we	assessed	the	extent	of	compliance	with	these	
laws	and	regulations	as	part	of	our	procedures	on	the	related	financial	statement	items.	

Secondly, the group is subject to many other laws and regulations where the consequences of non-compliance could have a material effect on amounts 
or	disclosures	in	the	financial	statements,	for	instance	through	the	imposition	of	fines	or	litigation	or	the	loss	of	the	group’s	license	to	operate.	We	identified	
the following areas as those most likely to have such an effect: Listing Rules, Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, regulatory capital and liquidity 
requirements	and	certain	aspects	of	company	legislation	recognising	the	financial	and	regulated	nature	of	the	group’s	activities	and	certain	regulated	
subsidiaries. Auditing standards limit the required audit procedures to identify non-compliance with these laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors 
and other management and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any. Therefore, if a breach of operational regulations is not disclosed to 
us or evident from relevant correspondence, an audit will not detect that breach. 

Context of the ability of the audit to detect fraud or breaches of law or regulation 
Owing	to	the	inherent	limitations	of	an	audit,	there	is	an	unavoidable	risk	that	we	may	not	have	detected	some	material	misstatements	in	the	financial	
statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. For example, the further removed 
non-compliance	with	laws	and	regulations	is	from	the	events	and	transactions	reflected	in	the	financial	statements,	the	less	likely	the	inherently	limited	
procedures required by auditing standards would identify it. 

In addition, as with any audit, there remained a higher risk of non-detection of fraud, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, 
misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. Our audit procedures are designed to detect material misstatement. We are not responsible for 
preventing non-compliance or fraud and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations. 

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Group consolidated financial statements continued

Independent auditor’s report to the members of Legal & General Group Plc continued
7 We have nothing to report on the other information in the Annual Report 
The	directors	are	responsible	for	the	other	information	presented	in	the	Annual	Report	together	with	the	financial	statements.	Our	opinion	on	the	financial	
statements does not cover the other information and, accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion or, except as explicitly stated below, any form of 
assurance conclusion thereon. 

Our	responsibility	is	to	read	the	other	information	and,	in	doing	so,	consider	whether,	based	on	our	financial	statements	audit	work,	the	information	
therein	is	materially	misstated	or	inconsistent	with	the	financial	statements	or	our	audit	knowledge.	Based	solely	on	that	work	we	have	not	identified	
material misstatements in the other information. 

Strategic report and directors’ report 
Based solely on our work on the other information: 

•  we	have	not	identified	material	misstatements	in	the	strategic	report	and	the	directors’	report;	
• 
• 

in	our	opinion	the	information	given	in	those	reports	for	the	financial	year	is	consistent	with	the	financial	statements;	and	
in our opinion those reports have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. 

Directors’ Remuneration Report 
In our opinion the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. 

Disclosures of emerging and principal risks and longer-term viability 
We are required to perform procedures to identify whether there is a material inconsistency between the directors’ disclosures in respect of emerging 
and	principal	risks	and	the	viability	statement,	and	the	financial	statements	and	our	audit	knowledge.	

Based on those procedures, we have nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to: 

• 

• 

• 

the	directors’	confirmation	within	the	statement	on	page	56	that	they	have	carried	out	a	robust	assessment	of	the	emerging	and	principal	risks	facing	
the group, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency and liquidity; 
the	Principal	Risks	and	uncertainties	disclosures	describing	these	risks	and	how	emerging	risks	are	identified,	and	explaining	how	they	are	being	
managed and mitigated; and 
the directors’ explanation in the Group Board viability statement of how they have assessed the prospects of the group, over what period they have 
done so and why they considered that period to be appropriate, and their statement as to whether they have a reasonable expectation that the group 
will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period of their assessment, including any related disclosures 
drawing	attention	to	any	necessary	qualifications	or	assumptions.	

We are also required to review the Group Board viability statement, set out on page 55 under the Listing Rules. Based on the above procedures, we have 
concluded	that	the	above	disclosures	are	materially	consistent	with	the	financial	statements	and	our	audit	knowledge.	

Our	work	is	limited	to	assessing	these	matters	in	the	context	of	only	the	knowledge	acquired	during	our	financial	statements	audit.	As	we	cannot	predict	
all future events or conditions and as subsequent events may result in outcomes that are inconsistent with judgements that were reasonable at the time 
they were made, the absence of anything to report on these statements is not a guarantee as to the group’s and parent company’s longer-term viability. 

Corporate governance disclosures 
We are required to perform procedures to identify whether there is a material inconsistency between the directors’ corporate governance disclosures and 
the	financial	statements	and	our	audit	knowledge.	

Based	on	those	procedures,	we	have	concluded	that	each	of	the	following	is	materially	consistent	with	the	financial	statements	and	our	audit	knowledge:	

• 

• 

• 

the	directors’	statement	that	they	consider	that	the	annual	report	and	financial	statements	taken	as	a	whole	is	fair,	balanced	and	understandable,	
and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the group’s position and performance, business model and strategy; 
the	section	of	the	annual	report	describing	the	work	of	the	Audit	Committee,	including	the	significant	issues	that	the	Audit	Committee	considered	
in	relation	to	the	financial	statements,	and	how	these	issues	were	addressed;	and	
the section of the annual report that describes the review of the effectiveness of the group’s risk management and internal control systems. 

We are required to review the part of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the group’s compliance with the provisions of the UK Corporate 
Governance	Code	specified	by	the	Listing	Rules	for	our	review,	and	to	report	to	you	if	a	corporate	governance	statement	has	not	been	prepared	by	the	
company. We have nothing to report in these respects. 

Based solely on our work on the other information described above with respect to the Corporate Governance Statement disclosures about internal 
control	and	risk	management	systems	in	relation	to	financial	reporting	processes	and	about	share	capital	structures:	

•  we	have	not	identified	material	misstatements	therein;	and	
• 
• 

the	information	therein	is	consistent	with	the	financial	statements;	and	
in our opinion, the Corporate Governance Statement has been prepared in accordance with relevant rules of the Disclosure Guidance and 
Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority. 

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8 We have nothing to report on the other matters on which we are required to report by exception 
Under the Companies Act 2006, we are required to report to you if, in our opinion: 

•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not 

• 

visited by us; or 
the	parent	company	financial	statements	and	the	part	of	the	Directors’	Remuneration	Report	to	be	audited	are	not	in	agreement	with	the	accounting	
records and returns; or 

•  certain	disclosures	of	directors’	remuneration	specified	by	law	are	not	made;	or	
•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. 

We have nothing to report in these respects. 

9 Respective responsibilities 
Directors’ responsibilities 
As	explained	more	fully	in	their	statement	set	out	on	pages	236	and	237,	the	directors	are	responsible	for:	the	preparation	of	the	financial	statements	
including	being	satisfied	that	they	give	a	true	and	fair	view;	such	internal	control	as	they	determine	is	necessary	to	enable	the	preparation	of	financial	
statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; assessing the group and parent company’s ability to continue as a 
going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern; and using the going concern basis of accounting unless they either intend to 
liquidate the group or the parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

Auditor’s responsibilities 
Our	objectives	are	to	obtain	reasonable	assurance	about	whether	the	financial	statements	as	a	whole	are	free	from	material	misstatement,	whether	due	
to fraud or error, and to issue our opinion in an auditor’s report. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but does not guarantee that an audit 
conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are 
considered	material	if,	individually	or	in	aggregate,	they	could	reasonably	be	expected	to	influence	the	economic	decisions	of	users	taken	on	the	basis	
of	the	financial	statements.	

A fuller description of our responsibilities is provided on the FRC’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. 

10 The purpose of our audit work and to whom we owe our responsibilities 
This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work 
has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no 
other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company’s 
members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. 

Rees Aronson (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor
Chartered Accountants 
15 Canada Square,
London, E14 5GL 

8 March 2022

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Primary statements and performance

Consolidated Income Statement

For the year ended 31 December 2021

Income

Gross written premiums

Outward reinsurance premiums

Net change in provision for unearned premiums

Net premiums earned

Fees from fund management and investment contracts

Investment return

Other operational income

Total income

Expenses

Claims and change in insurance contract liabilities 

Reinsurance recoveries

Net claims and change in insurance contract liabilities

Change in investment contract liabilities

Acquisition costs

Finance costs

Other expenses

Total expenses

Profit before tax 

Tax expense attributable to policyholder returns

Profit before tax attributable to equity holders

Total tax expense

Tax expense attributable to policyholder returns

Tax expense attributable to equity holders

Profit	after	tax	from	continuing	operations

Profit	after	tax	from	discontinued	operations¹

Profit for the year

Attributable to:

Non-controlling interests

Equity holders 

Dividend distributions to equity holders during the year

Dividend distributions to equity holders proposed after the year end

Total basic earnings per share²

Total diluted earnings per share²

Basic earnings per share derived from continuing operations2

Diluted earnings per share derived from continuing operations2

In 2020, discontinued operations included the results of the Mature Savings division, the sale of which completed on 7 September 2020.

1. 
2.	 All	earnings	per	share	calculations	are	based	on	profit	attributable	to	equity	holders	of	the	company.

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Financial statements

Notes

2021
£m

2020
£m

28

28

29

28

21

22

3

30

30

30

30

28

4

4

5

5

5

5

10,375

(3,446)

42

6,971

959

35,927

1,593

45,450

7,353

(2,968)

4,385

34,206

825

294

3,108

42,818

2,632

(144)

2,488

(589)

144

(445)

2,043

–

2,043

(7)

2,050

1,063

790

p

34.19

32.57

34.19

32.57

12,545

(3,187)

12

9,370

873

39,168

820

50,231

17,768

(3,601)

14,167

31,410

617

305

2,233

48,732

1,499

(69)

1,430

(218)

69

(149)

1,281

290

1,571

(36)

1,607

1,048

754

p

27.00

25.60

22.11

20.98

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the year ended 31 December 2021

Profit for the year

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

Actuarial	remeasurements	on	defined	benefit	pension	schemes

Tax	(expense)/credit	on	actuarial	remeasurements	on	defined	benefit	pension	schemes

Total items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

Exchange differences on translation of overseas operations

Movement in cross-currency hedge

Tax expense on movement in cross-currency hedge

Movement	in	financial	investments	designated	as	available-for-sale

Total items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

Other comprehensive income/(expense) after tax

Total comprehensive income for the year

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to:

Continuing operations

Discontinued operations

Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the year attributable to:

Non-controlling interests

Equity holders

Note

23

2021
£m

2,043

53

(7)

46

(11)

20

(7)

(3)

(1)

45

2,088

2,088

–

2020
£m

1,571

(168)

48

(120)

2

7

(4)

2

7

(113)

1,458

1,168

290

(7)

2,095

(36)

1,494

Primary statements and performance

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

131

Primary statements and performance continued

Consolidated Balance Sheet

As at 31 December 2021

Assets

Goodwill

Other intangible assets

Deferred acquisition costs

Investment in associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method

Property, plant and equipment

Investment property

Financial investments

Reinsurers’ share of contract liabilities

Deferred tax assets

Current tax assets

Receivables and other assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Equity

Share capital

Share premium

Employee scheme treasury shares

Capital redemption and other reserves

Retained earnings

Attributable to owners of the parent

Restricted Tier 1 convertible notes

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Liabilities

Non-participating insurance contract liabilities

Non-participating investment contract liabilities

Core borrowings

Operational borrowings

Provisions 

Deferred tax liabilities

Current tax liabilities

Payables	and	other	financial	liabilities

Other liabilities

Net asset value attributable to unit holders

Total liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

Notes

9

10

10

20,21

30

30

13

14

34

34

34

35

36

20

21

22

22

23

30

30

24

37

2021
£m

68

365

26

375

316

2020
£m

68

329

47

288

274

10,150

8,475

538,374

526,057

7,180

2

670

8,625

16,487

582,638

149

1,012

(99)

196

9,228

10,486

495

(38)

10,943

6,939

5

634

9,429

18,020

570,565

149

1,006

(75)

198

8,224

9,502

495

(31)

9,966

89,825

89,029

372,954

343,543

4,256

932

1,238

251

84

74,264

925

26,966

571,695

582,638

4,558

1,055

1,288

207

61

91,942

756

28,160

560,599

570,565

The	notes	on	pages	136	to	225	form	an	integral	part	of	these	financial	statements.

The	financial	statements	on	pages	130	to	225	were	approved	by	the	board	of	directors	on	8	March	2022	and	were	signed	on	their	behalf	by:

Sir John Kingman
Chairman

Sir Nigel Wilson
Group	Chief	Executive	Officer

Stuart Jeffrey Davies
Group	Chief	Financial	Officer

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Financial statements

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

For the year ended 31 December 2021

As at 1 January 2021

Profit	for	the	year

Exchange differences on translation 
of overseas operations

Net movement in cross-currency hedge

Net	actuarial	remeasurements	on	defined	
benefit	pension	schemes

Net	movement	in	financial	investments	
designated as available-for-sale

Total comprehensive income for the year

Options exercised under share option schemes

Shares purchased

Shares vested

Employee scheme treasury shares:

–	Value	of	employee	services

Share scheme transfers to retained earnings

Dividends

Coupon payable in respect of restricted Tier 1 
convertible notes net of tax relief

Currency translation differences

As at 31 December 2021

Share
capital
£m

149

Share
premium
£m

1,006

Employee
scheme
treasury
shares
£m

(75)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

6

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(34)

10

–

–

–

–

–

Capital
redemption
and other
reserves1
£m

198

–

(11)

13

–

(3)

(1)

–

–

(48)

33

–

–

–

14

Equity
 attributable
to owners
of the 
parent
£m

9,502

2,050

Retained
earnings
£m

8,224

2,050

–

–

46

–

(11)

13

46

(3)

2,096

2,095

–

–

–

–

8

6

(34)

(38)

33

8

(1,063)

(1,063)

(23)

(14)

(23)

–

Restricted
Tier 1
convertible
notes
£m

495

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Non-
controlling
interests
£m

(31)

(7)

–

–

–

–

Total
equity
£m

9,966

2,043

(11)

13

46

(3)

(7)

2,088

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

6

(34)

(38)

33

8

(1,063)

(23)

–

149

1,012

(99)

196

9,228

10,486

495

(38)

10,943

1. 

 Capital redemption and other reserves as at 31 December 2021 include share-based payments £86m, foreign exchange £46m, capital redemption £17m, hedging £48m and available-for-sale 
reserves £(1)m.

Primary statements and performance

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

133

Primary statements and performance continued

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity continued

For the year ended 31 December 2020

As at 1 January 2020

Profit	for	the	year

Exchange differences on translation 
of overseas operations

Net movement in cross-currency hedge

Net	actuarial	remeasurements	on	defined	
benefit	pension	schemes

Net	movement	in	financial	investments	
designated as available-for-sale

Total comprehensive income for the year

Options exercised under share option schemes

Shares purchased

Shares vested

Employee scheme treasury shares:

–	Value	of	employee	services

Share scheme transfers to retained earnings

Dividends

Restricted Tier 1 convertible notes

Coupon payable in respect of restricted Tier 1 
convertible notes net of tax relief

Movement in third party interests

Currency translation differences

As at 31 December 2020

Share
capital
£m

149

Share
premium
£m

1,000

Employee
scheme
treasury
shares
£m

Capital
redemption
and other
reserves¹
£m

(65)

205

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

6

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(23)

13

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

149

1,006

(75)

–

2

3

–

2

7

–

–

(27)

43

–

–

–

–

–

(30)

198

Equity
 attributable
to owners
of the 
parent
£m

Restricted
Tier 1
convertible
notes
£m

Retained
earnings
£m

7,749

1,607

–

–

9,038

1,607

2

3

(120)

(120)

–

1,487

2

1,494

–

–

–

–

12

6

(23)

(14)

43

12

(1,048)

(1,048)

–

(6)

–

30

–

(6)

–

–

Non-
controlling
interests
£m

55

(36)

–

–

–

–

Total
equity
£m

9,093

1,571

2

3

(120)

2

(36)

1,458

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(50)

–

(31)

6

(23)

(14)

43

12

(1,048)

495

(6)

(50)

–

9,966

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

495

–

–

–

8,224

9,502

495

1. 

 Capital redemption and other reserves as at 31 December 2020 include share-based payments £101m, foreign exchange £43m, capital redemption £17m, hedging £35m and available-for-sale 
reserves £2m.

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Financial statements

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

For the year ended 31 December 2021

Cash flows from operating activities

Profit for the year

Adjustments for non cash movements in net profit for the year

Net	gains	on	financial	investments	and	investment	property

Investment income

Interest expense

Tax expense

Other adjustments

Net decrease/(increase) in operational assets

Investments	held	for	trading	or	designated	as	fair	value	through	profit	or	loss

Investments designated as available-for-sale

Other assets

Net increase/(decrease) in operational liabilities

Insurance contracts

Investment contracts

Other liabilities

Cash utilised in operations

Interest paid

Interest received

Rent received

Tax paid1

Dividends received

Net cash flows from operations

Cash flows from investing activities

Acquisition of plant, equipment, intangibles and other assets

Disposal of plant, equipment, intangibles and other assets

Acquisition of operations, net of cash acquired

Disposal of subsidiaries and other operations, net of cash transferred

Investment in joint ventures and associates

Disposal of joint ventures and associates

Net cash flows generated/(utilised) from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Dividend distributions to ordinary equity holders during the year

Coupon payment in respect of restricted Tier 1 convertible notes, gross of tax

Options exercised under share option schemes

Treasury shares purchased for employee share schemes

Payment of lease liabilities

Proceeds from borrowings

Repayment of borrowings

Proceeds from issuance of restricted Tier 1 convertible notes, net of associated expenses

Net cash flows utilised in financing activities

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Exchange gains/(losses) on cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January (before reallocation of held for sale cash)

Total cash and cash equivalents at 31 December

Notes

2021
£m

2020
£m

2,043

1,571

(26,062)

(28,530)

(9,865)

(9,761)

294

589

137

4,616

(21)

139

726

29,409

(11,161)

(9,156)

(301)

5,060

373

(564)

4,419

(169)

(205)

–

–

217

(56)

177

133

337

144

(12)

6,519

1,072

(2,445)

11,607

20,855

(5,900)

(4,543)

(301)

5,190

384

(554)

4,125

4,301

(198)

34

1

(278)

(16)

–

(457)

(1,063)

(1,048)

(28)

6

(34)

(37)

449

(798)

–

(1,505)

(1,541)

8

18,020

16,487

(7)

6

(23)

(37)

1,086

(501)

495

(29)

3,815

(28)

14,233

18,020

30

4

35

34

34

22

22

14

1.  Tax paid comprises UK corporation tax of £368m (2020: £417m), withholding tax of £188m (2020: £137m) and overseas corporate tax of £8m (2020: £nil).

Primary statements and performance

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135

Primary statements and performance continued

1 Basis of preparation
Legal	&	General	Group	Plc,	a	public	limited	company	incorporated	and	domiciled	in	England	and	Wales,	operates	across	four	broad	business	areas	
of retirement, investment management, capital investment and insurance through its subsidiaries and associates in the United Kingdom (UK), the 
United States and other countries throughout the world. 

(i) Significant accounting policies
The	group	financial	statements	have	been	prepared	in	accordance	with	UK-adopted	international	accounting	standards,	comprising	International	
Accounting Standards and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), and 
related	interpretations	issued	by	the	IFRS	Interpretations	Committee.	Endorsement	is	granted	by	the	UK	Endorsement	Board	(UKEB).	The	group	financial	
statements	have	been	prepared	under	the	historical	cost	convention,	as	modified	by	the	revaluation	of	investment	property,	available-for-sale	financial	
assets,	and	certain	financial	assets	and	financial	liabilities	(including	derivative	instruments)	at	fair	value	through	profit	or	loss.

The	group	has	selected	accounting	policies	which	state	fairly	its	financial	position,	financial	performance	and	cash	flows	for	a	reporting	period.	
The	accounting	policies	have	been	consistently	applied	to	all	years	presented	unless	otherwise	stated.	Accounting	policies	that	relate	specifically	
to a balance or transaction are presented above the relevant numerical disclosure.

Financial	assets	and	financial	liabilities	are	disclosed	gross	in	the	Consolidated	Balance	Sheet	unless	a	legally	enforceable	right	of	offset	exists	and	there	
is an intention to settle recognised amounts on a net basis. Income and expenses are not offset in the Consolidated Income Statement unless required 
or permitted by any accounting standard or International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) interpretation, as detailed in the 
applicable accounting policies of the group.

(ii) Going concern
The group’s business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position in the current economic 
environment	are	set	out	in	this	Annual	Report	&	Accounts.	The	financial	position	of	the	group,	its	cash	flows,	liquidity	position	and	borrowing	facilities	are	
described	in	these	consolidated	financial	statements.	Principal	risks	and	uncertainties	are	detailed	on	pages	56	to	59.

The directors have made an assessment of the group’s going concern, considering both the current performance and the outlook for a period of at least, 
but	not	limited	to,	12	months	from	the	date	of	approval	of	these	consolidated	financial	statements,	which	takes	account	of	the	current	and	future	impact	
of	the	Covid-19	pandemic,	using	the	information	available	up	to	the	date	of	issue	of	this	Annual	Report	&	Accounts.	

The group manages and monitors its capital and liquidity, and various stresses are applied to those positions to understand potential impacts from 
market downturns. Our key sensitivities and the impacts on our capital position from a range of stresses is disclosed in section 5.01 of the Full year 
results 2021 Press Release1. These stresses, including additional considerations relating to Covid-19, do not give rise to any material uncertainties over 
the ability of the group to continue as a going concern. Based upon the available information, the directors consider that the group has the plans and 
resources	to	manage	its	business	risks	successfully	and	that	it	remains	financially	strong	and	well	diversified.

Having	reassessed	the	principal	risks	and	uncertainties	(both	financial	and	operational)	in	light	of	the	current	economic	environment,	as	detailed	on	
pages	56	to	59,	the	directors	are	confident	that	the	group	and	Company	will	have	sufficient	funds	to	continue	to	meet	its	liabilities	as	they	fall	due	for	a	
period	of,	but	not	limited	to,	12	months	from	the	date	of	approval	of	the	financial	statements	and	therefore	have	considered	it	appropriate	to	adopt	the	
going	concern	basis	of	accounting	when	preparing	the	financial	statements.

(iii) New standards, interpretations and amendments to published standards that have been adopted by the group 
The	group	has	applied	the	following	standards	and	amendments	for	the	first	time	in	its	annual	reporting	period	commencing	1	January	2021.

Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16 – Interest Rate Benchmark Reform Phase 2
These	amendments,	issued	in	August	2020,	address	issues	that	might	affect	financial	reporting	after	the	reform	of	an	interest	rate	benchmark,	including	
its	replacement	with	alternative	benchmark	rates.	In	particular,	they	offer	practical	expedients,	under	certain	conditions,	when	a	financial	contract	is	
modified	due	to	a	change	resulting	directly	from	IBOR	reform.	They	also	allow	a	series	of	exemptions	from	the	current	rules	around	hedge	accounting.	
The amendments will be considered as new interest rate benchmarks are introduced. 

New disclosure requirements have also been introduced as part of Phase 2, and in line with these the group has provided the below details around the 
nature	and	extent	of	risks	to	which	it	is	exposed	arising	from	financial	instruments	subject	to	IBOR	reform,	how	such	risks	are	managed	and	the	group’s	
progress in completing its transition to alternative benchmark rates. 

In the UK, GBP LIBOR has been replaced by SONIA from the end of 2021, and USD LIBOR is expected to be replaced by mid-2023. Euribor will remain but 
will be administered by EMMI (Euro Money Markets Institute).

The key challenges for the group arose in the following areas: 

•  All	financial	contracts	that	reference	LIBOR	needed	to	be	amended;
•  Derivatives and assets on balance sheet that were exposed to changes in market value when the reference rate changes needed to be considered; 
•  Discount rates that were based on risk free curves, if the risk free curves were based on LIBOR changed. This primarily affected the Solvency II 

balance sheet, but the resulting impact was small;

•  Customers of the group needed to understand the implications for their products and agree the necessary changes. 

1.  Section 5.01 of the Full year results 2021 Press Release is unaudited.

136

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Financial statements

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

To deal with these risks and to manage the groupwide conversion, the group initiated a project in 2019 to transition away from LIBOR by 31 December 2021. 
LGIM is the reportable segment whose operations were most impacted regarding investments linked to LIBOR. Business as usual processes were 
enhanced	to	include	increased	market	surveillance	on	LIBOR	trading,	added	record-keeping	specific	to	LIBOR	trades,	increased	client	communications	
and additional complaints monitoring processes.

The largest shareholder exposures related to LIBOR-linked derivatives that are used for hedging the annuity business. In 2021, the group stopped trading 
assets referenced to LIBOR (except in some very limited circumstances) and initiated a programme of replacing legacy assets denominated in LIBOR 
with new SONIA based positions.

For GBP LIBOR, in the third quarter of 2021 it was decided to allow remaining cross-currency positions maturing in March 2022 to roll off rather than 
actively	transition	to	a	new	risk-free	rate.	A	residual	amount	of	floating-rate	notes	remains	which	will	reference	a	‘synthetic’	LIBOR	as	permitted,	and	this	
will be reviewed annually. 

Trading out of USD LIBOR has been more gradual as a result of the transition date moving to 23 June 2023, however this has now accelerated following 
guidance by US regulatory authorities that no new USD LIBOR investments should be made from 1 January 2022. 

The	following	table	contains	details	of	all	the	financial	instruments	currently	subject	to	the	IBOR	reform	that	the	group	holds	on	its	balance	sheet	at	
31	December	2021	which	have	not	yet	transitioned	to	SONIA	or	an	alternative	interest	rate	benchmark.	The	amounts	of	non-derivative	financial	assets	
are shown at their carrying amounts and derivatives are shown at their notional amounts. 

Non-derivative financial assets 

Debt securities 

Derivatives

GBP LIBOR 
2021
£m

229

743

USD LIBOR 
2021
£m

55

59,356

Total 
2021
£m

284

60,099

(iv) Standards, interpretations and amendments to published standards which are not yet effective 
Certain standards, amendments and interpretations to existing standards have been published which are mandatory for the group’s accounting periods 
beginning on or after 1 January 2022 or later periods and which the group has not adopted early, as disclosed below.

IFRS 17 – Insurance Contracts 
IFRS 17, ‘Insurance Contracts’ was originally issued in May 2017 by the IASB, and subsequent amendments were issued in June 2020. The standard is 
expected to be effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023 but remains subject to endorsement for use in the UK. The standard will 
be applied retrospectively, subject to the transitional options provided for in the standard and provides a comprehensive approach for accounting for 
insurance contracts including their measurement, income statement presentation and disclosure.

IFRS	17	is	an	accounting	change	and	therefore	while	it	will	have	an	impact	on	the	timing	and	profile	of	profit	recognition,	we	expect	the	underlying	
economics	and	cash	generation	of	the	group’s	businesses	will	remain	the	same.	While	the	group	is	still	refining	its	methodology	and	completing	the	
development of models and operational capabilities, it is not possible to provide a reliable estimate of the impact on adopting IFRS 17, nor of the ongoing 
impact	on	the	group’s	financial	results.	

In terms of key accounting policies and approaches, the group is able to set out the following at this time:

•  The group will be applying the General Measurement Model to all business measured under IFRS 17.
•  On	transition	to	IFRS	17,	the	group	will	apply	the	fully	retrospective	approach	unless	impracticable.	In	some	instances,	this	will	lead	to	the	modified	

retrospective	and	fair	value	approaches	being	used	for	specific	groups	of	insurance	contracts.	

•  For	annuity	business	the	selection	of	a	rate	at	which	to	discount	future	cashflows	for	groups	of	insurance	contracts	is	a	key	determinant	in	the	
valuation of the insurance liability. We intend to apply a top down discount rate to such groups, starting from an appropriate asset portfolio with 
economic deductions. 
IFRS	17	requires	an	accounting	policy	decision	as	to	whether	to	recognise	all	finance	income	or	expense	in	the	profit	and	loss	or	whether	to	
disaggregate	the	income	or	expense	that	relates	to	changes	in	financial	assumptions	into	other	comprehensive	income.	All	finance	income	and	
expense	will	be	included	in	profit	or	loss	except	for	protection	business	where	we	intend	to	disaggregate	such	changes.

• 

The group has a fully mobilised programme to implement the standard. Work will continue throughout 2022 to ensure technical compliance as well as to 
test and embed the required systems and operational capability. Communication and training plans are in place for impacted employees, and the impact 
on resources across the Finance function is being assessed to ensure the business is ready to implement the new standard.

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137

Primary statements and performance continued

1 Basis of preparation continued
(iv) Standards, interpretations and amendments to published standards which are not yet effective continued
IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments
In July 2014, the IASB issued IFRS 9, ‘Financial Instruments’ which is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018. The standard 
replaces	IAS	39,	‘Financial	Instruments:	Recognition	and	Measurement’.	It	includes	new	principles	around	classification	and	measurement	of	financial	
instruments, introduces an impairment model based on expected credit losses (replacing the current model based on incurred losses) and new 
requirements on hedge accounting. The IASB subsequently issued ‘Amendments to IFRS 4: Applying IFRS 9 Financial Instruments with IFRS 4 Insurance 
Contracts’ which allows entities which meet certain requirements to defer their implementation of IFRS 9 until adoption of IFRS 17, ‘Insurance Contracts’ 
or 1 January 2021, whichever is the earlier. In June 2020, the IASB agreed to extend the temporary exemption in IFRS 4 from applying IFRS 9 to annual 
reporting	periods	beginning	on	or	after	1	January	2023.	The	group	qualifies	for,	and	is	making	use	of,	this	deferral	option.	

In December 2021, in order to alleviate operational complexities and potential one-off accounting mismatches in comparative information between 
insurance	contract	liabilities	and	related	financial	assets	on	the	initial	application	of	IFRS	17,	the	IASB	issued	an	amendment	to	IFRS	17	titled	‘Initial	
Application	of	IFRS	9	and	IFRS	17	–	Comparative	Information’.	If	an	entity	applies	IFRS	17	and	IFRS	9	at	the	same	time,	this	amendment	permits	it	to	
present	comparative	information	about	financial	assets	derecognised	in	the	comparative	period	as	if	the	classification	and	measurement	requirements	
of	IFRS	9	had	been	applied	to	them.	The	group	has	chosen	to	restate	comparative	information	and	to	apply	this	classification	overlay	to	all	financial	
assets	in	scope.	While	the	group	is	still	refining	its	methodology	and	completing	the	development	of	models	and	operational	capabilities,	it	is	not	
possible	to	provide	a	reliable	estimate	of	the	impact	on	adopting	IFRS	9,	nor	of	the	ongoing	impact	on	the	group’s	financial	results.	

IFRS	9	classifies	financial	assets	into	the	following	three	categories:	amortised	cost,	fair	value	through	other	comprehensive	income	(FVOCI)	and	fair	
value	through	profit	or	loss	(FVTPL).	The	classification	of	financial	assets	is	based	on	the	entity’s	business	model	for	managing	them,	as	well	as	their	
contractual	cash	flow	characteristics.	The	group	expects	to	reclassify	a	certain	amount	of	financial	assets	as	a	result	of	these	assessments,	in	order	
to better align the accounting treatment of assets that are backing insurance contract liabilities under IFRS 17.

With	the	exception	of	financial	assets	measured	under	FVTPL,	the	group	will	apply	an	expected	credit	loss	impairment	model	to	all	financial	assets	in	
scope (including lease receivables and contract assets). The new impairment model requires utilising not only past events and current conditions but 
also	reasonable	and	supportable	forward-looking	information,	in	order	to	assess	the	credit	risk	profiles	of	those	financial	assets	in	scope.	The	group	will	
recognise either twelve months’ or lifetime expected credit losses in the Consolidated Income Statement at each reporting period. The group intends to 
use	the	practical	expedient	for	financial	assets	with	low	credit	risk	at	the	reporting	date,	which	allows	recognising	twelve	months’	expected	credit	losses.	
Additionally, for trade receivables, contract assets and lease receivables, the group plans to use a provision matrix method to calculate and recognise 
lifetime expected credit losses. 

Financial	liabilities	are	expected	to	be	classified	and	measured	under	their	current	categories	(FVTPL	or	amortised	cost)	under	IFRS	9.	

The group has a fully mobilised programme to implement the standard. Work will continue throughout 2022 to ensure technical compliance as well as to 
test and embed the required systems and operational capability. Communication and training plans are in place for impacted employees, and the impact 
on resources across the Finance function is being assessed to ensure the business is ready to implement the new standard.

Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2018–2020
These amendments, issued in May 2020, make minor amendments to IFRS 1, ‘First-time Adoption of IFRS’, IFRS 9, ‘Financial Instruments’, IAS 41, 
‘Agriculture’ and the Illustrative Examples accompanying IFRS 16, ‘Leases’. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning 
on	or	after	1	January	2022,	subject	to	UK	endorsement.	The	group	does	not	expect	the	impact	to	be	significant.

Amendments to IAS 16 – Property, plant and equipment
These amendments, issued in May 2020, prohibit a company from deducting from the cost of property, plant and equipment amounts received from 
selling items produced while the company is preparing the asset for its intended use. Instead, a company will recognise such sales proceeds and related 
cost	in	profit	or	loss.	The	amendments	are	effective	for	annual	reporting	periods	beginning	on	or	after	1	January	2022,	subject	to	UK	endorsement.	
The	group	does	not	expect	the	impact	to	be	significant.

Amendments to IAS 37 – Provisions, contingent liabilities and contingent assets
These amendments, issued in May 2020, specify which costs a company includes when assessing whether a contract will be loss-making. The 
amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2022, subject to UK endorsement. The group does not expect 
the	impact	to	be	significant.

Amendments to IFRS 3 – Business Combinations 
These amendments, issued in May 2020, update a reference in IFRS 3 to the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting without changing the 
accounting requirements for business combinations. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2022, 
subject	to	UK	endorsement.	The	group	does	not	expect	the	impact	to	be	significant.

Amendments to IAS 1 – Presentation of Financial Statements
These	amendments,	issued	in	February	2021,	intend	to	help	preparers	in	deciding	which	accounting	policies	to	disclose	in	their	financial	statements	
on	or	after	1	January	2023,	subject	to	UK	endorsement.	The	group	does	not	expect	the	impact	to	be	significant.

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Amendments to IAS 8 – Accounting policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors 
These amendments, issued in February 2021, aim to help entities to distinguish between accounting policies and accounting estimates. The amendments 
are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023, subject to UK endorsement. The group does not expect the impact to 
be	significant.

Amendments to IAS 12 – Income Tax 
These amendments, issued in May 2021, clarify how companies account for deferred tax on transactions such as leases and decommissioning 
obligations. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023, subject to UK endorsement. The group 
does	not	expect	the	impact	to	be	significant.

(v) Critical accounting policies and the use of estimates
The	preparation	of	the	financial	statements	includes	the	use	of	estimates	and	assumptions	which	affect	items	reported	in	the	Consolidated	Balance	
Sheet	and	Consolidated	Income	Statement	and	the	disclosure	of	contingent	assets	and	liabilities	at	the	date	of	the	financial	statements.	Although	these	
estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current circumstances and future events and actions, material adjustments could be made to 
the	carrying	amounts	of	assets	and	liabilities	within	the	next	financial	year.	The	Audit	Committee	reviews	the	reasonableness	of	judgements	associated	
with	and	the	application	of	significant	accounting	policies.	The	significant	accounting	matters	considered	by	the	Audit	Committee	in	respect	of	the	year	
ended 31 December 2021 are included within the Audit Committee Report on page 89. 

The	preparation	of	the	financial	statements	has	also	considered	the	impact	of	climate	change,	and	as	at	31	December	2021	management	does	not	
consider	this	to	be	a	significant	area	of	accounting	judgement	or	source	of	estimation	uncertainty.	Specific	considerations	in	respect	of	climate	change	
have	been	presented	in	this	Annual	Report	&	Accounts	in	the	following	sections:

•  Asset risk (Note 7)
•  Financial investments and investment property (Note 10)
• 

IFRS sensitivity analysis (Note 19)

The major areas of critical accounting judgement on policy application are considered below:

Insurance and investment contract liabilities (Notes 20 and 21): Product classification and the assessment of the significance of insurance risk 
transferred to the group in determining whether a contract should be accounted for as an insurance or investment contract. 

Contracts	which	transfer	significant	insurance	risk	to	the	group	are	classified	as	insurance	contracts.	Contracts	that	transfer	financial	risk	(e.g.	change	
in	interest	rate	or	security	price)	to	the	group	but	not	significant	insurance	risk	are	classified	as	investment	contracts.	

Judgement	is	required	in	order	to	assess	the	significance	of	the	transfer	of	insurance	risk	within	a	contract.	This	assessment	is	based	on	whether	the	
occurrence	of	an	insured	event	could	cause	the	group	to	make	significant	additional	payments,	i.e.	if	the	occurrence	of	the	event	causes	significantly	
higher	cash	out	flows	for	the	group	than	its	non-occurrence.

Certain contracts, which are both insurance and investment, can contain discretionary participating features representing the contractual right to receive 
additional	benefits	as	a	supplement	to	guaranteed	benefits	under	certain	conditions,	being:

• 
• 
• 

that	the	additional	benefits	are	a	significant	portion	of	the	total	contractual	benefits;
the	amount	and	timing	of	the	additional	benefits	is	at	the	discretion	of	the	group;	and
that	the	additional	benefits	are	contractually	dependent	upon	the	performance	of	a	company,	fund	or	specified	pool	of	assets.

Insurance contracts and investment contracts with such discretionary participation features are accounted for under IFRS 4, while investment contracts 
without	discretionary	participation	features	are	accounted	for	as	financial	instruments	under	IAS	39.	

Judgement	is	therefore	required	in	order	to	establish	whether	any	additional	benefits	in	an	insurance	or	investment	contract	meet	the	above	
requirements for being considered discretionary participation features.

Consolidation (Notes 42–44): Assessment of whether the group controls underlying entities and should therefore consolidate them.

The assessment takes account of various criteria, including decision making ability, equity holding and the rights to a variable return from the entity.

Control arises when the group is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns 
through its power over the entity. 

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Primary statements and performance continued

1 Basis of preparation continued
(v) Critical accounting policies and the use of estimates continued
For operating entities this generally accompanies a shareholding of 50% or more in the entity. Subsidiaries that are consolidated where the group owns 
less than 50% of the ordinary share capital (structured entities), are consolidated based on an assessment of control normally arising from special rights 
attaching to the class of share owned, other contractual arrangements and factors such as the purpose of the investee, the nature of its relevant activities, 
voting rights (including potential voting rights) and substantive and protective rights.

The group invests in various fund and unit trust entities where it also acts as the asset manager to those entities. In these instances, in determining whether 
the group controls the entities, the assessment focuses on the aggregate economic interests of the group (direct interest and expected management 
fees) and on whether the group acts as a principal or agent. This includes an assessment of the removal rights of other investors (their practical ability 
to	allow	the	group	not	to	control	the	fund).	Additionally,	holdings	in	such	investments	can	fluctuate	on	a	daily	basis	according	to	the	participation	of	the	
group and other investors in them. As a result, in determining control, we look at an assessment of these factors over a longer period to mitigate the 
impact	of	daily	fluctuations	which	do	not	reflect	the	wider	facts	and	circumstances	of	the	group’s	involvement.	This	is	performed	in	line	with	the	
following principles:

•  where the entity is managed by a group asset manager, and the group’s ownership holding in the entity exceeds 50%, the group is judged to have 

control over the entity;

•  where the entity is managed by a group asset manager, and the group’s ownership holding in the entity is between 30% and 50%, the facts and 

circumstances of the group’s involvement in the entity are considered, including the rights to any fees earned by the asset manager from the entity, 
in forming a judgement as to whether the group has control over the entity; and

•  where the entity is managed by a group asset manager, and the group’s ownership holding in the entity is less than 30%, the group is judged to not 

have control over the entity, but again the facts and circumstances of the group’s involvement in the entity are considered.

The following sets out information about the critical accounting assumptions made by the group about the future, and other major sources of estimation 
uncertainty	at	the	end	of	the	reporting	period,	that	have	a	significant	risk	of	resulting	in	a	material	adjustment	to	the	carrying	amounts	of	assets	and	
liabilities	within	the	next	financial	year:

Valuation of insurance and investment contract liabilities (Notes 18–21)

•  Determination of longevity, mortality and morbidity assumptions used in the calculation of the insurance contract liabilities; the assumptions for the 
rate of future longevity, mortality and morbidity are based on the group’s internal experience and judgements about how experience may vary in the 
future. This assessment takes into account market benchmarking, internal experience studies and independent industry data. 

•  Determination of the expense assumptions used in the calculation of the insurance liabilities that represent the expected future costs of administering 

the underlying insurance policies; the expense assumptions are based on management’s best estimate of these future costs, and appropriate 
allocation between servicing new and existing business.

•  Determination of valuation interest rates used to discount the liabilities are sensitive to the assumptions made, for example, on credit default of the 

backing assets; these assumptions take into account consideration of market experience and historic internal data. The valuation interest rate is also 
sensitive to the selection of assets chosen to back the liabilities.

•  Determination of the target long-term asset portfolio at certain period ends, depending on the quantum and timing of pension risk transfer (PRT) 

volumes; this assumption is used to present LGR’s new business metrics.

Insurance and investment contract liabilities are of a long-term nature, and as such, the ultimate impact of Covid-19 will emerge over a long period of 
time.	As	at	31	December	2021,	there	was	insufficient	certainty	in	more	recent	data	to	revise	long-term	assumptions	in	response	to	emerging	claims	
experience relating to the effects of the pandemic, with the exception of certain short-term allowances in protection contracts.

Valuation of unquoted illiquid assets and investment property (Note 10)

•  Determination of fair value of unquoted and illiquid assets, and investment property involves judgements in model valuations, through the 

incorporation of both observable and unobservable market inputs, which include assumptions that lead to the existence of a range of plausible 
valuations	for	financial	assets.

In assessing asset valuation, in line with applicable standards and guidance, the group has both projected the short-term impact on earnings and cash 
flows	of	the	current	market	volatility,	while	continuing	to	review	the	assets’	ability	to	deliver	longer-term	returns	aligned	to	their	investment	cases.

Defined benefit pension plan (Note 23)

•  Determination	of	pension	plan	assumptions	including	mortality,	discount	rates	and	inflation;	these	assumptions	have	been	set	in	accordance	with	the	
requirements	of	IAS	19,	‘Employee	Benefits’	and	include	consistent	judgements	with	those	in	setting	the	annuity	liabilities	where	possible.	Note	23	
includes a sensitivity analysis to alternative assumptions.

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(vi) Consolidation principles
Subsidiary undertakings 
The	consolidated	financial	statements	incorporate	the	assets,	liabilities,	equity,	income,	expenses	and	cash	flows	of	the	company	and	of	its	subsidiary	
undertakings drawn up to 31 December each year. All intra-group balances, transactions, income and expenses are eliminated in full. 

Subsidiaries are those entities (including special purpose entities, mutual funds and unit trusts) over which the group directly or indirectly has control 
(i.e. when the group is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through 
its	power	over	the	investee)	(Note	42).	Profits	or	losses	of	subsidiary	undertakings	sold	or	acquired	during	the	year	are	included	in	the	consolidated	
results up to the date of disposal or from the date of gaining control. Puttable instruments held by external parties in consolidated investment vehicles, 
such	as	unit	trusts,	are	classified	as	liabilities	and	appear	as	‘Net	asset	value	attributable	to	unit	holders’	in	the	Consolidated	Balance	Sheet.	

Associates and joint ventures 
The group has interests in associates and joint ventures (Note 43) which form part of an investment portfolio held through private equity vehicles, mutual 
funds,	unit	trusts	and	similar	entities.	In	accordance	with	the	choice	permitted	by	IAS	28,	‘Investments	in	associates’,	these	interests	have	been	classified	
as	fair	value	through	profit	or	loss	and	measured	at	fair	value	within	financial	investments,	with	changes	in	fair	value	recognised	in	the	Consolidated	
Income Statement. 

Associates which do not form part of an investment portfolio are initially recognised in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at cost. The carrying amount 
of	the	associate	is	increased	or	decreased	to	reflect	the	group’s	share	of	total	comprehensive	income	after	the	date	of	the	acquisition.

(vii) Product classification
The	group’s	products	are	classified	for	accounting	purposes	as	either	insurance	or	investment	contracts.	The	basis	of	accounting	for	these	products	is	
outlined	in	Notes	20	and	21	respectively.	The	following	table	summarises	the	classification	of	the	group’s	significant	types	of	non-participating	insurance	
and investment contracts as described in Note 6 for each applicable reportable segment. 

Reportable segment

Non-participating insurance contracts

Non-participating investment contracts

LGR

LGI

LGIM

•  Pension risk transfers
•  Individual annuities
•  Longevity insurance
•  Lifetime Care Plan 

•  UK Retail protection 
•  UK Group protection
•  US Protection 
•  US Universal life 
•  US Individual annuities

•  Lifetime mortgages
•  Fixed term individual annuities
•  Assured payment policies
•  Retirement interest only mortgages
•  Workplace Savings 

•  Institutional Pension
•  Segregated investment management mandates
•  Collective Investment Schemes

(viii) Fiduciary activities
Assets	associated	with	fiduciary	activities	and	the	income	arising	from	those	assets,	together	with	associated	commitments	to	return	such	assets	
to	customers,	are	not	included	in	these	financial	statements.	Where	the	group	acts	in	a	fiduciary	capacity,	for	instance	as	a	trustee	or	agent,	it	has	
no contractual rights over the assets concerned. 

(ix) Foreign exchange and exchange rates
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rate prevailing at the date of the transactions. The functional 
currency of the group’s foreign operations is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates. The assets and liabilities 
of all of the group’s foreign operations are translated into sterling, the group’s presentation currency, at the closing rate at the date of the Consolidated 
Balance Sheet. The income and expenses for each income statement are translated at average exchange rates. On consolidation, exchange differences 
arising from the translation of the net investment in foreign entities, and of borrowings and other currency instruments designated as hedges of such 
investments, are taken to a separate component of shareholders’ equity.

Foreign	exchange	gains	and	losses	are	recognised	in	the	Consolidated	Income	Statement,	except	when	recognised	in	equity	as	qualifying	cash	flow	
or net investment hedges.

The closing exchange rates at 31 December 2021 were 1.35 United States dollar and 1.19 euro (31 December 2020: 1.37 United States dollar and 
1.12 euro).

The average exchange rates for the year ended 31 December 2021 were 1.38 United States dollar and 1.16 euro (31 December 2020: 1.28 United States 
dollar and 1.13 euro).

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Primary statements and performance continued

2 Supplementary adjusted operating profit information
(i) Reconciliation between adjusted operating profit and profit from ordinary activities after tax

Legal	&	General	Retirement	(LGR)

–	LGR	Institutional	(LGRI)

–	LGR	Retail	(LGRR)2

Legal	&	General	Investment	Management	(LGIM)2

Legal	&	General	Capital	(LGC)

Legal	&	General	Insurance	(LGI)

–	UK	and	Other

–	US	(LGIA)

Adjusted	operating	profit	from	continuing	operations

Adjusted	operating	profit	from	discontinued	operations3

Adjusted operating profit from divisions/(tax expense) 
on divisions

Group debt costs4

Group investment projects and expenses

Covid-19 costs5

Adjusted operating profit/(tax expense)

Investment and other variances

Losses attributable to non-controlling interests

Profit for the year/(tax expense) for the year6

Profit/
(loss)
before
tax¹
2021
£m

1,506

1,154

352

422

461

268

320

(52)

2,657

–

2,657

(230)

(165)

–

2,262

233

(7)

2,488

Tax
(expense)/
credit
2021
£m

(219)

(170)

(49)

(80)

(82)

(41)

(60)

19

(422)

–

(422)

44

28

–

(350)

(95)

–

(445)

Profit/
(loss)
after
tax
2021
£m

1,287

984

303

342

379

227

260

(33)

2,235

–

2,235

(186)

(137)

–

1,912

138

(7)

2,043

Profit/
(loss)
before
tax¹
2020
£m

1,728

1,331

397

407

275

189

205

(16)

2,599

34

2,633

(233)

(155)

(27)

2,218

(394)

(36)

1,788

Tax
(expense)/
credit
2020
£m

(250)

(194)

(56)

(80)

(51)

(34)

(39)

5

(415)

(6)

(421)

44

38

7

(332)

115

–

(217)

Profit/
(loss)
after
tax
2020
£m

1,478

1,137

341

327

224

155

166

(11)

2,184

28

2,212

(189)

(117)

(20)

1,886

(279)

(36)

1,571

Notes

2(iii)

2(iii)

2(iv)

1.		 The	profit/(loss)	before	tax	reflects	profit/(loss)	before	tax	attributable	to	equity	holders.
2.		 LGRR	includes	the	Workplace	Savings	business	which	was	previously	reported	in	LGIM.	Prior	year	comparatives	have	been	restated	to	reflect	the	change	in	reporting	structure.	Further	details	

are provided in Note 28. 

3.   In 2020, discontinued operations included the results of the Mature Savings division, the sale of which completed on 7 September 2020.
4.		 Group	debt	costs	exclude	interest	on	non-recourse	financing.
5.		 Covid-19	costs	reflected	incremental	operational	expenses	incurred	as	a	result	of	Covid-19.
6.		 The	profit/(loss)	before	tax	reflects	the	adjusted	profit	before	tax	attributable	to	equity	holders.

This	supplementary	adjusted	operating	profit	information	(one	of	the	group’s	key	performance	indicators)	provides	additional	analysis	of	the	results	
reported under IFRS, and the group believes it provides stakeholders with useful information to enhance their understanding of the performance of the 
business in the year.

Adjusted	operating	profit	measures	the	pre-tax	result	excluding	the	impact	of	investment	volatility,	economic	assumption	changes	caused	by	changes	in	
market	conditions	or	expectations	and	exceptional	items.	It	therefore	reflects	longer-term	economic	assumptions	for	the	group’s	insurance	businesses	
and	shareholder	funds,	including	the	traded	portfolio	in	LGC.	For	direct	investments,	operating	profit	reflects	the	expected	long-term	economic	return	for	
those	assets	which	are	developed	with	the	intention	of	sale,	or	the	IFRS	profit	before	tax	for	the	early	stage	and	mature	businesses.	Variances	between	
actual	and	long-term	expected	investment	return	on	traded	and	real	assets	(including	direct	investments)	are	excluded	from	adjusted	operating	profit,	
as	well	as	economic	assumption	changes	caused	by	changes	in	market	conditions	or	expectations	(e.g.	credit	default	and	inflation)	and	any	difference	
between	the	actual	allocated	asset	mix	and	the	target	long-term	asset	mix	on	new	pension	risk	transfer	business.	Adjusted	operating	profit	also	excludes	
the yield associated with assets held for future new pension risk transfer business from the valuation discount rate on insurance contract liabilities. 
Exceptional income and expenses which arise outside the normal course of business in the year, such as merger and acquisition and start-up costs, 
are	also	excluded	from	adjusted	operating	profit.

The group reports its results across the following business segments:

•  LGR represents worldwide pension risk transfer business including longevity insurance (within LGRI), and retail retirement, workplace savings and 

lifetime mortgage loans (within LGRR).

•  LGIM represents institutional and retail investment management.
•  LGC represents shareholder assets invested in direct investments primarily in the areas of specialist commercial real estate, clean energy, housing 

and	SME	finance,	as	well	as	traded	and	treasury	assets.	

•  LGI primarily represents UK and US retail protection business, UK group protection and Fintech business.

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(ii) Reconciliation of release from operations to adjusted operating profit before tax

For the year ended
31 December 2021

Release from
operations¹
£m

New 
business 
surplus/ 
(strain)
£m

Net 
release from 
operations
£m

Experience 
variances
£m

Changes in
valuation
assumptions
£m

Non-cash 
items
£m

LGR

–	LGRI

–	LGRR2

LGIM2

LGC

LGI

–	UK	and	Other

–	US	(LGIA)3

Total from divisions

Group debt costs

Group investment 
projects and 
expenses

Total

739

512

227

342

379

236

131

105

1,696

(186)

(69)

1,441

220

193

27

–

–

27

27

–

247

–

–

247

959

705

254

342

379

263

158

105

1,943

(186)

(69)

1,688

54

40

14

–

–

14

14

–

68

–

–

68

251

212

39

–

–

82

82

–

333

–

–

333

23

27

(4)

–

–

6

6

–

29

–

–

29

Adjusted
operating
profit/(loss)
after tax
£m

1,287

984

303

342

379

227

260

(33)

2,235

(186)

(137)

1,912

Other
£m

–

–

–

–

–

(138)

–

(138)

(138)

–

(68)

(206)

Tax 
expense/
(credit)
£m

Adjusted
operating
profit/(loss)
before tax
£m

219

170

49

80

82

41

60

(19)

422

(44)

(28)

350

1,506

1,154

352

422

461

268

320

(52)

2,657

(230)

(165)

2,262

1.  Release from operations within US (LGIA) includes £80m of dividends from the US.
2.	

	LGRR	includes	the	Workplace	Savings	business	which	was	previously	reported	in	LGIM.	Prior	year	comparatives	have	been	restated	to	reflect	the	change	in	reporting	structure.	Further	details	
are provided in Note 28.

3.  Other includes experience variances, changes in valuation assumptions and non-cash items for LGIA.

Release from operations for LGR and LGI UK and Other represents the expected IFRS surplus generated in the year from the difference between the prudent 
assumptions underlying the IFRS liabilities and our best estimate of future experience for in-force annuities and UK protection businesses. For Workplace 
Savings, the release from operations represents the expected annual management charges generated from the in-force business less the expected 
expenses. The LGI release from operations also includes dividends remitted from LGIA.

New	business	surplus/(strain)	for	LGR	and	LGI	UK	and	Other	represents	the	initial	profit	or	loss	from	writing	new	business.	This	includes	the	costs	
associated with acquiring new business and setting up prudent reserves in respect of new business for UK annuities and protection, net of tax. Similarly 
for Workplace Savings, this includes the cost of acquiring new business in the year less the annual management charges generated by the assets under 
administration (AUA), net of tax. The new business surplus and release from operations for LGR and LGI excludes any capital held in excess of the 
prudent reserves from the liability calculation.

LGR’s new business metrics are presented based on a target long-term asset portfolio. At certain year ends, depending upon the quantum and timing 
of pension risk transfer (PRT) volumes, we may have sourced more or less of the high quality assets targeted to support that business. At year end, the 
profit	impact	of	the	difference	between	actual	assets	held	(including	alternative	surplus	assets	where	suitable)	and	the	long-term	asset	mix	is	reflected	
in investment variance.

Net	release	from	operations	for	LGR	and	LGI	is	defined	as	release	from	operations	plus	new	business	surplus/(strain).	

Release	from	operations	and	net	release	from	operations	for	LGC	and	LGIM	represents	the	adjusted	operating	profit	(net	of	tax).

See Note 2 (iii) for more detail on experience variances, changes to valuation assumptions and non-cash items.

Primary statements and performance

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143

Adjusted
operating
profit/(loss)
after tax
£m

Tax 
expense/
(credit)
£m

Adjusted
operating
profit/(loss)
before tax
£m

Other
£m

–

–

–

–

–

(115)

–

(115)

1,478

1,137

341

327

224

155

166

(11)

(115)

2,184

–

(115)

–

(61)

(20)

(196)

28

2,212

(189)

(117)

(20)

1,886

250

194

56

80

51

34

39

(5)

415

6

421

(44)

(38)

(7)

332

1,728

1,331

397

407

275

189

205

(16)

2,599

34

2,633

(233)

(155)

(27)

2,218

Primary statements and performance continued

2 Supplementary adjusted operating profit information continued
(ii) Reconciliation of release from operations to adjusted operating profit before tax continued

For the year ended
31 December 2020

Release from
operations¹
£m

New 
business 
surplus/
(strain)
£m

Net 
release from 
operations
£m

Experience 
variances
£m

Changes in
valuation
assumptions
£m

Non-cash 
items
£m

LGR

–	LGRI

–	LGRR2

LGIM2

LGC

LGI

–	UK	and	Other

–	US	(LGIA)3

From continuing 
operations

From discontinued 
operations4

Total from divisions

Group debt costs

Group investment 
projects and 
expenses

Covid-19 costs5

Total

685

492

193

327

224

250

146

104

1,486

28

1,514

(189)

(56)

–

1,269

262

220

42

–

–

8

8

–

270

–

270

–

–

–

947

712

235

327

224

258

154

104

1,756

28

1,784

(189)

(56)

–

270

1,539

99

81

18

–

–

(41)

(41)

–

58

–

58

–

–

–

58

400

314

86

–

–

58

58

–

458

–

458

–

–

–

458

32

30

2

–

–

(5)

(5)

–

27

–

27

–

–

–

27

1.  Release from operations within US (LGIA) includes £84m of dividends from the US.
2  LGRR includes the Workplace Savings business which was previously reported in LGIM. Further details are provided in Note 28.
3.  Other includes experience variances, changes in valuation assumptions and non-cash items for LGIA.
4.  Discontinued operations include the results of the Mature Savings division, the sale of which completed on 7 September 2020.
5.	 Covid-19	costs	reflect	incremental	operational	expenses	incurred	as	a	result	of	Covid-19.

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(iii) Analysis of LGR and LGI adjusted operating profit

Net release from operations

Experience variances

–	Persistency

–	Mortality/morbidity2

–	Expenses	

–	Project	and	development	costs

–	Other

Total experience variances

Changes in valuation assumptions

–	Persistency

–	Mortality/morbidity3

–	Expenses

–	Other4,5

Total changes in valuation assumptions

Movement in non-cash items

–	Acquisition	expense	tax	relief	

–	Other6

Total movement in non-cash items

Other2

Adjusted operating profit after tax

Tax expense

Adjusted operating profit before tax

LGR1
2021
£m

959

1

40

–

(19)

32

54

–

201

–

50

251

–

23

23

–

1,287

219

1,506

LGI
2021
£m

263

(5)

13

5

(11)

12

14

(5)

(2)

(1)

90

82

–

6

6

(138)

227

41

268

LGR1
2020
£m

947

7

104

(18)

(9)

15

99

–

255

–

145

400

–

32

32

–

1,478

250

1,728

LGI
2020
£m

258

3

(46)

(5)

(1)

8

(41)

(1)

54

2

3

58

(3)

(2)

(5)

(115)

155

34

189

1.		 LGR	includes	the	Workplace	Savings	business	which	was	previously	reported	in	LGIM.	Prior	year	comparatives	have	been	restated	to	reflect	the	change	in	reporting	structure.	Further	details	

are provided in Note 28.

2.		 Mortality	experience	variances	in	2020	were	driven	by	increased	claims	experience	due	to	Covid-19,	particularly	impacting	LGIA	(reflected	in	Other)	where	we	retain	the	majority	of	the	mortality	
risk. In 2021, total LGI Covid-19 claims have exceeded the prior year reserves by £79m, and we have further established a provision of £57m for Covid-19 mortality impacts expected in 2022.
3.		 In	2021,	mortality	assumption	changes	for	LGR	reflect	a	one-off	update	to	the	spouse	demography	assumption	of	£100m.	We	have	not	recognised	an	explicit	release	from	adopting	CMI	2019	
given the uncertainty in the data created by Covid-19. In 2020, the assumption changes included a one-off release of £153m (net of tax) from an update in the longevity trend assumption from 
adjusted CMI 2017 to adjusted CMI 2018. Other positive longevity variances in both years are driven by routine updates to our assumptions relating to base mortality rates.

4.		 In	2020,	the	£145m	positive	Other	changes	in	valuation	assumptions	in	LGR	reflect	both	a	reduction	in	the	assumed	late	retirement	factors	applied	to	deferred	annuities	and	the	impact	of	

updating unit cost and investment management expense assumptions.

5.		 In	2021,	the	£90m	positive	Other	changes	in	valuation	assumptions	in	LGI	reflect	the	benefit	of	modelling	improvements	in	UK	retail	protection,	including	the	introduction	of	an	illiquidity	

premium in the liability discount rate.

6.		 LGR	Other	movement	in	non-cash	items	is	driven	by	the	net	effect	of	the	capitalisation	and	unwind	of	future	asset	management	profits	on	activity	managed	by	LGIM,	and	is	a	function	of	new	

business volumes and movements in the main unit cost assumptions.

(iv) Investment and other variances

Investment variance related to protection liabilities

Investment variance related to the traded investment portfolio and direct investments

Other investment variance1

Investment variance

M&A	related	and	other	variances2

Total investment and other variances

2021
£m

111

19

211

341

(108)

233

2020
£m

(459)

(299)

67

(691)

297

(394)

1.		 Other	investment	variance	includes	variances	in	respect	of	the	defined	benefit	pension	scheme,	reflecting	the	impact	of	the	acquisition	of	annuity	assets	from	LGR,	and	the	difference	between	

the IAS 19 and annuity discount rates.

2.		 M&A	related	and	other	variances	includes	gains	and	losses,	expenses	and	intangible	amortisation	relating	to	acquisitions,	disposals	and	restructuring.	2021	includes:	the	impact	of	the	sale	of	
a	book	of	retail	investment	products	within	the	L&G	Personal	Investing	business	to	Fidelity	International	Limited,	announced	in	October	2020;	the	costs	associated	with	LGIM’s	appointment	
of	State	Street	to	provide	Charles	River	technology	and	middle	office	services,	including	the	recognition	of	a	multi-year	restructuring	provision;	and	the	impact	of	impairing	capitalised	software	
intangibles as a result of various restructuring exercises.

Investment variance includes differences between actual and long-term expected investment return on traded and real assets (including direct investments), 
economic	assumption	changes	caused	by	changes	in	market	conditions	or	expectations	(e.g.	credit	default	and	inflation),	the	impact	of	any	difference	
between the actual allocated asset mix and the target long-term asset mix on new pension risk transfer business, and the yield associated with assets 
held for future new pension risk transfer business from the valuation discount rate.

The long-term expected investment return is based on opening economic assumptions applied to the assets under management at the start of the 
reporting year. The assumptions underlying the calculation of the expected returns for traded equity, commercial property and residential property are 
based on market consensus forecasts and long-term historic average returns expected to apply through the cycle. 

Primary statements and performance

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145

Primary statements and performance continued

2 Supplementary adjusted operating profit information continued
(iv) Investment and other variances continued
The long-term expected investment returns are:

Equities

Commercial property

Residential property

2021

7%

5%

2020

7%

5%

RPI + 50bps RPI + 50bps

Additionally, other alternative assets within the LGC portfolio comprise investments in housing, specialist commercial real estate, clean energy, digital 
infrastructure and venture capital. The long-term expected investment return is on average between 8% and 10%, in line with our stated investment objectives. 
Rates	of	return	specific	to	each	asset	are	determined	at	the	point	of	underwriting	and	reviewed	and	updated	annually.	The	expected	investment	return	
includes	assumptions	on	appropriate	discount	rates	and	inflation	as	well	as	sector	specific	assumptions	including	retail	and	commercial	property	yields	
and power prices.

3 Other expenses
An analysis of other expenses is set out below:

Staff costs (including pensions and share-based payments)1

Redundancy costs

Lease rentals2

Auditors’ remuneration

Depreciation and impairment of plant and equipment

Amortisation and impairment of other intangible assets

Direct operating expenses arising from investment properties 
which generate rental income

House building expenses3

Other administrative expenses1

Total other expenses

Less: other expenses from discontinued operations

Other expenses from continuing operations

Notes

32

31

9

2021
£m

1,014

4

4

12

53

89

–

1,072

860

3,108

–

3,108

2020
£m

960

6

–

13

52

21

6

643

542

2,243

(10)

2,233

1.		 Defined	benefit	pension	costs,	included	within	Staff	costs,	represent	the	sum	of	current	service	cost	and	net	interest	expense,	and	not	the	contributions	paid	to	the	defined	benefit	schemes,	as	
previously disclosed. As set out in Note 32, these amounts have been updated for the prior year, and accordingly Staff costs and Other administrative expenses for 2020 have been represented 
to be on a basis consistent with 2021. There is no impact on Total other expenses, the Consolidated Income Statement or Consolidated Balance Sheet.

2.   Lease rentals represent expenses on short-term leases or low value leases as permitted under IFRS 16. 
3.   House building expenses represent cost of sales of the group’s housing businesses, including CALA Homes. A total of £1,314m (2020: £748m) of house building income has been recognised 

in the year (see Note 28 (ii) (d)).

4 Dividends

Interim dividends on ordinary shares are deducted from retained earnings in the period in which they are paid. Final dividends on ordinary shares 
are recognised as a liability in the period in which they have been approved by shareholders of the company. 

Ordinary dividends paid and charged to equity in the year:

–	Final	2019	dividend	paid	in	June	2020

–	Interim	2020	dividend	paid	in	September	2020

–	Final	2020	dividend	paid	in	June	2021

–	Interim	2021	dividend	paid	in	September	2021

Total dividends

Ordinary share dividend proposed2

Dividend
2021
£m

Per share1
2021
p

Dividend
2020
£m 

Per share1
2020
p

–

–

754

309

1,063

790

–

–

12.64

5.18

17.82

13.27

754

294

–

–

1,048

754

12.64

4.93

–

–

17.57

12.64

1.   The dividend per share calculation is based on the number of equity shares registered on the ex-dividend date.
2.		 Subsequent	to	31	December	2021,	the	directors	declared	a	final	dividend	for	2021	of	13.27	pence	per	ordinary	share.	This	dividend	will	be	paid	on	1	June	2022.	It	will	be	accounted	for	as	an	

appropriation of retained earnings in the year ended 31 December 2022 and is not included as a liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2021.

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5 Earnings per share

Earnings	per	share	is	a	measure	of	the	portion	of	the	group’s	profit	allocated	to	each	outstanding	share.	It	is	calculated	by	dividing	net	income	
attributable to ordinary equity holders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year, excluding employee scheme 
treasury	shares.	For	this	purpose,	net	income	is	defined	as	the	profit	after	tax,	attributable	to	equity	holders	of	the	company,	derived	from	
continuing operations. 

For diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue, excluding employee scheme treasury shares, is adjusted 
to assume conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares, such as share options granted to employees. Potential or contingent share issuances 
are treated as dilutive when their conversion to shares would decrease net earnings per share.

(i) Basic earnings per share

Profit for the year attributable to equity holders

Less: coupon payable in respect of restricted Tier 1 convertible notes net of tax relief

Total basic earnings

Less: earnings derived from discontinued operations

Basic earnings derived from continuing operations

After tax
2021
£m

Per share1
2021
p

After tax
2020
£m

Per share1
2020
p

2,050

(23)

2,027

–

2,027

34.58

(0.39)

34.19

–

34.19

1,607

(6)

1,601

(290)

1,311

27.10

(0.10)

27.00

(4.89)

22.11

1.	 Basic	earnings	per	share	is	calculated	by	dividing	profit	after	tax	by	the	weighted	average	number	of	ordinary	shares	in	issue	during	the	year,	excluding	employee	scheme	treasury	shares.

(ii) Diluted earnings per share

Profit for the year attributable to equity holders

Net shares under options allocable for no further consideration

Conversion of restricted Tier 1 notes

Total diluted earnings

Profit	for	the	year	attributable	to	equity	holders

Net shares under options allocable for no further consideration

Conversion of restricted Tier 1 notes

Total diluted earnings

Less: diluted earnings derived from discontinued operations

Diluted earnings derived from continuing operations

Weighted 
average 
number of 
shares
2021
m

5,929

59

307

6,295

Weighted 
average 
number of 
shares
2020
m

5,930

40

307

6,277

–

6,277

After tax
2021
£m

2,050

–

–

2,050

After tax
2020
£m

1,607

–

–

1,607

(290)

1,317

Per share1
2021
p

34.58

(0.34)

(1.67)

32.57

Per share1
2020
p

27.10

(0.18)

(1.32)

25.60

(4.62)

20.98

1. 

 For diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue, excluding employee scheme treasury shares, is adjusted to assume conversion of all potential ordinary 
shares, such as share options granted to employees and conversion of restricted Tier 1 notes.

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147

Balance sheet management

6 Principal products
A	significant	part	of	the	group’s	business	involves	the	acceptance	and	management	of	risk.	

A description of the principal products offered by the group’s segments is outlined below. The group seeks to manage its exposure to risk through controls 
which ensure that the residual exposures are within acceptable tolerances agreed by the board. The group’s risk appetite framework and the methods 
used	to	monitor	risk	exposures	can	be	found	on	pages	52–59.

Details of the risks associated with the group’s principal products and the controls used to manage these risks can be found in Notes 7 and 15 to 17.

Legal & General Retirement (LGR) 
Annuity contracts
Annuity	products	provide	guaranteed	income	for	a	specified	time,	usually	the	life	of	the	policyholder,	in	exchange	for	a	lump	sum	capital	payment.	
No surrender value is available under any of these products. 

Pension Risk Transfer (PRT) represents bulk annuities, whereby the group accepts the assets and liabilities of a company pension scheme or a life fund. 
These are written predominantly to UK clients but increasing internationally.

Immediate annuity contracts are offered to individual policyholders. Immediate annuities provide a regular income stream to the policyholder, purchased 
with a lump sum investment, where the income stream starts immediately after the purchase. These annuities may include a guaranteed payment period.

Some deferred annuities sold by the group contain guaranteed cash options, predominantly minimum factors for commuting part of the annuity income 
into cash at the date of vesting. The value of such guaranteed options is currently immaterial. 

There	is	a	block	of	immediate	and	deferred	annuities	within	the	UK	business	with	benefits	linked	to	changes	in	the	RPI	or	for	a	minority	the	CPI,	but	with	
contractual maximum or minimum increases. In particular, most of these annuities have a provision that the annuity will not reduce if RPI, or for a minority 
CPI, becomes negative. The total annual annuity value of such annuities in payment at 31 December 2021 was £1,510m (2020: £1,170m). Thus, 1% 
negative	inflation,	which	was	reversed	in	the	following	year,	would	result	in	a	guarantee	cost	of	approximately	£15m	(2020:	£12m).	Negative	inflation	
sustained	over	a	longer	period	would	give	rise	to	significantly	greater	guarantee	costs.	Some	of	these	guarantee	costs	have	been	partially	matched	
through	the	purchase	of	negative	inflation	hedges	and	limited	price	indexation	swaps.

The	group	also	offers	products	for	individuals	that	provide	a	guaranteed	level	of	income	over	a	chosen	fixed	period	of	time,	in	exchange	for	an	initial	lump	
sum	payment	from	the	policyholder.	The	products	can	provide	a	fixed	lump	sum	at	maturity	and/or	options	to	surrender	on	non-guaranteed	terms.

The group writes Assured Payment Policies (APP). An APP is a long-term contract under which the policyholder (a registered UK pension scheme) pays 
a	day-one	premium	and	in	return	receives	a	contractually	fixed	and/or	inflation-linked	set	of	payments	over	time	from	the	insurer.

Longevity insurance contracts
The	group	also	provides	longevity	insurance	products	for	company	pension	schemes,	under	which	regular	payments	are	made	to	the	scheme	reflecting	
their actual longevity experience, while the scheme makes an agreed set of regular payments in return. Some policies contain a guaranteed surrender 
value which is currently immaterial.

Lifetime mortgages
Lifetime mortgages are a form of equity release mortgage that provide non-commercial borrowers with a loan secured against their main residence, 
without the need for regular repayments. They are regulated retail mortgages offered only to borrowers over the age of 55 through specialist intermediaries. 
Interest accrues over the term of the loan and is repayable at the time the principal becomes due. Loans can be advanced in a single lump sum amount 
or in several subsequent drawdowns of an agreed facility. All lifetime mortgages provide a ‘no negative equity’ guarantee, which means that if the loan 
is repaid from the sale of the property and if the net sale proceeds are lower than the balance of the loan, the group will accept the net sale proceeds as 
full settlement. 

Retirement Interest Only mortgages
A Retirement Interest Only (RIO) mortgage is a standard residential mortgage available for non-commercial borrowers above 55 years old. A RIO mortgage 
is very similar to a standard interest-only mortgage, with two key differences: 

•  The loan is usually only paid off on death, move into long-term care or sale of the house. 
•  The borrowers only have to prove they can afford the monthly interest repayments and not the capital remaining at the end of the mortgage term. 

No repayment solution is required as repayment defaults to sale of property. 

Lifetime Care Plan
The Lifetime Care Plan provides a monthly payment to a UK registered care provider that helps meet the cost of care for the policyholder’s life. A policyholder 
can	choose	to	receive	a	fixed	monthly	payment	or	opt	to	have	escalation	built	in.	A	death	benefit	exists	within	the	product	so	that	if	a	policyholder	dies	
within	the	first	6	months	of	the	start	date	a	percentage	of	the	original	premium	less	any	payments	already	made	is	payable	to	the	estate.	

Workplace Savings
Workplace Savings provides corporate pension scheme solutions to enable companies to meet their auto-enrolment obligations. Workplace Savings 
acts as scheme operator and administrator for these products while the customers hold the individual or scheme level pension policies issued by 
Legal and General Assurance Society Limited (LGAS).

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Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM)
LGIM offers both active and passive management on either a pooled or segregated basis to clients domiciled globally. Assets are managed in London 
and Chicago on behalf of pension funds, institutional clients, sovereign wealth clients, retail clients and subsidiary companies within the group. 

The key products provided by LGIM are unit linked Institutional Pensions, Segregated investment management mandates and Collective 
Investment Schemes.

The core strategies applied for managing the products are set out below.

Index fund management
LGIM	provides	a	diversified	range	of	pooled	index	funds,	providing	a	wide	choice	and	the	ability	to	pursue	specific	benchmarks	efficiently.	In	addition,	
segregated solutions are offered to institutional clients providing large scale customisation against established market capitalisation weighted and 
alternative indices.

The LGIM ETF business provides clients access to LGIM’s index fund management capabilities via our Exchange Traded Fund platform. ETF products 
cover a broad range of traditional and thematic asset classes.

Active strategies
LGIM	offers	a	range	of	pooled	and	segregated	active	fixed	income	funds.	The	LGIM	liquidity	funds	offer	institutional	investors	a	solution	for	their	cash	
management	requirements	across	a	range	of	core	currencies.	The	liquidity	funds	aim	to	deliver	competitive	returns	with	a	high	level	of	diversification,	
whilst focusing on capital preservation through portfolios of high quality, liquid assets.

Active strategies also includes an active equity management business comprising focused teams managing stock selection across different regions. 

Solutions and Liability Driven Investment (LDI)
LGIM	provides	a	range	of	pooled	and	bespoke	solutions	to	help	de-risk	defined	benefit	pension	schemes.	These	solutions	will	usually	combine	active	
or	passive	underlying	portfolios	with	derivative	overlays	designed	to	meet	clients’	specific	requirements.	An	allocation	strategy	service	is	also	offered	
to institutional clients, which may also allocate some of the portfolio to managers other than LGIM.

Multi-asset funds
Multi-asset funds for retail and institutional clients, built using LGIM’s expertise in asset allocation which is informed by an in-house research capability. 
The underlying asset classes may be managed on an active or passive basis within LGIM. 

Real assets 
LGIM offers a range of pooled funds, segregated accounts and joint ventures investing on behalf of UK and overseas investors across physical real 
estate, private corporate debt, infrastructure debt and real estate loans. The business has specialist teams of fund and asset managers and an in-house 
research team. 

Legal & General Capital (LGC)
Investment strategy and implementation
Legal	&	General	Capital	manages	shareholder	assets	which	are	not	directly	required	to	meet	contractual	obligations	to	policyholders.	LGC’s	investments	
fall into two distinct categories; direct investments and traded assets. The value of, and income from, both categories are sensitive to conditions within 
investment markets and the broader economy. Potential volatility in returns is managed using a range of techniques, including foreign exchange and 
interest rate hedging, and exposure concentration limits by asset type, sector and geographic region.

Direct investments and structuring
Direct investments are an integral part of the wider group strategy. LGC’s direct investments are typically illiquid investments entered into through 
acquisition, joint venture with strategic partners or by the creation of new companies. LGC seeks to make direct investments in sectors where there are 
structural	funding	shortfalls,	and	is	organised	into	four	sectors:	specialist	commercial	real	estate,	clean	energy,	housing	and	SME	finance.	LGC	deploys	
capital and sector expertise to such investments to target attractive risk-adjusted returns which can deliver higher returns and/or lower volatility for our 
shareholder capital than listed equity. 

Legal & General Insurance (LGI) 
LGI business comprises UK and US retail protection, UK group protection, US universal life business and Fintech business.

UK protection business (retail and group)
The	group	offers	protection	products	which	provide	mortality	or	morbidity	benefits.	They	may	include	health,	disability,	critical	illness	and	accident	
benefits;	these	additional	benefits	are	commonly	provided	as	supplements	to	main	life	policies	but	can	also	be	sold	separately.	The	benefit	amounts	
would	usually	be	specified	in	the	policy	terms.	Some	sickness	benefits	cover	the	policyholder’s	mortgage	repayments	and	are	linked	to	the	prevailing	
mortgage	interest	rates.	In	addition	to	these	benefits,	some	contracts	may	guarantee	premium	rates,	provide	guaranteed	insurability	benefits	and	offer	
policyholders conversion options.

US protection business
Protection	consists	of	individual	term	assurance,	which	provides	death	benefits	over	the	medium	to	long-term.	The	contracts	have	level	premiums	for	an	
initial period with premiums set annually thereafter. During the initial period, there is generally an option to convert the contract to a universal life contract. 
After the initial period, the premium rates are not guaranteed, but cannot exceed the age-related guaranteed premium.

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6 Principal products continued
Reinsurance is used within the protection businesses to manage exposure to large claims. These practices lead to the establishment of reinsurance 
assets	on	the	group’s	balance	sheet.	Within	our	US	business,	Legal	&	General	America	(LGA),	reinsurance	and	securitisation	are	also	used	to	provide	
regulatory solvency relief (including relief from regulation governing term insurance and universal life reserves). 

US universal life
Universal	life	contracts	written	by	LGA	provide	savings	and	death	benefits	over	the	medium	to	long-term.	The	savings	element	has	a	guaranteed	minimum	
growth rate. LGA has exposure to loss in the event that interest rates decrease and it is unable to earn enough on the underlying assets to cover the 
guaranteed rate. LGA is also exposed to loss should interest rates increase, as the underlying market value of assets will generally fall without a change 
in the surrender value. 

Annuities
Immediate annuities have similar characteristics as products sold by LGR. Deferred annuity contracts written by LGA contain a provision that, at 
maturity, a policyholder may move the account value into an immediate annuity, at rates which are either those currently in effect, or rates guaranteed 
in the contract. 

7 Asset risk
The group is exposed to the following categories of asset risk as a consequence of offering the principal products outlined in Note 6. The group is also 
exposed	to	insurance	risk	as	a	consequence	of	offering	these	products	–	more	detail	on	insurance	risk	can	be	found	in	Note	17.

Market risk
Exposure	to	loss	as	a	direct	or	indirect	result	of	fluctuations	in	the	value	of,	or	income	from,	specific	assets.

Credit risk
Exposure	to	loss	if	another	party	fails	to	perform	its	financial	obligations	to	the	group.

Liquidity risk
The	risk	that	the	group,	though	solvent,	either	does	not	have	sufficient	financial	resources	available	to	enable	it	to	meet	its	obligations	as	they	fall	due,	
or can secure them only at excessive cost.

Climate risk
The group is exposed to climate change through two broad categories: transition risks from the move to a low-carbon economy and the impact this has 
on asset valuation and the economy; and physical risks from the impact on asset holdings as a result of severe weather events and longer-term shifts 
in climate.

The group has integrated climate risk management into our governance framework and has carried out a detailed assessment of how we could expect 
climate risk to emerge across our business model. The group risk mitigation strategy includes setting portfolio carbon intensity targets, integrating carbon 
controls into the investment processes through stock exclusions and high carbon escalation, corporate engagement and implementing high energy 
efficiency	standards	into	the	group	directly	owned	commercial	property	and	housing	businesses.

The group is not directly exposed to any market risk, credit risk or liquidity risk associated with LGIM’s businesses. As a result, the detailed risk disclosures 
have not been presented. 

The group seeks to manage its exposures to risk through controls which ensure that the residual risk exposures are within acceptable tolerances agreed 
by the Board. A description of the risks associated with the group’s principal products and the associated controls is detailed below.

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Market risk

Principal risks

Business segment

Controls to mitigate risks

Investment performance risk 
The group is exposed to the risk that the income from, 
and value of, assets held to back insurance liabilities 
and capital requirements do not perform in line with 
investment and product pricing assumptions leading 
to	a	potential	financial	loss.

LGR, LGC and LGI

For unit linked contracts, there is a risk of volatility in 
asset management fee income due to the impact of 
interest rate and market price movements on the fair 
value of the assets held in the linked funds, on which 
investment management fees are based. There is 
also the risk of expense over-runs should the market 
depress the level of charges which could be imposed.

Property risk 
Lifetime mortgages include a no-negative equity 
guarantee which transfers a potential loss exposure 
to	the	group	as	a	result	of	low	house	price	inflation	
and	an	exposure	to	specific	properties	which	may	
experience	lower	house	price	inflation	for	
whatever reason.

LGC businesses build homes across the residential 
market, invest in large commercial and residential 
development projects and manage several developed 
real estate assets. The group’s revenue streams are 
exposed to residential sales achieved, as well as the 
volume of transactions, both of which many be 
affected by the performance of the housing market. 
Revenue streams may also be impacted by 
significant	increases	in	the	cost	of	raw	materials	or	
disruption to supply chains. Independent valuations of 
real estate assets, either in development or developed, 
also depend on an assessment of the wider real 
estate market.

Currency risk
To diversify credit risk within the annuities business 
corporate bond portfolio, investments are held in 
corporate bonds denominated in non-sterling 
currencies. LGC also invest in overseas assets. 
Fluctuations in the value of, or income from, these 
assets relative to liabilities denominated in sterling 
could result in unforeseen foreign exchange losses.

The consolidated international subsidiaries and 
financial	instruments	of	subsidiaries	are	translated	
into sterling in the consolidated accounts. Changes in 
the sterling value can impact consolidated equity but 
may be mitigated by associated hedging transactions.

Inflation risk
Inflation	risk	is	the	potential	of	realising	a	loss	because	
of	relative	or	absolute	changes	in	inflation	rates.	
Annuity	contracts	may	provide	for	future	benefits	to	
be paid taking account of changes in the level of 
inflation.	Annuity	contracts	in	payment	may	include	
an annual adjustment for movements in price indices.

Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that the group is exposed 
to lower returns or loss as a direct or indirect result of 
fluctuations	in	the	value	of,	or	income	from,	specific	
assets and liabilities arising from changes in 
underlying interest rates. 

Unit linked

LGR

LGC

LGR, LGC and LGI

Group

LGR

LGR, LGI and Group

Models are used to assess the impact of a range of future return scenarios 
on investment values and associated liabilities in order to determine 
optimum portfolios of invested assets. For annuities, which are sensitive 
to	interest	rate	and	inflation	risk,	analysis	of	the	liabilities	is	undertaken	to	
create a portfolio of securities, the value of which changes in line with the 
value of liabilities when interest rates change.

The	risk	is	managed	through	maintaining	a	diversified	range	of	funds	
in which customers may invest. The performance of linked investment 
funds relative to their investment objectives is subject to regular monitoring. 
Periodic	assessment	is	also	made	of	the	long-term	profitability	to	the	group	
of these funds. For some contracts the group has discretion over the level 
of management charges levied. 

To mitigate the risk, maximum loan to value ratios are set for all lending 
with further underwriting criteria setting out acceptable properties for 
lending purposes. Policy terms also require properties to be fully insured 
and	maintained,	including	the	right	of	inspection.	The	diversification	of	
lending by property type and geographic region seeks to control exposures 
to	specific	aspects	in	the	property	market.

Diversification	by	geographic	region	and	property	type	avoids	concentration	
of	exposures	to	specific	areas	of	the	property	market.	Sites	are	developed	
in a number of phases to spread the risk to local markets over several years 
and where possible we seek to co-invest with local experts to manage assets. 
The purchasing of new land for development requires approval from LGC’s 
Investment Committee and the Group Capital Committee. Where appropriate, 
key	methods	are	adopted	to	further	manage	the	risk,	such	as	fixed	price	
construction contracts, forward sales and pre-letting. These businesses can 
also	benefit	from	flexible	funding	arrangements	available	from	the	group.

To	mitigate	the	risk	of	loss	from	currency	fluctuations,	currency	swaps	
and forwards are used to hedge exposures to corporate bonds denominated 
in currencies other than sterling. Hedging arrangements are placed with 
strongly rated counterparties with collateral requirements being subject 
to regular review and reconciliation with the counterparties. The hedges 
do not eliminate all currency risk and the group retains some residual risk.

To mitigate the risk of loss from currency translation the company 
continuously monitors its exposure and executes appropriate hedging 
transactions when necessary. Hedging arrangements are placed with 
strongly rated counterparties with collateral requirements being subject 
to regular review and reconciliation with the counterparties.

The investment strategy for the annuities business takes explicit account of 
the	effect	of	movements	in	price	indices	on	contracted	liabilities.	Significant	
exposures	that	may	adversely	impact	profitability	are	hedged	using	inflation	
swaps. Annuity contracts also typically provide for a cap on the annual 
increase	in	inflation	linked	benefit	payments.	The	hedges	do	not	eliminate	
all	inflation	risk	and	the	group	retains	some	residual	risk.

To	mitigate	the	risk	that	guarantees	and	commitments	are	not	met,	financial	
instruments are purchased, which broadly match the nature and terms of 
the	expected	policy	benefits	payable.	The	composition	of	the	investment	
portfolio is governed by the nature of the insurance or savings liabilities, 
the expected rate of return applicable on each class of asset and the capital 
available	to	meet	the	price	fluctuations	of	each	asset	class,	relative	to	the	
liabilities they support.

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7 Asset risk continued
Credit risk

Principal risks

Business segment

Controls to mitigate risks

Bond default risk
A	significant	portfolio	of	corporate	bonds	and	
commercial loans are held to back the liabilities 
arising from writing insurance and annuities business. 
Whilst	the	portfolio	is	diversified,	the	asset	class	is	
inherently exposed to the risk of issuer default, with 
the	possibility	of	financial	loss.

LGR and LGI

Reinsurance counterparty risk
Exposure to insurance risk is mitigated by ceding 
part of the risks assumed to the reinsurance market. 
Default of a reinsurer would require the business to 
be re-brokered potentially on less advantageous 
terms, or for the risks to be borne directly resulting in 
possible	financial	loss.	The	group	is	required	to	carry	
an element of associated credit risk capital on its 
balance sheet should the business not be re-brokered 
on the same terms.

Property lending counterparty risk
As	part	of	our	asset	diversification	strategy,	we	hold	
property lending and sale and leaseback investments. 
We are inherently exposed to the risk of default by 
a borrower or tenant.

Banking counterparty risk
The	group	is	exposed	to	potential	financial	loss	should	
banks	or	the	issuers	of	financial	instruments	default	
on their obligations to us. We are also exposed to 
counterparty risks in respect of the providers of 
settlement and custody services.

LGR and LGI

LGR and LGC

LGR, LGC and Group

Portfolio	level	and	specific	issuer	limits	are	set	by	financial	strength	rating,	
sector and geographic region to limit exposure to a default event. Issuer 
limits are regularly reviewed to take account of changes in market 
conditions,	sector	performance	and	the	re-assessment	of	financial	strength	
by rating agencies and the group’s own internal analysis. Exposures are 
monitored relative to limits. Financial instruments are also used to mitigate 
the impact of rating downgrades and defaults. If appropriate, actions are 
taken to trade out investments at risk of default.

When selecting new reinsurance partners for its protection business, 
the group considers only companies which have a minimum credit rating 
equivalent	to	A-	from	Standard	&	Poor’s.	For	each	reinsurer,	exposure	limits	
are determined based on credit ratings and projected exposure over the 
term of the treaty. Actual exposures are regularly monitored relative to these 
limits. Similarly, for longevity and credit risk syndication transactions, the 
group targets the use of strongly rated counterparties and seeks to ensure 
that positions are fully collateralised. The adequacy and quality of collateral 
is subject to ongoing monitoring.

Each property lending and sale and leaseback investment transaction is 
subject to a due diligence process to assess the credit risks implicit in the 
transaction	and	confirm	that	any	risk	of	default	has	been	appropriately	
mitigated. We also protect our interests by taking security over the 
underlying property associated with each investment transaction.

The group controls its exposures to banking counterparties and the issuers 
of	financial	instruments	using	a	framework	of	counterparty	limits.	These	
limits	take	account	of	the	relative	financial	strength	of	the	counterparty	as	
well as other bank counterparty exposures that the group may have. Limits 
are subject to regular review with actual exposures monitored against limits. 
The	group	has	defined	criteria	for	the	selection	of	custody	and	settlement	
services.	The	financial	strength	of	providers	is	regularly	reviewed.

Liquidity risk

Principal risks

Business segment

Controls to mitigate risks

Contingent event risk 
Events that result in liquidity risk include a pandemic 
that	could	lead	to	significantly	higher	levels	of	claims	
than would normally be expected, or extreme events 
impacting	the	timing	of	cash	flows	or	the	ability	to	
realise investments at a given value within a 
specified	timeframe.

LGI and Group 

Collateral liquidity risk
Within	the	annuities	business,	the	use	of	financial	
instruments to hedge default, interest rate, currency and 
inflation	risks	can	require	the	posting	of	collateral	with	
counterparties at short notice. 

LGR, LGC and Group

Investment liquidity risk
Direct lending, sale and leaseback investments and 
lifetime mortgage business are inherently illiquid forms 
of investment, with limited secondary markets to realise 
the value of assets outside agreed redemption terms. 

LGR and LGC

The group seeks to ensure that it meets its obligations as they fall due and 
avoids incurring material losses on forced asset sales in order to meet those 
obligations. A limited level of contingent liquidity risk is, however, an accepted 
element of writing insurance contracts. It is furthermore a consequence of 
the markets in which the group operates and the execution of investment 
management strategies. However, the group’s insurance businesses seek 
to	maintain	sufficient	liquid	assets	and	standby	facilities	to	meet	a	prudent	
estimate	of	the	cash	outflows	that	may	arise	from	contingent	events.	
The	level	of	required	liquidity	is	identified	using	techniques	including	stress	
tests	for	shock	events	and	the	profile	of	actual	liquid	assets	is	regularly	
compared	to	the	required	liability	profile.	The	group’s	treasury	function	
provides formal facilities to other areas of the group to cover contingent 
liquidity requirements arising from more extreme events and where 
investment assets may not be readily realisable. 

Liquidity requirements to meet potential collateral calls under stressed 
conditions are actively managed and an appropriate pool of eligible assets 
is	maintained	with	counterparties	as	specified	in	the	associated	agreements.	
As	at	31	December	2021,	LGR	held	eligible	collateral	worth	more	than	five	
times the total amount of outstanding collateral (using the most 
representative	definition	of	collateral	contained	within	the	group’s	different	
collateral agreements).

Given the illiquid nature of the annuity and other liabilities the group is able and 
willing to take advantage of the premium offered by illiquid assets. The group, 
however, sets limits on the overall exposure to illiquid investments taking 
account of the nature and type of liabilities that the assets are held to meet. 

As at 31 December 2021, the group had £3,596m (2020: £3,616m) of cash and cash equivalents in shareholder funds and a £1.0bn syndicated 
committed revolving credit facility in place, provided by a number of its key relationship banks, maturing in December 2024.

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Other information

8 Assets analysis
The group has categorised its assets and liabilities in the following disclosure in accordance with the level of shareholder exposure to market and 
credit risks. Various reinsurance arrangements are in place as a mechanism to mitigate the risks.

The two categorisations presented are:

Unit linked
For unit linked contracts, there is a direct link between the investments and the obligations. Unit linked business is written in both Legal and General 
Assurance	Society	Limited	and	Legal	and	General	Assurance	(Pensions	Management)	Limited.	The	financial	risk	on	these	contracts	is	borne	by	the	
policyholders. The group is therefore not directly exposed to any market risk, currency risk or credit risk for these contracts. As a result, risk disclosures 
have not been presented for unit linked assets and liabilities.

Shareholder
All	non-unit	linked	assets	are	classified	as	shareholder	assets.	Shareholders	of	the	group	are	directly	exposed	to	market	and	credit	risk	on	these	assets,	
including	those	backing	the	non-profit	non-unit	linked	business.

The table below presents an analysis of the balance sheet by category. The quantitative risk disclosures in Notes 15 and 16 have been provided using 
this categorisation.

As at 31 December 2021

Assets

Goodwill and Other intangible assets

Investment in associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method

Property, plant and equipment

Investments1

Reinsurers’ share of contract liabilities

Other assets

Total assets

Liabilities

Core borrowings

Operational borrowings

Non-participating contract liabilities

Other liabilities

Total liabilities

As at 31 December 2020

Assets

Goodwill and Other intangible assets

Investment in associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method

Property, plant and equipment

Investments1

Reinsurers’ share of contract liabilities

Other assets

Total assets

Liabilities

Core borrowings

Operational borrowings

Non-participating contract liabilities

Other liabilities

Total liabilities

1.	

Investments	includes	financial	investments,	investment	property	and	cash	and	cash	equivalents.

Shareholder
£m

433

375

242

Unit
linked
£m

–

–

74

Total
£m

433

375

316

114,829

450,182

565,011

7,180

6,701

–

2,622

7,180

9,323

129,760

452,878

582,638

4,309

924

91,698

21,916

(53)

8

371,081

81,812

118,847

452,848

4,256

932

462,779

103,728

571,695

Shareholder
£m

397

288

274

Unit
linked
£m

–

–

–

Total
£m

397

288

274

122,060

430,492

552,552

6,936

7,471

3

2,644

6,939

10,115

137,426

433,139

570,565

4,609

1,045

90,020

31,792

127,466

(51)

10

342,552

90,622

433,133

4,558

1,055

432,572

122,414

560,599

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9 Other intangible assets

Other intangible assets mainly consist of capitalised software costs and intangible assets acquired as part of a business combination (customer 
relationships and brand). 

Where	software	costs	are	separately	identifiable	and	measurable,	they	are	capitalised	at	cost	and	amortised	over	their	expected	useful	life	on	a	
straight line basis. Costs incurred to internally develop software are only capitalised if the expenditure can be measured reliably, the product or 
process	is	technically	and	commercially	feasible,	future	economic	benefits	are	probable	and	the	group	intends	to	and	has	sufficient	resources	
to	complete	such	development	and	to	use	or	sell	the	asset.	Otherwise,	such	costs	are	recognised	in	profit	or	loss	as	incurred.	

Intangible assets acquired via business combinations are recognised at fair value and are subsequently amortised on a straight line method over 
their	estimated	useful	life.	The	brand	balance	acquired	by	the	group	is	deemed	to	have	an	indefinite	useful	life	and	is	therefore	not	amortised.	

The	estimated	amortisation	periods	for	intangible	assets	with	finite	useful	lives	are	as	follows:	

IT development and software  

• 
•  Customer relationship 

3-10 years
3 years

Amortisation methods, useful lives and any expected residual values are reviewed at each reporting date and adjusted if appropriate. 
The amortisation charge for the year is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement in Other expenses (see Note 3). 

For	impairment	testing,	other	intangible	assets	are	tested	either	individually	or	at	the	cash-generating	unit	level.	Intangible	assets	with	indefinite	
useful lives and intangible assets not yet available for use are tested for impairment at least annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances 
indicate	that	the	carrying	amount	may	not	be	recoverable.	Intangible	assets	with	finite	useful	lives	are	tested	when	there	are	indications	of	impairment.	
The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use. Any impairments are charged in Other expenses 
(see Note 3).

Capitalised
software
costs1
2021
£m

Other2
2021
£m

372

120

1

(43)

450

(73)

(39)

(49)

46

(115)

335

33

1

–

–

34

(3)

(1)

–

–

(4)

30

Total
2021
£m

405

121

1

(43)

484

(76)

(40)

(49)

46

(119)

365

60

305

Cost

As at 1 January

Additions1

Increase due to currency translation

Other movements3

As at 31 December

Accumulated amortisation and impairment

As at 1 January

Amortisation for the year

Impairment

Other movements3

As at 31 December

Total net book value as at 31 December

To be amortised within 12 months

To be amortised after 12 months

1.   Total capitalised software costs includes £152m of work in progress assets that are not yet available for use as at 31 December 2021.
2.   Other intangible assets include brand (£24m) and product design costs (£6m) as at 31 December 2021.
3.		 Other	movements	primarily	reflect	the	removal	of	fully	amortised	assets	that	are	no	longer	in	use.

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Cost

As at 1 January

Additions

Disposals3

Decrease due to currency translation

Other movements4

As at 31 December

Accumulated amortisation and impairment

As at 1 January

Amortisation for the year

Disposals3

Other movements4

As at 31 December

Total net book value as at 31 December

To be amortised within 12 months

To be amortised after 12 months

1.   Total capitalised software costs includes £251m of work in progress assets that are not yet available for use as at 31 December 2020.
2.   Other intangible assets include brand (£24m), product design costs (£5m) and customer relationship assets (£1m) as at 31 December 2020.
3.   Disposals primarily relate to the sale of the Mature Savings business, which completed on 7 September 2020.
4.		 Other	movements	primarily	reflect	the	removal	of	fully	amortised	assets	that	are	no	longer	in	use.

Capitalised
software
costs1
2020
£m

Other2
2020
£m

316

166

(30)

(1)

(79)

372

(159)

(21)

25

82

(73)

299

33

–

–

–

–

33

(3)

–

–

–

(3)

30

Total
2020
£m

349

166

(30)

(1)

(79)

405

(162)

(21)

25

82

(76)

329

60

269

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10 Financial investments and investment property

The	group	holds	financial	investments	and	investment	property	to	back	insurance	contracts	on	behalf	of	policyholders	and	as	group	capital.

The	group	classifies	its	financial	investments	on	initial	recognition	as	held	for	trading	(HFT),	designated	at	fair	value	through	profit	or	loss	(FVTPL),	
available-for-sale	(AFS)	or	loans	and	receivables.	Initial	recognition	of	financial	investments	is	on	the	trade	date.

In general, the group’s policy is to measure investments at FVTPL. Financial investments held by the group are designated as FVTPL as their 
performance is evaluated on a total return basis, consistent with asset performance reporting to the Group Investment and Market Risk Committee 
and the group’s investment strategy. Assets designated as FVTPL include debt securities (including lifetime and retirement interest only mortgages) 
and	equity	instruments	which	would	otherwise	have	been	classified	as	AFS	and	reverse	repurchase	agreements	within	loans	which	would	otherwise	
be designated at amortised cost. Assets backing non-participating policyholder liabilities are designated as FVTPL. The group’s non-participating 
investment contract liabilities are measured on the basis of current information and are designated as FVTPL.

All	derivatives	other	than	those	designated	as	hedges	are	classified	as	HFT.	Financial	investments	classified	as	HFT	and	designated	at	FVTPL	are	
measured	at	fair	value	with	gains	and	losses	reflected	in	the	Consolidated	Income	Statement.	Transaction	costs	are	expensed	as	incurred.

Certain	other	financial	investments	classified	as	AFS	are	measured	at	fair	value	with	unrealised	gains	and	losses	recognised	in	a	separate	reserve	
within equity. Realised gains and losses, impairment losses, dividends, interest and foreign exchange movements on non-equity instruments are 
reflected	in	the	Consolidated	Income	Statement.	Directly	attributable	transaction	costs	are	included	in	the	initial	measurement	of	the	investment.

Financial	investments	classified	as	loans	are	either	designated	at	FVTPL,	or	initially	measured	at	fair	value	plus	transaction	costs,	and	subsequently	
measured	at	amortised	cost	using	the	effective	interest	method.	The	designated	at	FVTPL	classification	currently	only	applies	to	reverse	
repurchase agreements.

Financial investments are recognised when the group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial investments are 
derecognised	only	when	the	contractual	rights	to	the	cash	flows	from	the	investment	expire,	or	when	the	group	transfers	substantially	all	the	risks	
and rewards of ownership to another entity.

Financial assets, other than those measured at FVTPL, are assessed for impairment at each balance sheet date. They are impaired where there 
is	objective	evidence	that,	as	a	result	of	one	or	more	events	after	initial	recognition	of	the	financial	asset,	the	estimated	future	cash	flows	have	
been affected.

Investment property comprises land and buildings which are held for long-term rental yields and capital growth, as well as right-of-use assets of 
the same nature. It is carried at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement within investment return. 

Investment property in the UK is valued at least bi-annually by external chartered surveyors at open market values in accordance with the 
‘Appraisal and Valuation Manual’ of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors or using internal valuations and estimates during the intervening 
period.	Outside	the	UK,	valuations	are	produced	in	conjunction	with	external	qualified	professional	valuers	in	the	countries	concerned.	In	the	event	
of a material change in market conditions between the valuation date and balance sheet date, an internal valuation is performed and adjustments 
made	to	reflect	any	material	changes	in	fair	value.

Right-of-use investment property assets relate to long-leasehold interests in land held solely for the purposes of the related investment property 
asset.	The	group	applies	the	fair	value	model	to	these	interests	as	they	meet	the	definition	of	investment	property	under	IAS	40,	‘Investment	Property’.	

The group receives and pledges collateral in the form of cash or non-cash assets in respect of various transactions, in order to reduce the credit 
risk of these transactions. The amount and type of collateral required where the group receives collateral depends on an assessment of the credit 
risk of the counterparty.

Collateral	received	in	the	form	of	cash,	where	the	group	has	contractual	rights	to	receive	the	cash	flows	generated,	is	recognised	as	an	asset	in	the	
Consolidated Balance Sheet with a corresponding liability for its repayment. Non-cash collateral received is not recognised in the Consolidated 
Balance Sheet unless the counterparty defaults on its obligations under the relevant agreement.

Non-cash	collateral	pledged	where	the	group	retains	the	contractual	rights	to	receive	the	cash	flows	generated	is	not	derecognised	from	the	
Consolidated Balance Sheet, unless the group defaults on its obligations under the relevant agreement.

Cash	collateral	pledged,	where	the	counterparty	has	contractual	rights	to	receive	the	cash	flows	generated,	is	derecognised	from	the	Consolidated	
Balance Sheet and a corresponding receivable is recognised for its return.

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Shareholder
2021
£m

Note

Unit
linked
2021
£m

Total
2021
£m

89,323

419,991

509,314

665

13,203

2,240

–

3,589

9,271

665

16,792

11,511

105,431

432,851

538,282

10(ii)

10(ii)

92

–

92

105,523

432,851

538,374

5,710

4,440

10,150

111,233

437,291

548,524

48,766

499,758

Total
2020
£m

Shareholder
2020
£m

Note

Unit
linked
2020
£m

87,945

396,161

484,106

643

20,936

4,117

–

3,695

12,429

643

24,631

16,546

113,641

412,285

525,926

10(ii)

10(ii)

131

–

131

113,772

412,285

526,057

4,672

3,803

8,475

118,444

416,088

534,532

47,809

486,723

Financial investments at fair value classified as:

Fair	value	through	profit	or	loss	

Available-for-sale

Held for trading

Loans at fair value

Financial investments at fair value 

Loans at amortised cost

Total financial investments

Investment property

Total financial investments and investment property

Expected to be recovered within 12 months

Expected to be recovered after 12 months

Financial	investments	at	fair	value	classified	as:

Fair	value	through	profit	or	loss	

Available-for-sale

Held for trading

Loans at fair value

Financial investments at fair value 

Loans at amortised cost

Total	financial	investments

Investment property

Total	financial	investments	and	investment	property

Expected to be recovered within 12 months

Expected to be recovered after 12 months

Investment	risks	on	unit	linked	assets	are	borne	by	the	policyholders.	The	remaining	risks	associated	with	financial	investments	are	outlined	in	Note	7.

Financial investments, cash and cash equivalents include £3,826m (2020: £4,097m) of assets pledged as collateral against net derivative liability 
counterparty positions. The assets used as collateral are Treasury Gilts, Foreign Government Bonds, AAA and AA Corporate Bonds and Cash (2020: 
Treasury Gilts, Foreign Government Bonds, AAA and AA Corporate Bonds and Cash) having a residual maturity of over 34 years (2020: over 25 years). 
The	group	is	entitled	to	receive	all	of	the	cash	flows	from	the	asset	during	the	period	when	it	is	pledged	as	collateral.	Further,	there	is	no	obligation	to	pay	
or	transfer	these	cash	flows	to	another	entity.	The	group	can	decide	to	substitute	an	asset	which	is	designated	as	collateral	at	any	time,	provided	the	
relevant terms and conditions of the International Swap Dealers Association agreement are met.

Financial investments include £46,331m (2020: £53,853m) of assets that have been sold but not derecognised and are subject to repurchase agreements. 
The	related	obligation	to	repurchase	the	financial	assets	is	included	within	Payables	and	other	financial	liabilities	(Note	24).

Various pension risk transfer deals include collateralised structures. £7,586m (2020: £8,022m) of Corporate Bonds and Treasury Gilts are pledged as 
collateral in relation to these.

Collateral of £900m (2020: £760m) made up of Treasury Gilts, Foreign Government Bonds and Corporate Bonds (AAA, AA, A and BBB) was pledged out 
in	respect	of	longevity	swaps	with	reinsurance	counterparties.	These	assets	are	neither	past	due,	nor	impaired.	The	carrying	value	reflects	the	full	
exposure value of these assets.

Financial investments have been allocated between those expected to be settled within 12 months and after 12 months in line with the expected 
settlement	of	the	backed	liabilities.	Assets	in	excess	of	the	insurance	and	investment	contract	liabilities	have	been	classified	as	expected	to	be	settled	
after 12 months.

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10 Financial investments and investment property continued
(i) Financial investments at fair value

Equity securities

Debt securities

Derivative assets 

Loans at fair value

Total financial investments at fair value

Equity securities

Debt securities

Derivative assets 

Loans at fair value

Total	financial	investments	at	fair	value

Shareholder
2021
£m

Note

Unit
linked
2021
£m

Total
2021
£m

3,185

209,864

213,049

86,803

13,203

2,240

210,127

296,930

3,589

9,271

16,792

11,511

105,431

432,851

538,282

Shareholder
2020
£m

Unit
linked
2020
£m

Total
2020
£m

3,086

186,003

189,089

85,502

20,936

4,117

210,158

295,660

3,695

12,429

24,631

16,546

113,641

412,285

525,926

12

10(ii)

Note

12

10(ii)

Included within unit linked equity securities are £237m (2020: £227m) of debt instruments which incorporate an embedded derivative linked to the value 
of the group’s share price.

(ii) Loans

Loans at amortised cost

Policy loans

Other loans and receivables

Loans at fair value

Reverse repurchase agreements

Total loans

Loans at amortised cost

Policy loans

Other loans and receivables

Loans at fair value

Reverse repurchase agreements

Total loans

Shareholder
2021
£m

30

62

92

Unit
linked
2021
£m

–

–

–

Total
2021
£m

30

62

92

2,240

2,332

9,271

9,271

11,511

11,603

Shareholder
2020
£m

31

100

131

4,117

4,248

Unit
linked
2020
£m

–

–

–

Total
2020
£m

31

100

131

12,429

12,429

16,546

16,677

There	are	no	material	differences	between	the	carrying	values	reflected	above	and	the	fair	values	of	these	loans.

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(iii) Fair value hierarchy
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the 
measurement date.

Fair	value	measurements	are	based	on	observable	and	unobservable	inputs.	Observable	inputs	reflect	market	data	obtained	from	independent	sources,	
while	unobservable	inputs	reflect	the	group’s	view	of	market	assumptions	in	the	absence	of	observable	market	information.	The	group	utilises	
techniques that maximise the use of observable inputs and minimise the use of unobservable inputs. 

The	levels	of	fair	value	measurement	bases	are	defined	as	follows:
Level 1: fair values measured using quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level	2:	fair	values	measured	using	valuation	techniques	for	all	inputs	significant	to	the	measurement	other	than	quoted	prices	included	within	level	1	
that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).
Level	3:	fair	values	measured	using	valuation	techniques	for	any	input	for	the	asset	or	liability	significant	to	the	measurement	that	is	not	based	on	
observable market data (unobservable inputs).

All of the group’s Level 2 assets have been valued using standard market pricing sources, such as IHS Markit, ICE and Bloomberg, or Index Providers 
such as Barclays, Merrill Lynch or JPMorgan. Each uses mathematical modelling and multiple source validation in order to determine consensus prices, 
with the exception of OTC Derivative holdings; OTCs are marked to market using an in-house system (Lombard Oberon), external vendor (IHS Markit), 
internal model or Counterparty Broker marks. In normal market conditions, we would consider these market prices to be observable market prices. 
Following consultation with our pricing providers and a number of their contributing brokers, we have considered that these prices are not from a suitably 
active	market	and	have	therefore	classified	them	as	Level	2.

The	group’s	investment	properties	are	valued	by	appropriately	qualified	external	valuers	using	unobservable	inputs,	resulting	in	all	investment	property	
being	classified	as	Level	3.

The	group’s	policy	is	to	re-assess	categorisation	of	financial	assets	at	the	end	of	each	reporting	period	and	to	recognise	transfers	between	levels	at	that	
point in time. During 2020 the group enhanced the level of market data it uses to support the determination of the observability of valuation inputs, and 
this has increased the sensitivity of the levelling assessment to trading volumes, which in turn has increased the number of debt securities transferring 
between Level 1 and Level 2. At 31 December 2021 debt securities totalling net £5.2bn transferred from Level 2 to Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

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10 Financial investments and investment property continued
(iii) Fair value hierarchy continued

For the year ended 31 December 2021

Total
£m

Level 1
£m

Level 2
£m

Level 3
£m

Shareholder

Equity securities

Debt securities

Derivative assets

Loans at fair value1

Investment property

Total Shareholder

Unit linked

Equity securities

Debt securities

Derivative assets

Loans at fair value

Investment property

Total Unit linked

Total financial investments and investment property at fair value1

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Shareholder

Equity securities

Debt securities

Derivative assets

Loans at fair value1

Investment property

Total Shareholder

Unit linked

Equity securities

Debt securities

Derivative assets

Loans at fair value

Investment property

Total Unit linked

Total	financial	investments	and	investment	property	at	fair	value1

1.  Excludes loans (including accrued interest) of £92m (2020: £131m), which are held at amortised cost.

3,185

86,803

13,203

2,240

5,710

1,854

32,593

9

–

–

63

29,887

13,194

2,240

–

111,141

34,456

45,384

209,864

210,127

3,589

9,271

4,440

437,291

548,432

Total
£m

3,086

85,502

20,936

4,117

4,672

209,119

170,838

90

–

–

380,047

414,503

Level 1
£m

1,905

29,898

4

–

–

25

38,726

3,499

9,271

–

51,521

96,905

Level 2
£m

16

33,935

20,932

4,117

–

118,313

31,807

59,000

186,003

210,158

3,695

12,429

3,803

416,088

534,401

185,345

168,155

224

–

–

353,724

385,531

22

41,715

3,471

12,429

–

57,637

116,637

1,268

24,323

–

–

5,710

31,301

720

563

–

–

4,440

5,723

37,024

Level 3
£m

1,165

21,669

–

–

4,672

27,506

636

288

–

–

3,803

4,727

32,233

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Other information

(a) Level 3 assets measured at fair value
Level 3 assets, where modelling techniques are used, comprise property, unquoted securities, untraded debt securities and securities where 
unquoted prices are provided by a single broker. Unquoted securities include suspended securities, investments in private equity and property vehicles. 
Untraded debt securities include private placements, commercial real estate loans, income strips, retirement interest only and other lifetime mortgages.

In many situations, inputs used to measure the fair value of an asset or liability may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In these situations, 
the	group	determines	the	level	in	which	the	fair	value	falls	based	upon	the	lowest	level	input	that	is	significant	to	the	determination	of	the	fair	value.	As	a	
result,	both	observable	and	unobservable	inputs	may	be	used	in	the	determination	of	fair	values	that	the	group	has	classified	within	Level	3.

The	group	determines	the	fair	values	of	certain	financial	assets	and	liabilities	based	on	quoted	market	prices,	where	available.	The	group	also	determines	
fair	value	based	on	estimated	future	cash	flows	discounted	at	the	appropriate	current	market	rate.	As	appropriate,	fair	values	reflect	adjustments	for	
counterparty credit quality, the group’s credit standing, liquidity and risk margins on unobservable inputs.

Fair values are subject to a control framework designed to ensure that input variables and outputs are assessed independent of the risk taker. These inputs 
and outputs are reviewed and approved by a valuation committee and validated independently as appropriate.

As at 1 January

Total gains/(losses) for the year

–	in	other	comprehensive	income

–	realised	gains/(losses)1

–	unrealised	gains/(losses)1

Purchases/Additions

Sales/Disposals2

Transfers into Level 3

Transfers out of Level 3

Foreign exchange rate movements

As at 31 December

Equity
securities
2021
£m

Other
financial
investments
2021
£m

Investment
property
2021
£m

Equity
securities
2020
£m

Other
financial
investments
2020
£m

Investment
property
2020
£m

Total
2021
£m

Total
2020
£m

1,801

21,957

8,475

32,233

2,035

19,402

9,107

30,544

–

31

208

130

(3)

12

(87)

5,429

(153)

(2,351)

2

(31)

–

10

(112)

31

–

(4)

1,028

985

(334)

–

–

–

(3)

39

1,149

6,544

(2,838)

12

(143)

31

–

(39)

(46)

283

(451)

52

(32)

(1)

2

13

1,354

2,491

–

(280)

195

1,019

2

(306)

1,503

3,793

(1,123)

(1,566)

(3,140)

–

(87)

(95)

–

–

–

52

(119)

(96)

1,988

24,886

10,150

37,024

1,801

21,957

8,475

32,233

1.  Realised and unrealised gains/(losses) are recognised in Investment return in the Consolidated Income Statement.
2.  Disposals in 2020 include £926m of Investment property and £234m of Equity securities that relate to the sale of the Mature Savings business, which completed on 7 September 2020.

Climate risk
The group’s asset portfolio can be exposed to climate change through both:

•  Transition risks from the move to a low-carbon economy and the impact this has on asset valuation and the economy; and
•  Physical risks from the impact on asset holdings as a result of severe weather events and longer-term shifts in climate.

Exposure to the physical risks of climate change are minimised in the direct investment portfolio through rigorous assessment of potential investments, 
particularly in ensuring there is low susceptibility to extreme weather events. The group monitors the carbon intensity of the investments held at a 
portfolio level to help understand the environmental impact and reduce high carbon intensive investments in the future. Further detail can be found 
in our Climate Report (TCFD).

The	group’s	assets	are	valued,	where	possible,	using	standard	market	pricing	sources	or	appropriately	qualified	external	valuers	and	therefore	reflect	
current market sentiments in respect of climate risk.

Equity securities
Level 3 equity securities amount to £1,988m (2020: £1,801m), of which the majority is made up of holdings in investment property vehicles and private 
investment funds. They are valued at the proportion of the group’s holding of the Net Asset Value reported by the investment vehicles. Other equity 
securities are valued by a number of third party specialists using a range of techniques which are often dependent on the maturity of the underlying 
investment but can also depend on the characteristics of individual investments. Such techniques include transaction values underpinned by analysis 
of	milestone	achievement,	and	cash	runway	for	early/start-up	stage	investments,	discounted	cash	flow	models	for	investments	at	the	next	stage	of	
development and earnings multiples for more mature investments. 

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10 Financial investments and investment property continued
(iii) Fair value hierarchy continued
(a) Level 3 assets measured at fair value continued
Other financial investments
Lifetime mortgage (LTM) loans and retirement interest only mortgages amount to £6,857m (2020: £6,036m). Lifetime mortgages are valued using a 
discounted	cash	flow	model	by	projecting	best-estimate	net	asset	proceeds	and	discounted	using	rates	inferred	from	current	LTM	loan	pricing.	The	inferred	
illiquidity premiums for the majority of the portfolio range between 100 and 300bps. This ensures the value of loans at outset is consistent with the purchase 
price of the loan, and achieves consistency between new and in-force loans. The mortgages include a no negative equity guarantee (NNEG) to borrowers. 
This ensures that if there is a shortfall between the sale proceeds of the property and the outstanding loan balance on redemption of the loan, the value 
of the loan will be reduced by this amount. The NNEG on loan redemption is valued as a series of put options, which we calculate using a variant of the 
Black-Scholes formula. Key assumptions in the valuation of lifetime mortgages include short-term and long-term property growth rates, property index 
volatility,	voluntary	early	repayments	and	longevity	assumptions.	The	valuation	as	at	31	December	2021	reflects	a	long-term	property	growth	rate	
assumption of 2.9% annually, after allowing for the effects of dilapidation. The values of the properties collateralising the LTM loans are updated from 
the date of the last property valuation to the valuation date by indexing using UK regional house price indices.

Private credit loans (including commercial real estate loans) amount to £13,521m (2020: £11,889m). Their valuation is determined by discounted future 
cash	flows	which	are	based	on	the	yield	curve	of	the	LGIM	approved	comparable	bonds	and	the	initial	spread,	both	of	which	are	agreed	by	IHS	Markit	
who also provide an independent valuation of comparable bonds. Unobservable inputs that go into the determination of comparators include: rating, 
sector,	sub-sector,	performance	dynamics,	financing	structure	and	duration	of	investment.	Existing	private	credit	investments,	which	were	executed	
back	as	far	as	2011,	are	subject	to	a	range	of	interest	rate	formats,	although	the	majority	are	fixed	rate.	The	weighted	average	duration	of	the	portfolio	
is 10.8 years, with a weighted average life of 13.1 years. Maturities in the portfolio currently extend out to 2064. The private credit portfolio of assets has 
internal ratings assigned by an independent credit team in line with internally developed methodologies. These credit ratings range from AAA to BB-.

Private placements held by the US business amount to £1,762m (2020: £2,049m). They are valued using a pricing matrix comprised of a public spread 
matrix, internal ratings assigned to each holding, average life of each holding, and a premium spread matrix. These are added to the risk-free rate to 
calculate	the	discounted	cash	flows	and	establish	a	market	value	for	each	investment	grade	private	placement.	The	valuation	as	at	31	December	2021	
reflects	illiquidity	premiums	between	20	and	70bps.

Income strip assets amount to £1,626m (2020: £1,449m). Their valuation is outsourced to Knight Frank and CBRE who apply a yield to maturity to 
discounted	future	cash	flows	to	derive	valuations.	The	overall	valuation	takes	into	account	the	property	location,	tenant	details,	tenure,	rent,	rental	break	
terms,	lease	expiries	and	underlying	residual	value	of	the	property.	The	valuation	as	at	31	December	2021	reflects	equivalent	yield	ranges	between	1%	
and 9% and estimated rental values (ERV) between £10 and £338 per sq.ft.

Commercial mortgage loans amount to £1,021m (2020: £419m) and are determined by incorporating credit risk for performing loans at the portfolio level 
and	adjusted	for	loans	identified	to	be	distressed	at	the	loan	level.	The	projected	cash	flows	of	each	loan	are	discounted	along	stochastic	risk-free	rate	
paths and are inclusive of an Option Adjusted Spread (OAS), derived from current internal pricing on new loans, along with the best observable inputs. 
The	valuation	as	at	31	December	2021	reflects	illiquidity	premiums	between	20	and	30bps.

Other debt securities which are not traded in an active market amount to £99m (2020: £115m). They have been valued using third party or counterparty 
valuations, and these prices are considered to be unobservable due to infrequent market transactions. 

Investment property 
Level 3 investment property amounting to £10,150m (2020: £8,475m) is valued with the involvement of external valuers. All property valuations are 
carried out in accordance with the latest edition of the Valuation Standards published by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, and are undertaken 
by	appropriately	qualified	valuers	as	defined	therein.	Whilst	transaction	evidence	underpins	the	valuation	process,	the	definition	of	market	value,	
including	the	commentary,	in	practice	requires	the	valuer	to	reflect	the	realities	of	the	current	market.	In	this	context	valuers	must	use	their	market	
knowledge and professional judgement and not rely only upon historic market sentiment based on historic transactional comparables.

The valuation of investment properties also includes an income approach that is based on current rental income plus anticipated uplifts, where the 
uplift and discount rates are derived from rates implied by recent market transactions. These inputs are deemed unobservable. The valuation as at 
31	December	2021	reflects	equivalent	yield	ranges	between	1%	and	13%	and	ERV	between	£1	and	£338	per	sq.ft.

The table below shows investment property by sector.

Retail

Leisure

Distribution

Office	space

Industrial and other commercial

Accommodation

Total

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Financial statements

2021
£m

1,025

482

1,552

4,223

1,767

1,101

10,150

2020
£m

999

440

1,142

3,703

1,588

603

8,475

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

(b) Effect of changes in assumptions on Level 3 assets
Fair	values	of	financial	instruments	are,	in	certain	circumstances,	measured	using	valuation	techniques	that	incorporate	assumptions	that	are	
not evidenced by prices from observable current market transactions in the same instrument and are not based on observable market data. 

Where material, the group assesses the sensitivity of fair values of Level 3 investments to changes in unobservable inputs to reasonable 
alternative assumptions. The table below shows the impact of applying these sensitivities on the fair value of Level 3 assets as at 31 December 2021. 
Further disclosure on how these sensitivities have been applied can be found in the descriptions following the table.

Lifetime mortgages

Private credit portfolios

Investment property

Other investments1

Total Level 3 assets

Sensitivities

Fair value
 2021
£m

Positive impact 
2021
£m

Negative impact 
2021
£m

6,857

16,304

10,150

3,713

37,024

234

921

961

301

(365)

(921)

(793)

(269)

2,417

(2,348)

1.  Other investments include Level 3 equity securities, income strip assets and other traded debt securities which are Level 3.

The	sensitivities	are	not	a	function	of	sensitising	a	single	variable	relating	to	the	valuation	of	the	asset,	but	rather	a	function	of	flexing	multiple	factors	
often	at	individual	asset	level.	The	following	sets	out	a	number	of	key	factors	by	asset	type,	and	how	they	have	been	flexed	to	derive	reasonable	
alternative valuations.

Lifetime mortgages
Key assumptions used in the valuation of Lifetime mortgage assets are listed in Note 10(iii)(a) and sensitivities are applied to each assumption to arrive 
at	the	overall	sensitised	values	in	the	above	table.	The	most	significant	sensitivity	by	value	is	+/-10%	instant	reduction	in	property	valuation	across	the	
portfolio which, applied in isolation produces sensitised values of £133m and £(271)m.

Private credit portfolios
The sensitivity in the private credit portfolio has been determined through a method which estimates investment spread value premium differences as 
compared to the institutional investment market. Individual investment characteristics of each holding, such as credit rating and duration are used to 
determine spread differentials for the purposes of determining alternate values. Spread differentials are determined to be lower for highly rated and/or 
shorter	duration	assets	as	compared	to	lower	rated	and/or	longer	duration	assets.	A	significant	component	of	the	spread	differential	is	in	relation	to	
the selection of comparator bonds, which is the potential difference in spread of the basket of relevant comparators determined by respective investors. 
If we were to take an AA rated asset it may attract a spread differential of 15bps on the selection of comparator bonds as opposed to 40bps for a similar 
duration	BBB	rated	asset.	Applied	in	isolation	the	sensitivity	used	to	reflect	the	spread	in	comparator	bond	selection	results	in	sensitised	values	of	
£339m and £(339)m.

Investment property
Investment	property	holdings	are	valued	by	independent	valuers	on	the	basis	of	open	market	value	as	defined	in	the	appraisal	and	valuation	manual	of	
the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). As such, sensitivities are calculated through a mixture of asset level and portfolio level methodologies 
which	make	reference	to	individual	investment	characteristics	of	the	holding	but	do	not	flex	individual	assumptions	used	by	the	independent	expert	in	valuing	
the holdings. Each method is applied individually and aggregated with equal weighting to determine the overall sensitivity determined for the portfolio. 
One method is similar to that used in the private credit portfolio as it determines the impact of an alternate property yield determined in reference to 
credit ratings, remaining term and other characteristics of each holding. In this methodology we would apply a lower yield sensitivity to a highly rated 
and/or shorter remaining term asset compared with a lower rated and/or longer remaining term asset. If we were to take an AA rated asset with remaining 
term	of	25	years	in	normal	market	conditions	this	would	lead	to	a	15bps	yield	flex	(as	opposed	to	a	35bps	yield	flex	for	a	BBB	rated	asset	with	30	year	
remaining	term).	The	methodology	which	leads	to	the	most	significant	sensitivity	at	the	balance	sheet	date	is	related	to	an	example	in	case	law	where	
it was found that an acceptable margin of error in a valuation dispute is 10% either way, subject to the valuation being undertaken with due care. If this 
sensitivity were to be taken without a weighting it would produce sensitised values of £708m and £(708)m. 

It should be noted that some sensitivities described above are non-linear, and larger or smaller impacts should not be interpolated or extrapolated from 
these results.

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11 IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’ deferral

As required by the amendments to IFRS 4 ‘Amendments to IFRS 4: Applying IFRS 9 Financial Instruments with IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts’, the 
disclosures	below	are	presented	in	order	to	provide	users	of	the	financial	statements	with	information	which	allows	them	to	compare	financial	
assets when IFRS 9 is not applied with those of entities applying IFRS 9. All entities within the group whose activities are not primarily insurance 
related	and	which	prepare	financial	statements	on	an	IFRS	basis	(including	UK	entities	qualifying	for	disclosure	exemptions	under	FRS	101,	
‘Reduced	Disclosure	Framework’)	have	implemented	IFRS	9	in	2018.	The	financial	statements	of	these	entities	will	be	made	available	through	
Companies House.

(i) Fair value of financial assets with contractual terms that give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and 
interest on the principal amount outstanding (passing the SPPI test):

Equity securities

Debt securities

Derivative assets

Loans at fair value

Total financial investments at fair value

Loans at amortised cost

Reinsurance receivables

Insurance and intermediaries receivables

Other	financial	assets

Total fair value of financial assets4

Financial
assets passing 
the SPPI test¹,²

2021
£m

–

2,296

–

–

All other 
financial 
assets³
2021
£m

213,049

294,634

16,792

11,511

2,296

535,986 

92 

84 

60

5,171

7,703

– 

– 

9

–

535,995 

Financial assets 
passing the SPPI

test¹,²
2020 
£m

–

2,350

–

–

2,350

131 

73

68

5,961

8,583

All other
financial
assets³
2020
£m

189,089

293,310

24,631

16,546

523,576

–	

–

8

–

523,584

1.	

	Financial	assets	classified	as	held	for	trading	or	that	are	managed	and	whose	performance	is	evaluated	on	a	fair	value	basis	do	not	require	an	SPPI	test	to	be	performed.	These	assets	are	
reported	in	All	other	financial	assets.

2.	 For	financial	assets	which	pass	the	SPPI	test	held	at	31	December	2021	there	was	a	change	in	the	fair	value	in	the	year	of	£(64)m	(2020:	£40m).
3.	 For	all	other	financial	assets	held	at	31	December	2021	there	was	a	change	in	the	fair	value	in	the	year	of	£25,093m	(2020:	£28,281m).
4.	 Financial	assets	exclude	cash	and	cash	equivalents	and	receivables	under	finance	leases.

(ii) Credit risk information of financial assets passing the SPPI test:

Total financial investments at fair value

Loans at amortised cost

Reinsurance receivables

Insurance and intermediaries receivables

Other	financial	assets

AAA 
2021 
£m

327

–

–

–

–

AA 
2021 
£m

257

–

–

–

1

Total carrying value of financial assets passing the SPPI test3

327

258

A 
2021 
£m

485

1

–

–

91

577

BBB 
2021 
£m

1,180

–

–

–

9

1,189

BB or below1
2021
£m

47

–

–

–

2

49

Other2
2021 
£m

–

91

84

60

5,068

5,303

Total 
2021 
£m

2,296

92

84

60

5,171

7,703

1.	 Financial	assets	classified	as	‘BB	or	below’	are	considered	to	be	lower	than	investment	grade,	and	therefore	are	not	deemed	to	have	low	credit	risk	under	IFRS	9.	
2.		 Other	financial	assets	are	made	up	of	unrated	and	short-term	receivables	for	which	a	formal	credit	rating	is	not	assigned.	The	fair	value	of	financial	assets	passing	the	SPPI	test	that	are	not	

deemed to have low credit risk as at 31 December 2021 is £30m.

3.		 Financial	assets	exclude	cash	and	cash	equivalents	and	receivables	under	finance	leases.	The	fair	value	of	these	assets	approximates	to	their	carrying	value.

Total	financial	investments	at	fair	value

Loans at amortised cost

Reinsurance receivables

Insurance and intermediaries receivables

Other	financial	assets

AAA
2020
£m

434

–

–

–

–

AA
2020
£m

207

–

–

–

2

Total	carrying	value	of	financial	assets	passing	the	SPPI	test3

434

209

A
2020
£m

465

1

–

–

89

555

BBB
2020
£m

1,181

–

–

–

4

1,185

BB or below1
2020
£m

63

–

–

–

3

66

Other2
2020
£m

–

130

73

68

5,863

6,134

Total
2020
£m

2,350

131

73

68

5,961

8,583

1.	 Financial	assets	classified	as	‘BB	or	below’	are	considered	to	be	lower	than	investment	grade,	and	therefore	are	not	deemed	to	have	low	credit	risk	under	IFRS	9.	
2.		 Other	financial	assets	are	made	up	of	unrated	and	short-term	receivables	for	which	a	formal	credit	rating	is	not	assigned.	The	fair	value	of	financial	assets	passing	the	SPPI	test	that	are	not	

deemed to have low credit risk as at 31 December 2020 is £81m.

3.	 Financial	assets	exclude	cash	and	cash	equivalents	and	receivables	under	finance	leases.	The	fair	value	of	these	assets	approximates	to	their	carrying	value.

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Financial statements

Other information

12 Derivative assets and liabilities

The	group’s	activities	expose	it	to	the	financial	risks	of	changes	in	foreign	exchange	rates	and	interest	rates.	The	group	uses	derivatives	such	as	
foreign exchange forward contracts and interest rate swap contracts to hedge these exposures. The group uses hedge accounting, provided the 
prescribed criteria in IAS 39, ‘Financial instruments: Recognition and measurement’ are met, to recognise the offsetting effects of changes in the 
fair	value	or	cash	flow	of	the	derivative	instrument	and	the	hedged	item.	The	group’s	principal	uses	of	hedge	accounting	are	to:	

(i)	

	Defer	in	equity	the	changes	in	the	fair	value	of	derivatives	designated	as	the	hedge	of	a	future	cash	flow	attributable	to	a	recognised	asset	or	
liability,	a	highly	probable	forecast	transaction,	or	a	firm	commitment	until	the	period	in	which	the	future	transaction	affects	profit	or	loss	or	is	
no longer expected to occur; and

(ii)	 	Hedge	the	fair	value	movements	in	loans	due	to	interest	rate	and	exchange	rate	fluctuations.	Any	gain	or	loss	from	remeasuring	the	hedging	
instrument at fair value is recognised immediately in the Consolidated Income Statement. Any gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to 
the hedged risk is adjusted against the carrying amount of the hedged item and recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement.

(iii)  Hedge a net investment in a foreign operation: a hedge of the exposure to the currency risk of a net investment in a foreign entity.

The relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item, together with the risk management objective and strategy for undertaking 
the hedge transaction, are documented at the inception of the transaction. The effectiveness of the hedge is documented and monitored on an 
ongoing basis. Hedge accounting is only applied for highly effective hedges (between 80% and 125% effectiveness) with any ineffective portion 
of the gain or loss recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement in the current year.

Certain derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting. Changes in the fair value of any derivative instruments which do not qualify 
for hedge accounting are recognised immediately in the Consolidated Income Statement.

Where the risks and characteristics of derivatives embedded in other contracts are not closely related to those of the host contract and the whole 
contract is not carried at fair value, the derivative is separated from that host contract and measured at fair value, with fair value movements 
reflected	within	investment	return,	unless	the	embedded	derivative	itself	meets	the	definition	of	an	insurance	contract.

Cash	inflows	and	outflows	are	presented	on	a	net	basis	where	the	group	is	required	to	settle	net	or	has	a	legally	enforceable	right	of	offset	and	
the intention is to settle on a net basis.

Forward foreign exchange contracts – net investment hedges
The group hedges part of the foreign exchange translation exposure on its net investment in certain overseas subsidiaries, using forward foreign 
exchange contracts. It recognises the portion of the gain or loss which is determined in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, along 
with the gain or loss on translation of the foreign subsidiaries.

Other derivative contracts – held for trading
The group uses certain derivative contracts which are effective hedges of economic exposures in accordance with the group’s risk management policy, 
but for various reasons are not designated within a formal hedge accounting relationship. Therefore, these contracts must be designated as held for 
trading, and gains and losses on these contracts are recognised immediately in the Consolidated Income Statement.

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12 Derivative assets and liabilities continued
The	group	uses	derivatives	as	a	component	of	efficient	portfolio	management.	This	includes,	but	is	not	limited	to,	hedging	economic	exposure	to	foreign	
currencies,	interest	rates,	inflation	and	credit	risks.	

Shareholder derivatives:

Interest	rate	contracts	–	held	for	trading

Interest	rate	contracts	–	cash	flow	hedges

Forward	foreign	exchange	contracts	–	held	for	trading

Currency	swap	contracts	–	held	for	trading

Inflation	swap	contracts	–	held	for	trading

Credit	derivatives	–	held	for	trading

Other	derivatives	–	held	for	trading

Total shareholder derivatives

Unit linked derivatives:

Interest	rate	contracts	–	held	for	trading

Forward	foreign	exchange	contracts	–	held	for	trading

Credit	derivatives	–	held	for	trading

Inflation	swap	contracts	–	held	for	trading

Inflation	rate	contracts	–	held	for	trading

Equity/index	derivatives	–	held	for	trading

Other	derivatives	–	held	for	trading

Total unit linked derivatives

Total derivative assets and liabilities

Fair values

Fair values

Assets1
2021
£m

Liabilities2
2021
£m

Assets1
2020
£m

Liabilities2
2020
£m

9,809

10,158

17,927

15,967

–

34

463

2,861

–

36

105

15

671

2,778

23

347

–

78

1,092

1,782

–

57

114

75

290

3,624

28

1,150

13,203

14,097

20,936

21,248

584

1,851

16

955

1

70

112

3,589

16,792

732

570

34

156

–

75

54

1,621

15,718

373

1,767

15

158

–

1,282

100

3,695

24,631

220

345

36

601

–

696

62

1,960

23,208

1.  Derivative assets are reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet within Financial investments and investments property Note 10.
2.	 Derivative	liabilities	are	reported	in	the	Consolidated	Balance	Sheet	within	Payables	and	other	financial	liabilities	Note	24.

The	group	has	entered	into	fixed	rate	borrowings	denominated	in	USD	and	is	therefore	exposed	to	foreign	exchange	and	interest	rate	risks.	In	order	to	hedge	
these	risks	the	group	has	entered	into	a	cross	currency	interest	rate	swap,	enabling	the	exposure	to	be	swapped	into	a	fixed	rate	in	its	functional	currency.	
These had a fair value liability totalling £44m (2020: £74m) and a notional amount of £1,099m (2020: £1,099m) at 31 December 2021. There was no 
ineffectiveness recognised in the income statement in respect of these hedges during 2021.

The	contractual	undiscounted	cash	flows	in	relation	to	non-unit	linked	derivatives	have	the	following	maturity	profile.	Unit	linked	derivatives	have
not been included as shareholders are not directly exposed to liquidity risks.

As at 31 December 2021

Cash inflows

Shareholder derivatives

Derivative assets

Derivative liabilities

Total

Cash outflows

Shareholder derivatives

Derivative assets

Derivative liabilities

Total 

Net cash flows 

Maturity profile of undiscounted cash flows

Fair
values
£m

Within
1 year
£m

1–5 years
£m

5–15 years
£m

15–25 years
£m

Over
25 years
£m

Total
£m

13,203

(14,097)

7,117

7,243

(894)

14,360

10,195

9,662

19,857

23,937

25,002

48,939

14,292

12,898

27,190

13,509

11,199

69,050

66,004

24,708 

135,054

13,203

(14,097)

(6,458)

(8,261)

(894)

(14,719)

(8,293)

(12,596)

(20,889)

(19,864)

(30,235)

(50,099)

(11,135)

(15,500)

(26,635)

(10,017)

(13,291)

(55,767)

(79,883)

(23,308)

(135,650)

(359) 

(1,032) 

(1,160) 

555

1,400 

(596) 

Future	cash	flows	on	the	floating	legs	of	interest	rate	and	exchange	derivatives	are	calculated	using	current	spot	rates,	which	may	differ	from	the	market	
expectation incorporated in the fair value.

Cash	flows	arising	from	implied	events	covered	by	credit	derivatives	are	presented	in	the	table	above	on	an	expected	basis	as	cash	flows	within	one	year.	

Cash	inflows	or	outflows	are	presented	on	a	net	basis	where	the	group	is	required	to	settle	net	or	has	a	legally	enforceable	right	of	offset	and	the	intention	
is to settle on a net basis.

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The	contractual	undiscounted	cash	flows	in	relation	to	non-unit	linked	derivatives	have	the	following	maturity	profile.	Unit	linked	derivatives	have	not	
been included as shareholders are not directly exposed to liquidity risks. 

As at 31 December 2020

Cash	inflows

Shareholder derivatives 

Derivative assets

Derivative liabilities

Total

Cash	outflows

Shareholder derivatives 

Derivative assets

Derivative liabilities

Total 

Net	cash	flows	

Maturity	profile	of	undiscounted	cash	flows

Fair
values
£m

Within
1 year
£m

1–5	years
£m

5–15	years
£m

15–25	years
£m

Over
25 years
£m

Total
£m

20,936

(21,248)

(312)

11,335

5,516

16,851 

13,176

3,962

17,138

22,767

15,930

38,697

13,274

7,716

20,990 

12,902

8,190

21,092 

73,454 

41,314 

114,768

20,936

(21,248)

(9,610)

(6,958)

(312)

(16,568)

283

(9,300)

(8,861)

(18,161)

(1,023)

(17,204)

(22,459)

(39,663)

(966)

(9,036)

(11,508)

(20,544)

446

(7,199)

(12,691)

(19,890)

1,202

(52,349)

(62,477)

(114,826)

(58)

Future	cash	flows	on	the	floating	legs	of	interest	rate	and	exchange	derivatives	are	calculated	using	current	spot	rates,	which	may	differ	from	the	market	
expectation incorporated in the fair value. 

Cash	flows	arising	from	implied	events	covered	by	credit	derivatives	are	presented	in	the	table	above	on	an	expected	basis	as	cash	flows	within	one	year.	

Cash	inflows	or	outflows	are	presented	on	a	net	basis	where	the	group	is	required	to	settle	net	or	has	a	legally	enforceable	right	of	offset	and	the	
intention is to settle on a net basis.

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13 Receivables and other assets

Reinsurance receivables

Receivables	under	finance	leases

Accrued interest and rent

Prepayments and accrued income

Insurance and intermediaries receivables

Inventories1

Contract assets2

Other receivables3

Total other assets

Due within 12 months

Due after 12 months

Note

13(i)

2021
£m

84

169

378

289

69

2,044

322

5,270

8,625

7,012

1,613

2020
£m

73

173

360

255

76

2,179

292

6,021

9,429

7,444

1,985

Inventories represent house building stock including land, options on land, work in progress and other inventory.

1. 
2.  Contract assets represent the entity’s right to consideration in exchange for goods or services that have been transferred to a customer.
3.  Other receivables include amounts receivable from brokers and clients for investing activities, collateral pledges, unsettled cash, FX spots and other sundry balances.

(i) Receivables under finance leases

The group leases certain investment properties to third parties. Under these agreements, substantially all the risks and reward incidental to 
ownership	are	transferred	to	the	lessee;	therefore	the	contracts	have	been	classified	as	finance	leases.	At	the	lease	commencement	date,	the	
group	derecognises	the	investment	property	asset	and	recognises	a	receivable	asset	on	its	balance	sheet	to	reflect	the	net	investment	in	the	lease,	
equal	to	the	present	value	of	the	lease	payments.	The	group	recognises	finance	income	over	the	lease	term	to	reflect	the	rate	of	return	on	the	net	
investment in the lease.

The	group	acts	as	a	lessor	of	certain	finance	leases,	which	have	a	weighted	average	duration	to	maturity	of	31	years	as	at	31	December	2021.	
The counterparties, as lessee, are regarded to be the economic owner of the leased assets.

The future minimum lease payments under the arrangement, together with the present value, are disclosed below:

Within 1 year

1–2	years

2–3	years

3–4	years

4–5	years

After 5 years

Total

Total
future
payments
2021
£m

Unearned
interest
income
2021
£m

10

11

10

10

10

200

251

(5)

(5)

(5)

(5)

(5)

(57)

(82)

Present
value
2021
£m

5

6

5

5

5

143

169

Total
future
payments
2020
£m

Unearned
interest
income
2020
£m

10

10

11

10

10

210

261

(6)

(5)

(5)

(5)

(5)

(62)

(88)

Present
value
2020
£m

4

5

6

5

5

148

173

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14 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, treasury bills and other short-term highly liquid investments with 
maturities of three months or less from the date of acquisition.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash equivalents

Total cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash equivalents

Total cash and cash equivalents

Shareholder
2021
£m

1,115

2,481

3,596

Shareholder
2020
£m

1,152

2,464

3,616

Unit
linked
2021
£m

2,702

10,189

12,891

Unit
linked
2020
£m

2,646

11,758

14,404

Total
2021
£m

3,817

12,670

16,487

Total
2020
£m

3,798

14,222

18,020

15 Market risk
(i) Investment performance risk
(a) Equity securities
The group controls its exposure to geographic price risks by using internal country risk exposure limits. These exposure limits are based on macroeconomic 
data and key qualitative indicators. The latter take into account economic, social and political environments. The table below indicates the group’s exposure 
to different equity markets around the world. Unit linked equity investments are excluded from the table as the risk is retained by the policyholder.

Exposure to worldwide equity markets

United Kingdom

North America

Europe

Japan

Asia	Pacific

Other

Listed equities

Unlisted equities1

Holdings in unit trusts2

Total equities

1.  Unlisted equities are split between £227m (2020: £226m) United Kingdom, £67m (2020: £46m) Europe and £6m (2020: £5m) North America.
2.  Limited Partnerships are included within Holdings in unit trusts.

2021
£m

307

228

185

17

36

57

830

300

2,055

3,185

2020
£m

240

199

196

26

58

62

781

277

2,028

3,086

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Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

169

Balance sheet management continued

15 Market risk continued
(i) Investment performance risk continued
(b) Debt securities
The group controls its exposure to geographic price risks by using internal country credit ratings. These ratings are based on macroeconomic data and 
key qualitative indicators. The latter take into account economic, social and political environments. The table below indicates the group’s exposure to 
different debt security markets around the world. Unit linked debt securities are excluded from the table as the risk is retained by the policyholder.

Total debt securities 
and accrued interest

United Kingdom

USA

Netherlands

France

Germany

GIIPS: 

–	Ireland

–	Italy

–	Spain

Belgium

Rest of Europe

Brazil

Rest of World

Collateralised debt obligations1

Total

1. 

 All CDOs of £67m (2020: £72m) are domiciled in the Rest of World.

(c) Additional disclosures on shareholder securities exposure

Sovereigns, supras and sub-sovereigns

Banks:

–	Tier	2	and	other	subordinated

–	Senior

–	Covered

Financial services:

–	Tier	2	and	other	subordinated

–	Senior

Insurance:

–	Tier	2	and	other	subordinated

–	Senior

Consumer services and goods:

–	Cyclical	

–	Non-cyclical

–	Healthcare

Infrastructure: 

–	Social

–	Economic

Technology and telecoms

Industrials

Utilities

Energy

Commodities

Oil and gas

Real estate

Structured	finance	ABS/RMBS/CMBS/Other

Lifetime mortgage loans

Collateralised debt obligations

Total

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Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Financial statements

Total
2021
£m

43,554

26,859

2,763

1,899

640

Total
2020
£m

43,594

27,165

2,599

1,710

610

1,475

1,343

36

278

394

2,551

59

6,228

67

36

300

374

3,383

63

4,253

72

86,803

85,502

2021
£m

14,027

95

6,690

138

251

1,210

347

1,195

3,398

8,272

2,421

6,975

5,959

5,062

1,307

11,876

1,241

1,262

2,175

3,527

2,451

6,857

67

2021
%

16

2020
£m 

16,244

2020
%

19

–

8

–

–

1

–

1

4

10

3

8

7

6

2

107

5,175

158

204

1,077

293

1,166

3,241

8,749

1,997

6,455

5,469

5,167

1,510

14

11,794

1

1

3

4

3

8

–

1,232

1,277

2,474

3,398

2,207

6,036

72

–

6

–

–

1

–

1

4

10

2

8

7

6

2

14

1

2

3

4

3

7

–

86,803

100

85,502

100

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

15 Market risk continued
(i) Investment performance risk continued
(c) Additional disclosures on shareholder debt securities exposure continued

Analysis of Sovereigns, Supras and Sub-Sovereigns

Market value by region

United Kingdom

USA

Netherlands

France

Germany

GIIPS:

–	Ireland

Rest of Europe

Rest of World

Total 

2021
£m 

9,829

1,892

23

485

380

302

54

1,062

14,027

2020
£m 

11,568

2,654

27

295

423

318

335

624

16,244

(ii) Currency risk
The	group	has	minimal	exposure	to	currency	risk	from	financial	instruments	held	by	business	units	in	currencies	other	than	their	functional	currencies,	
nearly all such holdings are either backing insurance contracts in the same currency or are hedged back to GBP. 

The	group	operates	internationally	and	as	a	result	is	exposed	to	foreign	currency	exchange	risk	arising	from	fluctuations	in	exchange	rates	of	various	
currencies.	The	largest	United	States	dollar	currency	exposures	relate	to	the	group’s	US	business,	Legal	&	General	America.	The	majority	of	currency	
exposures	relating	to	euros	are	held	by	Legal	&	General	Investment	Management	(Europe)	Limited,	a	subsidiary	of	Legal	&	General	Investment	Management	
(Holdings) Limited. The group does not hedge foreign currency revenues as these are substantially retained locally to support the growth of the group’s 
business and meet local regulatory and market requirements.

Businesses	aim	to	maintain	sufficient	assets	in	local	currency	to	meet	local	currency	liabilities,	however	movements	may	impact	the	value	of	the	group’s	
consolidated shareholders’ equity which is expressed in sterling. This aspect of foreign exchange risk is monitored and managed centrally, against 
pre-determined limits. These exposures are managed by aligning the deployment of regulatory capital by currency with the group’s regulatory capital 
requirements by currency. Currency borrowings and derivatives may be used to manage exposures within the limits that have been set. 

As at 31 December 2021, the group held 5% (2020: 14%) of its total equity attributable to shareholders in currencies, mainly United States dollar and euro, 
other than the functional currency of the relevant business unit. The exchange risks inherent in these exposures may be mitigated through the use of 
derivatives, mainly forward currency contracts.

Consistent	with	the	group’s	accounting	policies,	the	profits	of	overseas	business	units	(reported	as	functional	currencies)	are	translated	at	average	
exchange rates and the net assets (reported as functional currencies) at the closing rate for the reporting period. A 10% increase (weakening of foreign 
currencies)	or	decrease	(strengthening	of	foreign	currencies)	in	these	rates	would	increase	or	reduce	the	profit	for	the	year	and	net	assets	as	follows:

Profit	for	the	year1

Net assets attributable to USD exposures1

Profit	for	the	year1

Net assets attributable to EUR exposures1

A 10% increase in
USD:GBP exchange rate

A 10% decrease in
USD:GBP exchange rate

2021 
£m

(2)

(19)

2020 
£m

18

(80)

2021 
£m

3

23

2020 
£m

(22)

98

A 10% increase in
EUR:GBP exchange rate

A 10% decrease in
EUR:GBP exchange rate

2021 
£m

(1)

(39)

2020 
£m

–

(73)

2021 
£m

1

47

2020 
£m

–

90

1.		 Profit	for	the	year	impacts	relate	only	to	overseas	business	units	where	the	functional	currency	is	not	sterling.	Net	asset	impacts	include	both	functional	currency	and	non-functional	

currency exposures. 

Balance sheet management

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

171

Balance sheet management continued

16 Credit risk
The	credit	profile	of	the	group’s	assets	exposed	to	credit	risk	is	shown	below.	The	credit	rating	bands	are	provided	by	independent	rating	agencies.	
For unrated assets, the group maintains internal ratings which are used to manage exposure to these counterparties. Unit linked assets have not been 
included as shareholders are not directly exposed to the associated credit risk. Additionally, assets such as equity securities, deferred acquisition costs 
and tax, have no exposure to the associated credit risk and therefore have also been excluded.

The	carrying	amount	of	the	financial	assets	recorded	in	the	financial	statements	represent	the	maximum	exposure	to	credit	risk.

Shareholder 

As at 31 December 2021

Government securities

Other	fixed	rate	securities

Variable rate securities

Lifetime mortgages

Accrued interest

Total debt securities1

Loans

Derivative assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Reinsurers’ share of contract liabilities

Other assets

Total

Notes

10(i)

10(ii)

12

14

AAA
£m

1,722

1,619

143

–

22

3,506

61

–

694

–

57

4,318

AA
£m

7,389

6,146

1,953

–

56

15,544

1,309

–

648

5,656

35

23,192

A
£m

144

18,391

2,539

–

166

21,240

779

11,176

1,924

1,127

592

BBB
£m

348

17,723

2,413

–

231

20,715

153

1,925

80

1

32

36,838

22,906

957

1.   Of the total debt securities and accrued interest that have been internally rated and unrated, £4,617m is rated AAA, £3,649m AA, £8,675m A, £7,465m BBB, £417m BB or below and £25m as other.

As at 31 December 2020

Government securities

Other	fixed	rate	securities

Variable rate securities

Lifetime mortgages

Accrued interest

Total debt securities1

Loans

Derivative assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Reinsurers’ share of contract liabilities

Other assets

Total

Notes

10(i)

10(ii)

12

14

AAA
£m

2,336

1,660

80

–

25

4,101

44

–

250

–

79

AA
£m

9,527

5,467

2,046

–

61

17,101

3,030

36

1,002

5,591

31

A
£m

88

18,270

2,705

–

172

21,235

886

18,421

2,068

958

696

BBB
£m

385

18,771

1,915

–

236

21,307

203

2,436

89

3

48

4,474

26,791

44,264

24,086

1,052

1.   Of the total debt securities and accrued interest that have been internally rated and unrated, £4,068m is rated AAA, £3,347m AA, £6,702m A, £6,109m BBB, £465m BB or below and £18m as other.

Impairment
The	group	reviews	the	carrying	value	of	its	financial	assets	(other	than	those	held	at	FVTPL)	at	each	balance	sheet	date.	If	the	carrying	value	of	a	financial	
asset is impaired, the carrying value is reduced through a charge to the Consolidated Income Statement. There must be objective evidence of impairment 
as a result of one or more events which have occurred after the initial recognition of the asset. Impairment is only recognised if the loss event has an 
impact	on	the	estimated	future	cash	flows	of	assets	held	at	amortised	cost	or	fair	value	of	assets	classified	as	available	for	sale.	

The	table	below	includes	assets	at	FVTPL	and	held	at	amortised	cost,	which	provides	information	regarding	the	carrying	value	of	financial	assets	which	
have	been	impaired	and	the	ageing	analysis	of	financial	assets	which	are	past	due	but	not	impaired.	Unit	linked	assets	have	not	been	included	as	
shareholders are not exposed to the risks from unit linked policies.

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Financial statements

BB and
below
£m

9

865

64

–

12

Internally
rated and
other1
£m

474

14,062

3,388

6,857

67

950

24,848

–

–

–

–

7

–

–

–

–

3

30

102

250

396

5,951

31,577

85

43

207

384

6,541

27,969

BB and
below
£m

9

966

60

–

14

Internally
rated and
other1
£m

223

13,061

1,335

6,036

54

1,049

20,709

Total
£m

10,086

58,806

10,500

6,857

554

86,803

2,332

13,203

3,596

7,180

6,674

119,788

Total
£m

12,568

58,195

8,141

6,036

562

85,502

4,248

20,936

3,616

6,936

7,398

128,636

 
Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Ageing analysis

As at 31 December 2021

Shareholder

As at 31 December 2020

Shareholder

Neither past
due nor
impaired
£m

119,600

0–3
months
£m

132

Past due but not impaired

3–6
months
£m

23

6 months–
1 year
£m

16

Over
1 year
£m

17

Impaired
£m

Carrying
value
£m

–

119,788

Past due but not impaired

Neither past
due nor
impaired
£m

128,314

0–3
months
£m

250

3–6
months
£m

24

6	months–
1 year
£m

30

Over
1 year
£m

18

Impaired
£m

Carrying
value
£m

–

128,636

Offsetting
Financial assets and liabilities are offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet when the group has a legally enforceable right to offset and has the intention 
to settle the asset and liability on a net basis, or to realise the asset and liability simultaneously.

The	group	has	not	entered	into	any	financial	transactions	resulting	in	financial	assets	and	liabilities	being	offset	in	the	Consolidated	Balance	Sheet.	
The	table	below	shows	the	financial	assets	and	liabilities	that	are	subject	to	master	netting	agreements	in	the	shareholder.	Unit	linked	assets	and	liabilities	
have not been included as shareholders are not exposed to the risks on these policies.

As at 31 December 2021

Derivative assets

Reverse repurchase agreements

Total

Derivative liabilities

Repurchase agreements

Total

Amounts subject to enforceable netting arrangements

Amounts under master netting
 arrangements but not offset

Gross and 
net amounts 
reported 
in the
Consolidated
Balance
Sheet
£m

13,203

2,240

15,443

Related
financial
instruments1
£m

(11,720)

–

(11,720)

(14,097)

11,720

(1,116)

–

(15,213)

11,720

Cash
collateral2
£m

Securities
collateral
pledged2
£m

Net
amount
£m

(789)

–

(789)

1,895

–

1,895

(694)

(2,240)

(2,934)

482

1,116

1,598

–

–

–

–

–

–

1.	

	Related	financial	instruments	represents	outstanding	amounts	with	the	same	counterparty	which,	under	agreements	such	as	the	ISDA	Master	Agreement,	could	be	offset	and	settled	net	
following certain predetermined events.

2.  Cash and securities held may exceed target levels due to the complexities of operational collateral management, timing and agreements in place with individual counterparties.

Balance sheet management

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

173

Balance sheet management continued

16 Credit risk continued

As at 31 December 2020

Derivative assets

Reverse repurchase agreements

Total

Derivative liabilities

Repurchase agreements

Total

Amounts subject to enforceable netting arrangements

Amounts under master netting
arrangements but not offset

Gross and 
net amounts 
reported in 
the
Consolidated
Balance
Sheet
£m

20,936

4,117

25,053

(21,249)

(2,004)

(23,253)

Related
financial
instruments1
£m

Cash
collateral2
£m

Securities
collateral
pledged2
£m

(18,593)

–

(18,593)

18,593

–

18,593

(823)

–

(823)

2,118

–

2,118

(1,758)

(4,121)

(5,879)

610

2,010

2,620

Net
amount
£m

(238)

(4)

(242)

72

6

78

1.	

	Related	financial	instruments	represents	outstanding	amounts	with	the	same	counterparty	which,	under	agreements	such	as	the	ISDA	Master	Agreement,	could	be	offset	and	settled	net	
following certain predetermined events.

2.  Cash and securities held may exceed target levels due to the complexities of operational collateral management, timing and agreements in place with individual counterparties.

In	the	tables	above,	the	amounts	of	assets	or	liabilities	presented	in	the	Consolidated	Balance	Sheet	are	offset	first	by	financial	instruments	that	have	the	
right of offset under master netting or similar arrangements with any remaining amount reduced by cash and securities collateral. The actual amount of 
collateral may be greater than the amounts presented in the tables above. 

174

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Financial statements

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

17 Insurance risk
The group is exposed to insurance risk as a consequence of offering the principal products outlined in Note 6. Insurance risk is the exposure to loss 
arising from experience being different to that anticipated. Detailed below are the risks associated with each of the group’s segments and the associated 
controls operated. They are applicable to all stated products across the group.

Division

LGI

Principal risks

Longevity, mortality & morbidity risks
For	contracts	providing	death	benefits,	higher	mortality	
rates would lead to an increase in claims costs. 
The cost of health related claims depends on both 
the incidence of policyholders becoming ill and the 
duration over which they remain ill. Higher than 
expected incidence or duration would increase costs 
over the level currently assumed in the calculation 
of liabilities.

For annuity contracts, the group is exposed to the 
risk that mortality experience is lower than assumed. 
Lower than expected mortality would require payments 
to	be	made	for	longer	and	increase	the	cost	of	benefits	
provided. Lifetime mortgage business also explicitly 
has some exposure to the life expectancy of borrowers.

LGR

Persistency risk
In the early years of a policy, lapses may result in a 
loss to the group, as the acquisition costs associated 
with the contract would not have been recovered from 
product margins.

LGI

Expense risk
In pricing long-term insurance business, assumptions 
are made as to the future cost of product servicing. 
A	significant	adverse	divergence	in	actual	expenses	
experience	could	reduce	product	profitability.

LGR and LGI

Concentration (catastrophe) risk
Insurance risk may be concentrated in geographic 
regions,	altering	the	risk	profile	of	the	group.	The	most	
significant	exposure	of	this	type	arises	for	group	
protection business, where a single event could 
result in a large number of related claims.

Epidemic (catastrophe) risk
The spread of an epidemic could cause large 
aggregate claims across the group’s portfolio 
of protection businesses. 

LGI

LGI

Controls to mitigate risks

The pricing of protection business is based on assumptions as to future 
trends in mortality and morbidity having regard to past experience. 
Underwriting	criteria	are	defined	setting	out	the	risks	that	are	unacceptable	
and the terms for non-standard risks presented by the lives to be insured. 
Extensive use of reinsurance is made within the UK retail protection 
business, placing a proportion of all risks meeting prescribed criteria. 
Mortality and morbidity experience is compared to that assumed within 
the pricing basis with variances subject to actuarial investigation. 

Annuity business is priced having regard to trends in improvements in 
future mortality. Enhanced annuities, which are priced taking account of 
impairments	to	life	expectancy,	are	subject	to	specific	underwriting	criteria.	
Certain annuitant mortality risks, including enhanced annuities, are placed 
with reinsurers. The group regularly reviews its mortality experience and 
industry projections of longevity and adjusts the pricing and valuation 
assumptions accordingly. In pricing lifetime mortgage business, account is 
taken of trends in mortality rates in setting the amounts that are advanced 
to borrowers relative to the value of the property on which the loan is secured.

The pricing basis for protection business includes provision for policy lapses. 
The persistency assumption for non-participating protection business allows 
for the expected pattern of persistency, adjusted to incorporate a margin for 
adverse deviation. Actual trends in policy lapse rates are monitored with 
adverse trends being subject to actuarial investigation.

In determining pricing assumptions, account is taken of changes in price 
indices and the costs of employment, with stress testing used to evaluate 
the	effect	of	significant	deviations.	Actual	product	servicing	costs	are	
monitored relative to the costs assumed with the product pricing basis, 
with variances investigated. 

Group protection business contracts include an ‘event limit’ capping the 
total liability under the policy from a single event. Excess of loss reinsurance 
further mitigates loss from the exposure. Additionally, exposure by location 
is monitored to ensure there is a geographic spread of risk. Catastrophe 
reinsurance cover also mitigates loss from concentrations of risk.

The pricing basis for protection business includes an assessment of 
potential	claims	as	a	result	of	epidemic	risks.	Quota	share	and	excess	
of loss reinsurance contracts are used by individual and group protection, 
respectively, to further mitigate the risk. Depending on the nature of an 
epidemic, mortality experience may lead to a reduction in the cost of claims 
for annuity business. As in the current pandemic, we can update the pricing 
for	new	business	to	reflect	the	change	in	expected	claims.	The	provision	for	
future Covid-19 claims relies on assumptions about the future developments 
of the pandemic, including the impact of new variants, vaccines, social 
distancing and treatment, all of which could result in a higher or lower loss 
than assumed.

Accumulation of risks
There is limited potential for single incidents to give rise to a large number of claims across the different contract types written by the group. In particular, 
there	is	little	significant	overlap	between	the	long-term	and	short-term	insurance	business	written	by	the	group.	However,	there	are	potentially	material	
correlations of insurance risk with other types of risk exposure. The group’s capital model seeks to measure risk correlations particularly those that 
would tend to be more acute as the underlying risk scenarios become more extreme. An example of the accumulation of risk is the correlation between 
reinsurer credit risk with mortality and morbidity exposures.

Operational risk
Operational	risk	is	defined	as	loss	arising	from	inadequate	or	failed	internal	processes,	people,	systems	or	external	events.	Potential	for	exposure	to	operational	
risk extends to all the group’s businesses. The group has constructed a framework of internal controls to minimise material loss from operational risk events 
recognising	that	no	system	of	internal	control	can	completely	eliminate	the	risk	of	error,	financial	loss,	fraudulent	action	or	reputational	damage.

Balance sheet management

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175

Balance sheet management continued

18 Long-term insurance valuation assumptions
The group’s insurance assumptions, described below, relate to the UK insurance business and material lines of the US insurance business, 
Legal	&	General	America	(LGA).	Other	non-UK	businesses	do	not	constitute	a	material	component	of	the	group’s	operations	and	consideration	
of geographically determined assumptions is therefore not included.

The group seeks to make prudent assumptions about future experience based on current market conditions and recent experience. Assumptions 
incorporate prudent margins in excess of our best estimate assumptions to reduce the possibility of actual experience being less favourable than assumed. 

(i) Mortality and morbidity
Mortality and morbidity assumptions for the UK business are set with reference to standard tables drawn up by the Continuous Mortality Investigation 
(CMI), a subsidiary of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, and/or UK death registrations. US assumptions are set with reference to standard tables 
drawn up by the American Academy of Actuaries. Assumptions include an appropriate allowance for prudence. Tables are based on industry-wide 
mortality and morbidity experience for insured lives.

The group conducts statistical investigations of its mortality and morbidity experience, the majority of which are carried out at least annually. 
Investigations determine the extent to which the group’s experience differs from that underpinning the standard tables, and suggest appropriate 
adjustments which need to be made to the valuation assumptions. 

The	higher	mortality	experience	observed	in	2020	and	2021	as	a	result	of	Covid-19	is	considered	to	be	exceptional	and,	due	to	insufficient	certainty	in	
more	recent	data,	long-term	mortality	assumptions	have	not	been	revised	to	reflect	this	experience.	Certain	short-term	allowances	continue	to	be	made	
for higher mortality expected in the short term.

In	most	cases,	mortality	rates	are	set	separately	for	sex	and	smoker	status,	and	the	percentage	of	mortality	table	will	vary	for	the	first	2–5	years	of	the	
policy’s duration to allow for underwriting selection. 

Mortality tables

Non-linked individual assurance business

UK term assurances1

UK term assurances with terminal illness1

UK term assurances with critical illness2

US term assurances3

Whole of Life Protection Plan4

Whole of Life over 504

Annuity business

UK Annuities in deferment5

UK Vested annuities6

Pension risk transfer

Other annuities

US annuities7

2021

2020

99%–101% TM08/TF08 Sel 5

63%–95% TM08/TF08 Sel 5

107%–159% ACL08 Sel 2

Adjusted SOA 2014 VBT

99%–101%	TM08/TF08	Sel	5

63%–95%	TM08/TF08	Sel	5

107%–159%	ACL08	Sel	2

Adjusted SOA 2014 VBT

Bespoke Tables based on TM08/TF08, 
PCMA00/PCFA00 and UK death 
registrations

Bespoke Tables based on TM08/TF08, 
AM92/AF92 and UK death registrations

Bespoke Tables based on ELT15 and 
Whole of Life Protection Plan assumptions

Bespoke Tables based on ELT15 and 
Whole of Life Protection Plan assumptions

70.9%–81.1% PNMA00/PNFA00

71.9%–81.9%	PNMA00/PNFA00

71.6%–81.1% PCMA00/PCFA00

72.7%–81.9%	PCMA00/PCFA00

59.3%–98.4% PCMA00/PCFA00

57.6%–105.1%	PCMA00/PCFA00

Bespoke tables based on RP–2014 
Healthy Annuitant Total table

Bespoke	tables	based	on	RP–2014	
Healthy Annuitant Total table

Improvement assumptions applied of 0.6% p.a. for males and females (2020: 0.6% p.a. for males and females).

1. 
2.  Morbidity rates are assumed to deteriorate at a rate of 0.50% p.a. for males and 0.75% p.a. for females (2020: 0.50% p.a. for males and 0.75% p.a. for females).
3.  Adjustments are made for sex, select period, smoker status, policy size, policy duration and year, issue year and age.
4.  Mortality rates are assumed to reduce based on CMI 2019 model with a long-term annual improvement rate of 1.5% for males and 1.0% for females (2020: Mortality rates are assumed 

to reduce based on CMI 2018 model with a long-term annual improvement rate of 1.5% for males and 1.0% for females).

5.  Table created by blending PCXA00 with PNXA00 tables. The base table to be used for bulk purchase annuity policies in deferment is PNMA00 up to and including age 55 and PCMA00 

for age 65 and above for males. The identical method is applied to females using PNFA00 and PCFA00.

6.  Mortality rates are assumed to reduce according to an adjusted version of the mortality improvement model CMI 2019 (2020: CMI 2018) with the following parameters:

Males: Long-term Rate of 1.50% p.a. up to age 85 tapering to 0% at 110 (2020: Long-term Rate of 1.50% p.a. up to age 85 tapering to 0% at 110). 
Females: Long-term Rate of 1.00% p.a. up to age 85 tapering to 0% at 110 (2020: Long-term Rate of 1.00% p.a. up to age 85 tapering to 0% at 110).

Smoothing	is	applied	to	derive	initial	rates	using	a	smoothing	parameter	(Sk)	value	of	7.5	applied	to	L&G	bespoke	population	data	to	2019.	The	resulting	initial	rates	are	then	adjusted	
to	reflect	socio-economic	class.	(2020:	smoothing	parameter	(Sk)	value	of	7.5	applied	to	L&G	bespoke	population	data	to	2018).
For individual annuities distributed through retail channels, a further allowance is made for the effect of initial selection. 
The basis above is applicable up to age 90. After age 90 the basis is blended towards a bespoke table from age 105 onwards.
Improvement table is MP2018 for Females and MP2019 for Males (2020: improvement table is MP2018).

7. 

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(ii) Valuation rates of interest and discount rates
The	valuation	interest	rate	used	to	discount	the	cash	flows	for	the	purpose	of	valuing	insurance	contract	liabilities	is	based	on	the	yield	on	the	assets	
backing the contract. 

For annuity business, an explicit allowance for risk is deducted from the yield. The allowance for risk comprises long-term assumptions about defaults on 
a prudent basis or, in the case of lifetime mortgage assets, a prudent expectation of losses arising from the No Negative Equity Guarantee. These allowances 
vary by asset category and for some asset classes by rating. The allowance for risk for government backed bonds equated to 9bps (2020: 9bps) and 43bps 
for corporate bonds and direct investments (2020: 45bps). This is equivalent to a default provision of £3.4 billion at 31 December 2021 (2020: £3.5 billion). 
For lifetime mortgage business, the allowance for risk in respect of lifetime mortgage assets is equivalent to £0.6 billion at 31 December 2021  
(2020: £0.6 billion).

For UK assurance business, a change in methodology was introduced in 2021, to allow for an illiquidity premium in the valuation interest rate calculation. 
Different rates apply depending on whether the liabilities are positive or negative. An appropriate valuation interest rate is applied at all times during the 
projection, i.e. when liabilities switch from being negative to positive the valuation interest rate will also switch from being high to low. The crossover point 
at which the margin changes direction is assessed for broad product groups but applied at a policy by policy level. 

For US assurance business, the valuation interest rate is derived by combining the risk free yield curve (based on US Treasuries) plus a risk adjusted 
spread addition based on the portfolio of assets LGA invest in. It includes prudent adjustments for default and reinvestment risk.

Rate of interest/discount rates

UK Life assurances

UK Pension assurances

US Life assurances

UK	Annuities	–	Fixed

UK	Annuities	–	Index	Linked

US annuities

2021

1.40%–2.52% p.a.

1.40%–2.52% p.a.

1.20%–3.80% p.a.

1.78% p.a.

(1.88%) p.a.

2.62% p.a.

2020

0.72%–2.24%	p.a.

0.25%–2.15%	p.a.

0.80%–2.40%	p.a.

1.28% p.a.

(1.85%) p.a.

2.29% p.a.

(iii) Persistency
The group monitors its persistency experience and carries out detailed investigations annually. Persistency experience can be volatile and past experience 
may not be an appropriate future indicator.

The group tries to balance past experience and potential future conditions by making prudent assumptions about expected long-term average persistency levels.

Where	explicit	persistency	assumptions	are	not	made,	prudence	is	also	incorporated	into	the	liabilities	by	ensuring	that	they	are	sufficient	to	cover	
the more onerous of the two scenarios where the policies either remain in-force until maturity or where they discontinue at the valuation date.

For UK term assurance business, the margin acts to increase the best estimate lapse rate in the early part of a policy’s lifetime (when it is treated as an 
asset) but to reduce the best estimate lapse rate later in the policy’s lifetime (when it is treated as a liability). The crossover point at which the margin 
changes	direction	is	assessed	for	broad	product	groups	but	applied	at	a	policy	by	policy	level.	Any	liability	to	reinsurers	on	discontinuance	within	the	first	
four	years	from	inception	is	allowed	for	explicitly	in	the	cash	flows,	using	the	valuation	lapse	basis,	together	with	a	prudent	allowance	for	clawback	of	
commission from agents upon lapse.

For US term assurance, a single margin is used across guaranteed period durations for a given policy. All US term assurance contracts are assumed to 
lapse at the end of the guaranteed period. Policies past the guaranteed period as of the valuation date are assumed to lapse on the next premium due date.

Lapse rates

UK Level term

UK Decreasing term

UK Accelerated critical illness cover

Pensions term

Whole	of	Life	(conventional	non	profit)

US	term	–	10	year	guarantee	period

US	term	–	15	year	guarantee	period

US	term	–	20	year	guarantee	period

US	term	–	30	year	guarantee	period

US Universal Life

2021

1.6%–34.5%

5.3%–18.0%

2.6%–37.3%

2.3%–3.8%

0.5%–6.1%

5.7%–6.5%

3.4%–4.6%

2.4%–4.9%

1.7%–5.2%

1.9%

2020

2.3%–25.7%

6.1%–14.6%

2.6%–26.4%

2.3%–3.8%

0.5%–6.1%

5.7%–6.5%

3.4%–4.6%

2.4%–4.9%

1.7%–5.2%

1.9%

(iv) Expenses
The group monitors its expense experience and carries out detailed investigations regularly to determine the expenses incurred in writing and administering 
the different products and classes of business. Adjustments may be made for known future changes in the administration processes, in line with the 
group’s	business	plan,	as	well	as	for	changes	in	allocations.	An	allowance	for	expense	inflation	in	the	future	is	also	made	in	line	with	RPI,	taking	account	
of	both	salary	and	price	information.	The	expense	assumptions	and	expense	inflation	assumption	include	an	appropriate	allowance	for	prudence.	

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Balance sheet management continued

19 IFRS sensitivity analysis

Economic sensitivity 

100bps increase in interest rates1

50bps decrease in interest rates1

50bps	increase	in	future	inflation	expectations

Credit spreads widen by 100bps with no change in expected defaults

25% rise in equity markets

25% fall in equity markets

15% rise in property values

15% fall in property values

10bps increase in credit default assumptions

10bps decrease in credit default assumptions

Non-economic sensitivity

1% increase in annuitant mortality

1% decrease in annuitant mortality

5% increase in assurance mortality

10% increase in maintenance expenses 

Impact on
pre-tax
group profit
net of
reinsurance
2021
£m

Impact on
group equity
net of
reinsurance
2021
£m

Impact on
pre-tax
group	profit
net of
reinsurance
2020
£m

Impact on
group equity
net of
reinsurance
2020
£m

55

(77)

(41)

(311)

513

(513)

1,299

(1,368)

(765)

754

166

(170)

(451)

(254)

188

(139)

(60)

(234)

423

(423)

1,084

(1,144)

(651)

642

146

(150)

(357)

(208)

260

(194)

(148)

(304)

482

(482)

1,111

(1,187)

(856)

832

209

(218)

(450)

(254)

350

(227)

(119)

(246)

399

(399)

903

(964)

(692)

672

176

(183)

(356)

(205)

1.	

	Following	improvements	to	the	modelling	of	market	risk	sensitivities	during	the	current	year,	the	2020	impacts	on	pre-tax	group	profit	net	of	reinsurance	under	interest	rates	sensitivities	
have been restated to be on a basis consistent with the 2021 results. These restatements do not impact any items reported in the Consolidated Income Statement or Consolidated 
Balance Sheet.

The	table	above	shows	the	impacts	on	group	pre-tax	profit	and	equity,	net	of	reinsurance,	under	each	sensitivity	scenario.	The	group	pre-tax	profit	and	
equity	impacts	may	arise	from	asset	and/or	liability	movements	under	the	sensitivities.	The	current	disclosure	reflects	management’s	view	of	key	risks	
in current economic conditions.

In calculating the alternative values, all other assumptions are left unchanged. In practice, items of the group’s experience may be correlated.

The sensitivity analyses do not take into account management actions that could be taken to reduce the impacts. The group seeks to actively manage 
its asset and liability position. A change in market conditions may lead to changes in the asset allocation or charging structure which may have a more, 
or	less,	significant	impact	on	the	value	of	the	liabilities.	The	analysis	also	ignores	any	second	order	effects	of	the	assumption	change,	including	the	
potential impact on the group asset and liability position and any second order tax effects.

The	sensitivity	of	profit	to	changes	in	assumptions	may	not	be	linear.	They	should	not	be	extrapolated	to	changes	of	a	much	larger	order.

The	change	in	interest	rate	stress	assumes	a	100	basis	point	increase	and	a	50	basis	point	decrease	in	the	gross	redemption	yield	on	fixed	interest	
securities together with the same change in the real yields on variable securities. Valuation interest rates are assumed to move in line with market yields, 
adjusted to allow for prudence calculated in a manner consistent with the base results.

The	inflation	stress	adopted	is	a	0.5%	per	annum	(p.a.)	increase	in	inflation,	resulting	in	a	0.5%	p.a.	reduction	in	real	yield	and	no	change	to	the	nominal	
yield.	In	addition,	the	expense	inflation	rate	is	increased	by	0.5%	p.a.

In the sensitivity for credit spreads, corporate bond yields have increased by 100bps, gilt and approved security yields unchanged, and there has been 
no adjustment to the default assumptions. All lifetime mortgages are excluded, as their primary exposure is to property risk, and therefore captured 
under the property stress above.

The equity stresses are a 25% rise and 25% fall in listed equity market values.

The property stresses adopted are a 15% rise and 15% fall in property market values including lifetime mortgages. Rental income is assumed to be 
unchanged. Where property is being used to back liabilities, valuation interest rates move with property yields, and so the value of the liabilities will also move.

The credit default assumption is set based on the credit rating of individual bonds and their outstanding term using Moody’s global credit default rates. 
The credit default stress assumes a +/-10bps stress to the current unapproved credit default assumption, which will have an impact on the valuation 
interest rates used to discount liabilities. Other credit default allowances are unchanged. All lifetime mortgages are excluded, as their primary exposure 
is to property risk, and therefore captured under the property stress above.

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The assurance mortality stress is a 5% increase in the mortality and morbidity rates with no change to the mortality and morbidity improvement rates.

The maintenance expense stress is a 10% increase in all types of maintenance expense in future years.

The group is exposed to climate change through two broad categories:

•  Transition risks from the move to a low-carbon economy and the impact this has on asset valuation and the economy; and
• 

 Physical risks from the impact on asset holdings or changes to insurance liabilities as a result of severe weather events and longer-term shifts 
in climate.

Climate change impacts will emerge through risks to which we are already exposed to, with the key existing risk exposures covered by the economic and 
non-economic sensitivities shown in this section. In addition, given the uncertain nature of the risks from climate change, and the lack of historical data 
to	support	decision	making,	a	specific	scenario	testing	approach	over	a	longer	term	time	horizon	has	been	developed	by	the	group	to	manage	the	risks	
from climate change. To understand our exposures and how these risks may emerge we have developed climate scenario modelling capabilities. 
Possible climate pathways and their impact are considered in the climate scenario analysis detailed in the 2021 Climate Report (TCFD).

20 Insurance contract liabilities

Insurance	contracts	are	contracts	which	transfer	significant	insurance	risk	to	the	insurer	at	the	inception	of	the	contract.	This	is	the	case	if,	
and	only	if,	an	insured	event	could	cause	an	insurer	to	make	significant	additional	payments	in	any	scenario,	other	than	a	scenario	which	lacks	
commercial substance. Such contracts remain insurance contracts until all rights and obligations are extinguished or expire. Contracts can be 
reclassified	as	insurance	contracts	after	inception	if	insurance	risk	becomes	significant.	Any	contracts	not	considered	to	be	insurance	contracts	
under	IFRS	are	classified	as	investment	contracts.

Long-term insurance
Death	claims	are	accounted	for	on	notification	of	death.	Surrenders	for	non-linked	policies	are	accounted	for	when	payment	is	made.	Critical	illness	
claims are accounted for when admitted. All other long-term claims and surrenders are accounted for when payment is due. Claims payable 
include the direct costs of settlement.

The	change	in	the	insurance	liability	reflects	the	reduction	in	liabilities	as	claims	are	paid	throughout	the	year,	offset	by	liabilities	arising	from	new	
business.	The	movement	also	reflects	changes	in	expectations	of	future	claims	payments	and	expenses,	plus	changes	in	valuation	interest	rates,	
as set out in Note 18.

Under current IFRS requirements, insurance contract liabilities are measured using local Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), as 
permitted by IFRS 4, ‘Insurance Contracts’.

For non-participating insurance contracts, the liabilities are calculated on the basis of current information using the gross premium valuation 
method. This brings into account the full premiums receivable under contracts written, having prudent regard to expected lapses and surrenders, 
estimated	renewal	and	maintenance	costs,	and	contractually	guaranteed	benefits.	For	unit	linked	insurance	contract	liabilities	the	provision	is	
based on the fund value together with an allowance for any excess of future expenses over charges where appropriate.

Reinsurance
The group’s insurance subsidiaries cede insurance premiums and risk in the normal course of business in order to limit the potential for losses 
and	to	provide	financing.	Outwards	reinsurance	premiums	are	accounted	for	in	the	same	accounting	period	as	the	related	premiums	for	the	direct	
or inwards reinsurance business being reinsured. Reinsurance assets include balances due from reinsurers for paid and unpaid losses and loss 
adjustment	expenses,	ceded	unearned	premiums	and	ceded	future	life	policy	benefits.	Amounts	recoverable	from	reinsurers	are	estimated	
in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policy. Reinsurance is recorded as an asset in the Consolidated 
Balance Sheet unless a right of offset exists, in which case the associated liabilities are reduced commensurately.

Contracts	with	reinsurers	are	assessed	to	determine	whether	they	contain	significant	insurance	risk.	Contracts	that	do	not	give	rise	to	significant	
transfer	of	insurance	risk	to	the	reinsurer	are	considered	to	be	financial	reinsurance	and	are	accounted	for	and	disclosed	in	a	manner	consistent	
with	financial	instruments.

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Balance sheet management continued

20 Insurance contract liabilities continued
(i) Analysis of non-participating insurance contract liabilities

Non-participating insurance contracts

General insurance contracts

Insurance contract liabilities

(ii) Expected non-participating insurance contract liability cash flows

As at 31 December 2021

Non-participating insurance contract liabilities

As at 31 December 2020

Non-participating insurance contract liabilities

Note

20(iii)

Gross
2021
£m

89,755

70

89,825

Reinsurance
2021
£m

(7,138)

(42)

(7,180)

Gross 
2020
£m

Reinsurance 
2020
£m

88,958

71

89,029

(6,936)

–

(6,936)

Undiscounted cash flows

0–5
years
£m

5–15
years
£m

15–25
years
£m

18,603

35,185

23,439

Undiscounted	cash	flows

0–5
years
£m

5–15
years
£m

15–25
years
£m

16,878

32,311

22,259

Over 25
years
£m

22,039

Over 25
years
£m

21,358

Total
£m

99,266

Total
£m

92,806

Non-participating	insurance	contract	undiscounted	cash	flows	are	based	on	the	expected	date	of	settlement.

Amounts	under	unit	linked	contracts	are	generally	repayable	on	demand	and	the	group	is	responsible	for	ensuring	there	is	sufficient	liquidity	within	the	
asset portfolio to enable liabilities to unit linked policyholders to be met as they fall due. However, the terms of funds investing in less liquid assets permit 
the	deferral	of	redemptions	for	predefined	periods	in	circumstances	where	there	are	not	sufficient	liquid	assets	within	the	fund	to	meet	the	level	of	
requested redemptions. Accordingly, unit linked liabilities have been excluded from the table.

(iii) Movement in non-participating insurance contract liabilities

As at 1 January

New liabilities in the year

Liabilities discharged in the year

Unwinding of discount rates 

Effect of change in non-economic assumptions

Effect of change in economic assumptions

Foreign exchange adjustments

Modelling and methodology changes

Other

Disposals 

As at 31 December

Expected to be settled within 12 months (net of reinsurance)

Expected to be settled after 12 months (net of reinsurance)

Reinsurance
2021
£m

(6,936)

(1,296)

390

(141)

408

519

(12)

6

(76)

–

(7,138)

Gross
2021
£m

88,958

6,976

(4,744)

1,250

(787)

(1,971)

(35)

37

71

–

89,755

1,838

80,779

Reinsurance
2020
£m

(5,970)

(1,223)

652

(102)

120

(492)

51

8

(3)

23

(6,936)

Gross
2020
£m

78,715

9,316

(4,595)

1,530

(835)

5,975

(231)

(49)

(31)

(837)

88,958

1,339

80,683

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21 Investment contract liabilities

Non-participating investment contract liabilities are measured at fair value. For unit linked liabilities, fair value is determined by reference to the 
value of the underlying net asset values of the group’s unitised investment funds at the balance sheet date. For non-linked liabilities, fair value is 
based	on	a	discounted	cash	flow	analysis	which	incorporates	an	appropriate	allowance	for	credit	default	risk.	

Deposits collected and claims are not included in the income statement but are added or deducted from investment contract liabilities.

(i) Analysis of non-participating investment contract liabilities

Non-participating investment contract liabilities

Expected to be settled within 12 months (net of reinsurance)

Expected to be settled after 12 months (net of reinsurance)

Gross
2021
£m

Reinsurance
2021
£m

Gross
2020
£m

Reinsurance
2020
£m

372,954

45,483

327,471

–

343,543 

44,878

298,662

(3)

Amounts	under	unit	linked	contracts	are	generally	repayable	on	demand	and	the	group	is	responsible	for	ensuring	there	is	sufficient	liquidity	within	the	
asset portfolio to enable liabilities to unit linked policyholders to be met as they fall due. However, the terms of funds investing in less liquid assets permit 
the	deferral	of	redemptions	for	predefined	periods	in	circumstances	where	there	are	not	sufficient	liquid	assets	within	the	fund	to	meet	the	level	of	
requested redemptions.

The	presented	fair	values	of	the	non-participating	investment	contract	liabilities	reflect	quoted	prices	in	active	markets	and	they	have	been	classified	as	
Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

(ii) Movement in non-participating investment contract liabilities

As at 1 January 

Reserves in respect of new business

Amounts paid on surrenders and maturities during the year

Investment	return	and	related	benefits¹

Management charges

Disposals²

Total as at 31 December

Gross
2021
£m

Reinsurance
2021
£m

Gross
2020
£m

Reinsurance
2020
£m

343,543

55,434

(60,132)

34,206

(97)

–

372,954

(3)

–

3

–

–

–

–

343,845

43,407

(53,407)

30,579

(180)

(20,701)

343,543

(149)

(1)

4

(3)

–

146

(3)

1.		 Investment	return	and	related	benefits	is	disclosed	on	a	total	basis	including	discontinued	operations.	In	the	Consolidated	Income	Statement,	the	investment	return	for	discontinued	

operations	is	included	within	‘Profit	after	tax	from	discontinued	operations’.

2.		 Full	year	2020	relates	to	the	Mature	Savings	profit	on	disposal,	the	sale	of	which	completed	on	7	September	2020.

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Balance sheet management continued

22 Borrowings

Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, net of transaction costs. Borrowings are subsequently stated at amortised cost. The difference 
between the net proceeds and the redemption value is recognised in the income statement over the borrowing period using the effective interest 
rate method.

Borrowings comprise core borrowings such as subordinated Tier 2 bond issues, long-term unsecured senior debt and operational borrowings such as 
commercial paper issuance and bank borrowings under both committed and uncommitted debt facilities, including bank overdrafts. Borrowings secured 
on	specific	assets/cash	flows	are	included	as	non-recourse	borrowings.

(i) Analysis by type

Core borrowings

Operational borrowings

Total borrowings

Borrowings
excluding 
unit linked
borrowings
2021 
£m

4,256

924

5,180

Unit linked
borrowings
2021 
£m

–

8

8

Borrowings
excluding 
unit linked
borrowings
2020 
£m

4,558

1,045

5,603

Unit linked
borrowings
2020 
£m

–

10

10

Total 
2021 
£m

4,256

932

5,188

Total 
2020 
£m

4,558

1,055

5,613

£229m of interest expense was incurred during the year (2020: £233m) on borrowings excluding non-recourse and unit linked borrowings. The total 
finance	costs	incurred	in	the	year	were	£294m	(2020:	£305m),	which	also	includes	£10m	of	finance	costs	on	lease	liabilities	(2020:	£11m).

(ii) Analysis by nature
(a) Core borrowings

Subordinated borrowings

10%	Sterling	subordinated	notes	2041	(Tier	2)¹

5.5% Sterling subordinated notes 2064 (Tier 2)

5.375% Sterling subordinated notes 2045 (Tier 2)

5.25% US Dollar subordinated notes 2047 (Tier 2)

5.55% US Dollar subordinated notes 2052 (Tier 2)

5.125% Sterling subordinated notes 2048 (Tier 2)

3.75% Sterling subordinated notes 2049 (Tier 2)

4.5% Sterling subordinated notes 2050 (Tier 2)

Client fund holdings of group debt (Tier 2)2

Total subordinated borrowings

Senior borrowings

Sterling	medium-term	notes	2031–2041

Client fund holdings of group debt2

Total senior borrowings

Total core borrowings

Carrying 
amount 
2021
£m

Coupon  
rate 
2021
%

–

590

604

635

373

400

598

500

(44)

3,656

609

(9)

600

4,256

–

5.50

5.38

5.25

5.55

5.13

3.75

4.50

–

–

5.87

–

–

–

Fair 
value 
2021
£m

–

776

673

694

428

461

632

558

(51)

4,171

846

(11)

835

5,006

Carrying 
amount 
2020
£m

313

589

604

628

369

400

598

499

(42)

3,958

609

(9)

600

4,558

Coupon 
rate 
2020
%

10.00

5.50

5.38

5.25

5.55

5.13

3.75

4.50

–

–

5.88

–

–

–

Fair  
value 
2020
£m

329

813

714

703

411

484

662

587

(51)

4,652

926

(12)

914

5,566

1.   These notes were redeemed in full on 23 July 2021.
2.		 £53m	(31	December	2020:	£51m)	of	the	group’s	subordinated	and	senior	borrowings	are	held	by	Legal	&	General	customers	through	unit	linked	products.	These	borrowings	are	shown	

as a deduction from total core borrowings in the table above.

The	presented	fair	values	of	the	group’s	core	borrowings	reflect	quoted	prices	in	active	markets	and	they	have	been	classified	as	Level	1	in	the	fair	
value hierarchy.

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Other information

Subordinated borrowings
10% Sterling subordinated notes 2041
In	2009,	Legal	&	General	Group	Plc	issued	£300m	of	10%	dated	subordinated	notes.	These	notes	were	called	at	par	on	23	July	2021.

5.5% Sterling subordinated notes 2064
In	2014,	Legal	&	General	Group	Plc	issued	£600m	of	5.5%	dated	subordinated	notes.	The	notes	are	callable	at	par	on	27	June	2044	and	every	five	years	
thereafter.	If	not	called,	the	coupon	from	27	June	2044	will	be	reset	to	the	prevailing	five	year	benchmark	gilt	yield	plus	3.17%	p.a.	These	notes	mature	
on 27 June 2064.

5.375% Sterling subordinated notes 2045
In	2015,	Legal	&	General	Group	Plc	issued	£600m	of	5.375%	dated	subordinated	notes.	The	notes	are	callable	at	par	on	27	October	2025	and	every	five	
years	thereafter.	If	not	called,	the	coupon	from	27	October	2025	will	be	reset	to	the	prevailing	five	year	benchmark	gilt	yield	plus	4.58%	p.a.	These	notes	
mature on 27 October 2045.

5.25% US Dollar subordinated notes 2047
On	21	March	2017,	Legal	&	General	Group	Plc	issued	$850m	of	5.25%	dated	subordinated	notes.	The	notes	are	callable	at	par	on	21	March	2027	
and	every	five	years	thereafter.	If	not	called,	the	coupon	from	21	March	2027	will	be	reset	to	the	prevailing	US	Dollar	mid-swap	rate	plus	3.687%	p.a.	
These notes mature on 21 March 2047.

5.55% US Dollar subordinated notes 2052
On	24	April	2017,	Legal	&	General	Group	Plc	issued	$500m	of	5.55%	dated	subordinated	notes.	The	notes	are	callable	at	par	on	24	April	2032	and	every	
five	years	thereafter.	If	not	called,	the	coupon	from	24	April	2032	will	be	reset	to	the	prevailing	US	Dollar	mid-swap	rate	plus	4.19%	p.a.	These	notes	
mature on 24 April 2052.

5.125% Sterling subordinated notes 2048
On	14	November	2018,	Legal	&	General	Group	Plc	issued	£400m	of	5.125%	dated	subordinated	notes.	The	notes	are	callable	at	par	on	14	November	2028	
and	every	five	years	thereafter.	If	not	called,	the	coupon	from	14	November	2028	will	be	reset	to	the	prevailing	five	year	benchmark	gilt	yield	plus	4.65%	p.a.	
These notes mature on 14 November 2048.

3.75% Sterling subordinated notes 2049
On	26	November	2019,	Legal	&	General	Group	Plc	issued	£600m	of	3.75%	dated	subordinated	notes.	The	notes	are	callable	at	par	on	26	November	2029	
and	every	five	years	thereafter.	If	not	called,	the	coupon	from	26	November	2029	will	be	reset	to	the	prevailing	five	year	benchmark	gilt	yield	plus	4.05%	p.a.	
These notes mature on 26 November 2049.

4.5% Sterling subordinated notes 2050 
On	1	May	2020,	Legal	&	General	Group	Plc	issued	£500m	of	4.5%	dated	subordinated	notes.	The	notes	are	callable	at	par	on	1	November	2030	and	
every	five	years	thereafter.	If	not	called,	the	coupon	from	1	November	2030	will	be	reset	to	the	prevailing	five	year	benchmark	gilt	yield	plus	5.25%	p.a.	
These notes mature on 1 November 2050.

All of the above subordinated notes are treated as Tier 2 own funds for Solvency II purposes unless stated otherwise.

Senior borrowings
Between	2000	and	2002	Legal	&	General	Finance	Plc	issued	£600m	of	senior	unsecured	Sterling	medium	term	notes	2031-2041	at	coupons	between	
5.75% and 5.875%. These notes have various maturity dates between 2031 and 2041.

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Balance sheet management continued

22 Borrowings continued
(ii) Analysis by nature continued 
(b) Operational borrowings

Short-term operational borrowings

Euro Commercial Paper

Bank loans and overdrafts

Non-recourse borrowings

Cardiff Interchange Limited

Later Living portfolio

CALA revolving credit facility

Class B Surplus Notes

Affordable Homes revolving credit facility

Homes Modular revolving credit facility

Operational borrowings1

Carrying
amount
2021
£m

Interest
rate
2021
%

50

–

45

–

100

664

56

9

924

0.16

–

2.29

–

1.96

1.72

2.08

3.27

–

Fair 
value
2021
£m

50

–

45

–

100

664

56

9

924

Carrying
amount
2020
£m

Interest
rate
2020
%

50

54

–

72

170

639

60

–

1,045

0.78

–

–

2.77

2.95

2.45

2.13

–

–

Fair 
value
2020
£m

50

54

–

72

170

639

60

–

1,045

1  Unit linked borrowings with a carrying value of £8m (31 December 2020: £10m) are excluded from the analysis above as the risk is retained by policyholders. Operational borrowings 

including unit linked borrowings are £932m (31 December 2020: £1,055m).

Non-recourse borrowings
•  Cardiff Interchange Limited entered into a debt facility agreement with National Westminster Bank Plc. The facility is secured on the assets of Cardiff 

Interchange Limited and LGCIL’s shares in, and intercompany debt owed by, Cardiff Interchange Limited. 

•  Loan facilities to Later Living portfolio had a charge on all assets of each individual SPV company.
•  CALA	Group	(Holdings)	Limited’s	revolving	credit	facility	is	secured	by	way	of	a	bond	and	floating	charge,	and	guarantees	and	fixed	charges	granted	

by CALA Group Limited and its main subsidiaries (CALA 1999 Limited, CALA Limited, and CALA Management Limited). A number of other bonds and 
floating	charges,	fixed	securities,	debentures	and	share	pledges	over	land	and	assets	have	been	granted	by	certain	subsidiaries	of	CALA	Group	
Limited in favour of the lenders.

•  The Class B Surplus Notes have been issued by a US subsidiary of the group as part of a coinsurance structure for the purpose of US statutory 

regulations.	The	notes	were	issued	in	exchange	for	bonds	of	the	same	value	from	an	unrelated	party,	included	within	financial	investments	on	the	
group’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.

•  The revolving credit facility to Affordable Homes is subject to agreed covenants, the breach of which could result in a charge on the land and work 

in	progress	of	Legal	&	General	Affordable	Homes	(Development	2)	Limited.	

•  Legal	&	General	Homes	Modular	Limited’s	revolving	credit	facility	is	secured	by	way	of	fixed	charges	over	development	properties	owned	by	the	
company	and	a	fixed	charge	over	the	shares	in	the	company.	There	are	also	fixed	and	floating	charges	over	the	other	assets	of	the	company.

The	carrying	value	of	operational	borrowings	approximates	their	fair	value.	The	presented	fair	values	reflect	observable	market	information	and	have	
been	classified	as	Level	2	in	the	fair	value	hierarchy	with	the	exception	of	Affordable	Homes	revolving	credit	facilities	which	have	been	classified	as	
Level 3.

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Other information

Maturity profile of undiscounted cash flows

Carrying
amount
£m

Within
1 year
£m

1–5
years
£m

5–15
years
£m

590

604

635

373

400

598

500

609

(53)

4,256

–

(6)

(9)

(4)

(3)

(2)

(4)

(11)

–

(39)

50

(50)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

45

100

664

56

9

924

5,180

–

(6)

–

(56)

–

(112)

(151)

(202)

(353)

(45)

(94)

–

–

(9)

(148)

(148)

(924)

(1,072)

15–25
years
£m

–

(600)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(590)

–

(590)

(10)

–

(610)

–

–

–

–

–

–

(468)

(198)

–

–

(468)

(1,058)

(2,132)

(3,190)

–

–

(198)

(808)

(1,840)

(2,648)

Over
25 years
£m

(600)

–

(628)

(370)

(400)

(600)

(500)

–

–

Total
£m

(600)

(606)

(637)

(374)

(403)

(602)

(504)

(611)

–

(3,098)

(4,337)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(3,098)

(889)

(50)

(45)

(100)

(666)

(56)

(9)

(926)

(5,263)

(5,987)

(3,987)

(11,250)

(iii) Analysis by maturity 

As at 31 December 2021

Subordinated borrowings

5.5% Sterling subordinated notes 2064 (Tier 2)

5.375% Sterling subordinated notes 2045 (Tier 2)

5.25% US Dollar subordinated notes 2047 (Tier 2)

5.55% US Dollar subordinated notes 2052 (Tier 2)

5.125% Sterling subordinated notes 2048 (Tier 2)

3.75% Sterling subordinated notes 2049 (Tier 2)

4.5% Sterling subordinated notes 2050 (Tier 2)

Senior borrowings

Sterling	medium-term	notes	2031–2041

Client fund holdings of group debt

Total core borrowings

Short-term operational borrowings

Euro Commercial Paper

Non-recourse borrowings

Cardiff Interchange Limited

CALA revolving credit facility

Class B Surplus Notes

Affordable Homes revolving credit facility

Homes Modular revolving credit facility

Total operational borrowings

Total borrowings excluding unit linked borrowings1

Contractual undiscounted interest payments

Total contractual undiscounted cash flows

1.   Unit linked borrowings are excluded from the analysis above as the risk is retained by policyholders.

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Balance sheet management continued

22 Borrowings continued
(iii) Analysis by maturity continued

As at 31 December 2020

Subordinated borrowings

10% Sterling subordinated notes 2041 (Tier 2)

5.5% Sterling subordinated notes 2064 (Tier 2)

5.375% Sterling subordinated notes 2045 (Tier 2)

5.25% US Dollar subordinated notes 2047 (Tier 2)

5.55% US Dollar subordinated notes 2052 (Tier 2)

5.125% Sterling subordinated notes 2048 (Tier 2)

3.75% Sterling subordinated notes 2049 (Tier 2)

4.5% Sterling subordinated notes 2050 (Tier 2)

Senior borrowings

Sterling medium-term notes 2031-2041

Client fund holdings of group debt

Total core borrowings

Short-term operational borrowings

Euro Commercial Paper

Bank loans and overdrafts

Non-recourse borrowings

Later Living portfolio

CALA revolving credit facility

Class B Surplus Notes

Affordable Homes revolving credit facility 

Total operational borrowings

Total borrowings excluding unit linked borrowings1

Contractual undiscounted interest payments

Total	contractual	undiscounted	cash	flows

Maturity	profile	of	undiscounted	cash	flows

Carrying
amount
£m

Within
1 year
£m

1–5
years
£m

5–15
years
£m

313

589

604

628

369

400

598

499

609

(51)

4,558

50

54

72

170

639

60

1,045

5,603

(13)

–

(6)

(9)

(4)

(3)

(2)

(4)

(11)

–

(52)

(50)

(54)

(72)

(91)

(26)

(1)

(294)

(346)

(223)

(569)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(80)

(91)

(60)

(231)

(231)

(1,414)

(1,645)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(590)

–

(590)

–

–

–

–

(186)

–

(186)

(776)

(2,489)

(3,265)

15–25
years
£m

(300)

–

(600)

–

–

–

–

–

(10)

–

(910)

–

–

–

–

(338)

–

(338)

(1,248)

(1,981)

(3,229)

Over
25 years
£m

–

(600)

–

(622)

(366)

(400)

(600)

(500)

–

–

Total
£m

(313)

(600)

(606)

(631)

(370)

(403)

(602)

(504)

(611)

–

(3,088)

(4,640)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(3,088)

(885)

(3,973)

(50)

(54)

(72)

(171)

(641)

(61)

(1,049)

(5,689)

(6,992)

(12,681)

1.  Unit linked borrowings are excluded from the analysis above as the risk is retained by policyholders.

The	maturity	profile	above	is	calculated	on	the	basis	that	a	facility	to	refinance	a	maturing	loan	is	not	recognised	unless	the	facility	and	loan	are	related.	
If	refinancing	under	the	group’s	credit	facilities	was	recognised,	then	all	amounts	shown	as	repayable	within	one	year	would	be	reclassified	as	repayable	
between	one	and	five	years.

Undiscounted interest payments are estimated based on the year end applicable interest rate and spot exchange rates.

Syndicated Credit Facility
As at 31 December 2021, the group had in place a £1bn syndicated committed revolving credit facility provided by a number of its key relationship banks, 
maturing in December 2024. No amounts were outstanding at 31 December 2021.

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(iv) Movement in borrowings

As at 1 January

Cash movements:

–	Proceeds	from	borrowings

–	Repayment	of	borrowings

–	Net	(decrease)/increase	in	bank	loans	and	overdrafts

Non-cash movements:

–	Amortisation

–	Foreign	exchange	rate	movements

–	Other

2021
£m

5,613

503

(798)

(54)

3

10

(89)

2020
£m

5,140

1,022

(501)

64

2

(56)

(58)

Core and operational borrowings as at 31 December 

5,188

5,613

23 Provisions

Provisions	are	recognised	when	the	group	has	a	present	legal	or	constructive	obligation	as	a	result	of	past	events,	it	is	probable	that	an	outflow	of	
resources	embodying	economic	benefits	will	be	required	to	settle	the	obligation	and	a	reliable	estimate	of	the	amount	of	the	obligation	can	be	made.	
Where the group expects a provision to be reimbursed, for example under an insurance contract, the reimbursement is recognised as a separate 
asset	but	only	when	the	reimbursement	is	virtually	certain.	The	group	recognises	a	provision	for	onerous	contracts	when	the	expected	benefits	
to be derived from a contract are less than the unavoidable costs of meeting the obligations under the contract. 

The	group	operates	a	number	of	defined	benefit	and	defined	contribution	pension	schemes	in	the	UK	and	overseas.	The	assets	of	all	UK	defined	
benefit	schemes	are	held	in	separate	trustee	administered	funds	which	are	subject	to	regular	actuarial	valuations	every	three	years,	updated	by	
formal reviews at reporting dates. The actuarial assumptions used in the triennial valuation would normally be consistent or more prudent than 
those	used	for	the	purposes	of	IAS	19,	‘Employee	Benefits’	reporting.

The	liability	recognised	in	the	Consolidated	Balance	Sheet	in	respect	of	the	defined	benefit	pension	schemes	is	the	present	value	of	the	defined	benefit	
obligation at the balance sheet date less the fair value of plan assets, provided any surplus in the Fund and Scheme is not restricted. Plan assets 
exclude	the	insurance	contracts	issued	by	the	group.	The	defined	benefit	obligation	is	calculated	actuarially	each	year	using	the	projected	unit	
method.	The	present	value	of	the	defined	benefit	obligation	is	determined	by	discounting	the	estimated	future	cash	outflows.	The	discount	rate	
is	based	on	market	yields	of	high	quality	corporate	bonds	which	are	denominated	in	the	currency	in	which	the	benefits	will	be	paid,	and	that	have	
terms to maturity which approximate to those of the related pension liability. 

The	group	pays	contractual	contributions	in	respect	of	defined	contribution	schemes.	The	group	has	no	further	payment	obligations	once	the	
contributions	have	been	paid.	The	contributions	are	recognised	as	employee	benefit	expenses	when	they	are	due.	Prepaid	contributions	are	
recognised as an asset to the extent that a cash refund or a reduction in future payments is available.

(i) Analysis of provisions

Other provisions

Retirement	benefit	obligations

Provisions

2021
£m

213

1,025

1,238

2020
£m

123

1,165

1,288

(ii) Other provisions
Included	within	Other	provisions	are	amounts	relating	to	new	and	existing	M&A	and	restructuring	transactions.	In	2021,	the	group	announced	that	Legal	
&	General	Investment	Management	(LGIM)	is	extending	its	existing	partnership	with	State	Street,	to	increase	the	use	of	Charles	River	technology	across	
the	front	office	and	to	deliver	middle	office	services	going	forward.

As a result of this announcement, in line with the requirements of IAS 37, ‘Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets’, a provision was 
recognised,	which	reflects	the	costs	that	LGIM	is	committed	to	incur	in	order	to	implement	the	new	arrangement.	These	costs	include	the	transfer	
of data and operations to State Street, as well as the implementation of the new operating model. The amounts included in the provision have been 
determined on a best estimate basis by reference to a range of plausible scenarios, taking into account the multi-year implementation period for the 
project. As at 31 December 2021, the outstanding provision was £89m.

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Balance sheet management continued

23 Provisions continued
(iii) Retirement benefit obligations
Defined contribution schemes
The	group	operates	the	following	principal	defined	contribution	pension	schemes	in	the	UK	and	overseas:
•  Legal	&	General	Group	Personal	Pension	Plan	(UK);
•  Legal	&	General	Staff	Stakeholder	Pension	Scheme	(UK);
•  Legal	&	General	America	Inc.	Savings	Plan	(US);	and
•  CALA	defined	contribution	pension	scheme.

Contributions	of	£82m	(2020:	£75m)	were	made	during	the	year	in	respect	of	defined	contribution	schemes.

Defined benefit schemes 
The	group	operates	the	following	defined	benefit	pension	schemes	in	the	UK	and	overseas:
•  Legal	&	General	Group	UK	Pension	and	Assurance	Fund	(the	Fund).	The	Fund	was	closed	to	new	members	from	January	1995;	the	latest	triennial	

valuation at 31 December 2018 was completed on 1 July 2020. The triennial valuation at 31 December 2021 is in progress;

•  Legal	&	General	Group	UK	Senior	Pension	Scheme	(the	Scheme).	The	Scheme	was,	with	a	few	exceptions	(principally	transfers	from	the	Fund),	

closed	to	new	members	from	August	2000	and	finally	closed	to	new	members	from	April	2007;	the	latest	triennial	valuation	at	31	December	2018	
was completed on 1 July 2020. The triennial valuation at 31 December 2021 is in progress;

•  Legal	&	General	America	Inc.	Cash	Balance	Plan	(US);	the	last	full	actuarial	valuation	was	as	at	31	December	2021;	and
•  CALA	Retirement	and	Death	Benefits	Scheme	(UK).	This	scheme	closed	to	new	members	from	31	December	2007	and	closed	to	future	accrual	

on 31 December 2018; the last triennial actuarial valuation was as at 6 April 2018. The triennial valuation at 6 April 2021 is in progress.

The	UK	defined	benefit	schemes	operate	within	the	UK	pensions’	regulatory	framework.

Certain	of	the	following	disclosures	have	only	been	presented	in	relation	to	the	Fund	and	Scheme,	as	they	represent	the	most	significant	defined	benefit	
scheme obligations.

The UK Fund and Scheme were closed to future accrual on 31 December 2015. As part of this arrangement, payments to the Fund and Scheme in respect 
of	future	accruals	ceased	from	this	date	and	were	replaced	with	a	company	contribution	payment	of	between	5%	and	15%	into	a	defined	contribution	
arrangement.	In	addition,	as	part	of	the	closure,	the	company	will	contribute	an	additional	£3m	per	annum	until	31	December	2024	towards	the	deficit.

The	assets	of	all	UK	defined	benefit	schemes	are	held	in	separate	trustee	administered	funds	to	meet	long-term	pension	obligations	to	past	and	present	
employees.	Trustees	are	appointed	to	the	schemes	and	have	a	responsibility	to	act	in	the	best	interest	of	the	scheme	beneficiaries.	The	trustees’	
long-term	objectives	are	to	minimise	the	risk	that	there	are	insufficient	assets	to	meet	the	liabilities	of	the	scheme	over	the	longer	term,	control	the	
on-going	operational	costs	of	the	schemes	and	to	maximise	investment	returns	for	the	beneficiaries	within	an	acceptable	level	of	risk.	

The total number of members of the Fund and Scheme was: 

Employed deferreds

Deferreds

Pensioners

Total

2021

79

2,782

3,791

6,652

2020

93

2,960

3,723

6,776

The group works closely with the trustees to develop an investment strategy for each UK scheme in order to meet the long-term objectives of the 
trustees as noted above. 

Certain parts of the liabilities of the Fund and Scheme are secured by way of annuities purchased from the group. These annuities are not recognised 
as an asset for IAS 19 purposes, but at 31 December 2021 the value of these annuities, on an IAS 19 basis, was £990m (2020: £1,051m). 

The remainder of the liabilities of the Fund and Scheme are secured by cash or by the way of Assured Payment Policies (APPs), purchased from the 
group	to	match	the	majority	of	future	expected	cash	flows	of	the	remaining	members	of	the	Fund	and	Scheme.	The	APPs	are	recognised	as	an	asset	
for IAS 19 purposes, and their value is included in the table summarising the plan assets. The APPs aim to match the changes in the value of the liabilities 
due	to	changes	in	economic	factors,	namely	interest	rates,	credit	spreads	and	inflation.	The	APPs	do	not	aim	to	match	changes	in	the	value	of	liabilities	
due to the actual mortality experience of members being different from the assumptions made in the valuation basis.

The Fund and Scheme expose the group to a number of risks:

Risk

Detail

Uncertainty in  
benefit	payments

The	value	of	the	group’s	liabilities	for	post-retirement	benefits	will	ultimately	depend	on	the	amount	of	benefits	paid	out.	This	in	turn	will	primarily	depend	
on	the	level	of	inflation	and	how	long	individuals	live.

Volatility in  
asset values

The	group	is	exposed	to	future	movements	in	the	values	of	assets	held	in	the	Fund	and	Scheme	to	meet	future	benefit	payments.

Uncertainty in  
cash funding

Movements in the values of the obligations or assets may result in the group being required to provide higher levels of cash funding, although changes 
in the level of cash required can often be spread over a number of years. In addition, the group is also exposed to adverse changes in pension regulation.

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These risks are managed within the risk appetite of the Fund and Scheme. The sensitivity of the net obligations to changes in any of the variables are 
monitored and action is taken if any risk moves outside of the appetite.

Full actuarial valuations are carried out for the Fund and Scheme every three years, updated by formal reviews at each anniversary date between. The actuarial 
assumptions used in the triennial valuation would normally be more prudent than those used for the purposes of IAS 19 reporting. The latest triennial 
valuation at 31 December 2018 was completed on 1 July 2020, and the 31 December 2021 triennial valuation is underway. Where the Fund or Scheme 
are	in	deficit	following	the	triennial	valuations,	the	group	and	the	trustee	agree	a	deficit	recovery	plan.	Both	the	Fund	and	Scheme	have	formal	deficit	
recovery	plans	which	aim	to	eliminate	the	deficits	over	a	certain	period	of	time.	The	triennial	valuation	at	31	December	2018	showed	a	total	funding	
deficit	for	both	the	Fund	and	Scheme	of	£541m.	As	a	result	of	this,	a	recovery	plan	was	agreed	of	£77m	per	annum	from	1	January	2019	to	30	June	2020,	
£98m per annum from 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2024 and a one-off catch-up payment of £33m by 31 July 2020. 

The Fund and Scheme liabilities have an average duration of 17.8 years (2020: 19.0 years) and 16.9 years (2020: 18.4 years) respectively. The expected 
undiscounted	benefits	payments	to	members	of	the	Fund	and	Scheme,	including	pensions	in	payment	secured	by	annuities	purchased	from	the	group,	
are shown in the unaudited chart below:

Undiscounted benefit payments
Projected benefit payments (£m)

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

2022

2032

2042

2052

2062

2072

2082

Annuity payments

Pensioner cash flows

Employed deferred and deferred member cash flows

The	benefits	paid	from	the	defined	benefit	schemes	are	based	on	percentages	of	the	employees’	final	pensionable	salary	for	each	year	of	credited	service.	
The	group	has	no	liability	for	retirement	benefits	other	than	for	pensions.	The	Fund	and	Scheme	account	for	all	of	the	UK	and	over	90%	of	worldwide	
assets	of	the	group’s	defined	benefit	schemes.

The	principal	actuarial	assumptions	for	the	Fund	and	Scheme	are	set	out	below.	In	2021,	the	calculation	of	IAS	19	defined	benefit	obligations	was	performed	
within the group, having previously been performed by an external consultancy. The methodology underlying the assumption setting has remained 
unchanged,	but	for	inflation	and	mortality	improvements,	assumptions	have	been	set	consistently	with	assumptions	used	in	the	calculation	of	other	
insurance	liabilities	within	the	group.	The	overall	impact	of	this	change	to	assumptions	is	a	small	increase	in	defined	benefit	obligation.

The higher mortality experience observed in 2021 as a result of Covid-19 is considered to be exceptional, and long-term mortality assumptions have not 
been	revised	to	reflect	this	experience.

Rate used to discount liabilities

Rate of increase in pensions in payment (pre-2006 service)

Rate of increase in deferred pensions (pre-2006 service)

Rate	of	general	inflation	(RPI)

Fund and
Scheme
2021
% 

1.84

3.79

3.97

3.49

Fund and
Scheme
2020
% 

1.25

3.59

3.63

2.97

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Balance sheet management continued

23 Provisions continued
(iii) Retirement benefit obligations continued
Defined contribution schemes continued

Post retirement mortality

Fund

Scheme

Mortality Improvements (Fund and Scheme)1, 2

2021

2020

72.5% PCMA00/82.5% PCFA00

75% PCMA00/85% PCFA00

67.5% PCMA00/77.5% PCFA00

70% PCMA00/80% PCFA00

CMI 2019, base date 2018
Sk = 7.5

CMI 2018, base date 2015
Sk = 7.5

1.   Long-term rates of 1.5% for males, 1.0% for females, applying up to age 85, with tapering down to 0% by age 110 (2020: long-term rates of 1.5% males and 1.0% females to age 90, tapering 

to nil by age 120).

2.   In 2020, an approximation of the full longevity basis was used as the calculation of liabilities was outsourced. The full basis has been used in 2021.

This equates to average life expectancy as follows:

Normal retirement age

Male life expectancy at retirement age

Female life expectancy at retirement age

Male life expectancy at age 60, for a current 40-year old

Female life expectancy at age 60, for a current 40-year old

Fund and
Scheme
20211
years

Fund and
Scheme
2020
years

60.0

87.2

88.4

89.3

89.8

60.0

87.5

88.8

89.6

90.1

1.  Differences between 2020 and 2021 life expectancies arise from the approximation in the 2020 longevity basis due to the outsourced liability calculation.

Movement in present value of defined benefit obligations

As at 1 January

Current service cost

Interest expense

Actuarial remeasurement (recognised in Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income)

–	Change	in	financial	assumptions

–	Change	in	demographic	assumptions

–	Experience

Benefits	paid

Exchange differences

As at 31 December

Movement in fair value of plan assets

As at 1 January

Expected return on plan assets at liability discount rate

Actuarial remeasurement (recognised in Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income)

Employer contributions

Benefits	paid

Exchange differences

As at 31 December

Gross pension obligations included in provisions

Annuity obligations insured by LGAS

Gross	defined	benefit	pension	deficit

Deferred	tax	on	defined	benefit	pension	deficit

Net	defined	benefit	pension	deficit

Fund and
Scheme
2021
£m

CALA Homes
and Overseas
2021
£m

Fund and
Scheme
2020
£m

CALA Homes
and Overseas
2020
£m

(2,615)

(153)

(2,375)

(135)

(2)

(32)

194

(19)

23

103

–

(4)

(3)

11

–

(1)

6

(1)

(2)

(48)

(350)

24

8

128

–

(3)

(4)

(17)

–

(2)

6

2

(2,348)

(145)

(2,615)

(153)

1,477

126

18

(165)

101

(103)

–

1,328

(1,020)

990

(30)

8

(22)

2

10

8

(6)

–

140

(5)

–

(5)

1

(4)

1,292

27

159

127

(128)

–

1,477

(1,138)

1,051

(87)

17

(70)

111

2

10

10

(6)

(1)

126

(27)

–

(27)

5

(22)

During 2021 annuities were purchased from the group. A premium of £82m (2020: £50m) was paid from the assets of the Fund and the Scheme to purchase 
these annuities. These annuities are not recognised as an asset for IAS 19 purposes and so the actuarial remeasurement recognised in the Consolidated 
Statement of Comprehensive Income includes allowance for this premium payment as well as annuity receipts over 2021 of £53m (2020: £53m).

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The effect of assuming reasonable alternative assumptions in isolation is shown below for the Fund and Scheme combined. The effect is shown on the 
defined	benefit	obligation,	net	of	annuities	and	the	APP	assets.	Sensitivities	are	broadly	symmetrical,	but	larger	sensitivities	are	not	necessarily	
proportionate.	In	2021,	a	large	APP	asset	was	purchased	by	the	Fund,	significantly	reducing	the	sensitivity	of	the	defined	benefit	obligation	to	
movements	in	discount	rates	and	inflation.

1 year increase in life expectancy

0.1% p.a. decrease in discount rate

0.1% p.a. increase in RPI and CPI

The fair value of the plan assets at the end of the year is made up as follows:

As at 31 December 2021

Equities

Bonds

Investment funds

Properties

Assured	Payment	Policy¹

Cash and cash equivalents

Fair value of plan assets

As at 31 December 2020

Equities

Bonds

Investment funds

Properties

Assured Payment Policy2

Cash and cash equivalents

Fair value of plan assets

2021
£m

(76)

(6)

(3)

2020
£m

(92)

(27)

(14)

Valuation based on  
quoted market price

Fund and 
Scheme
£m

CALA Homes 
and Overseas
£m

Valuation based on other 
than quoted market price

Fund and 
Scheme
£m

CALA Homes 
and Overseas
£m

–

–

–

–

–

114

114

37

12

59

16

–

16

140

–

–

–

–

1,214

–

1,214

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Valuation based on  
quoted market price

Fund and 
Scheme
£m

CALA Homes 
and Overseas
£m

Valuation based on other 
than quoted market price

Fund and 
Scheme
£m

CALA Homes 
and Overseas
£m

22

–

1,029

–

–

30

1,081

27

12

72

3

–

12

126

–

–

–

–

396

–

396

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1.   During the year, the Fund completed an APP transaction with Legal and General Assurance Society Limited (LGAS), a group company, resulting in a premium paid by the Fund of £925m. 

The	plan	asset	recognised	is	transferable	and	therefore	has	not	been	eliminated	on	consolidation	within	the	group’s	financial	statements.	

2.   In 2020, the Scheme completed an APP transaction with LGAS, a group company, resulting in a premium paid by the Scheme of £397m. The plan asset recognised is transferable and 

therefore	has	not	been	eliminated	on	consolidation	within	the	group’s	financial	statements.

The bond assets are all AAA rated as at 31 December 2021 (31 December 2020: AAA rated).

Employer contributions of £109m (2020: £137m) have been made during 2021. Employer contributions of £110m are expected to be paid to the plan 
during 2022.

The following amounts have been charged to the income statement: 

Current service costs

Net interest expense

Total amounts included in other expenses

Fund and 
Scheme  
2021
£m

CALA Homes 
and Overseas  
2021 
£m

Fund and 
Scheme  
2020
£m

CALA Homes 
and Overseas 
2020 
£m

2

14

16

4

1

5

2

21

23

3

2

5

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Balance sheet management continued

24 Payables and other financial liabilities

Derivative	liabilities	and	repurchase	agreements	are	measured	at	fair	value,	with	changes	in	fair	value	recognised	in	profit	or	loss.	

The fair value of derivative liabilities is derived using broker quotes or models such as option pricing models, simulation models or a combination 
of models. The inputs for these models include a range of factors which are deemed to be observable, including current market and contractual 
prices for underlying instruments, period to maturity, correlations, yield curves and volatility of the underlying instruments.

Repurchase	agreements	are	valued	based	on	the	discounted	cash	flows	expected	to	be	paid,	using	an	observable	market	interest	rate,	in	line	with	
the value of the underlying security.

Collateral	repayable	on	short	position	reverse	repurchase	agreements	and	other	financial	liabilities	balances,	including	FX	spots,	broker	and	other	
payables, are measured at amortised cost. The carrying value of these liabilities approximates their fair value. 

Trail commission represents a liability for the present value of future commission costs on distribution agreements with intermediaries, recognised in 
the	balance	sheet	on	inception	of	the	contract.	At	each	subsequent	reporting	date	the	liability	is	remeasured,	with	changes	reflected	in	profit	or	loss.

Derivative liabilities

Repurchase agreements1

Other	financial	liabilities2

Total payables and other financial liabilities

Due within 12 months

Due after 12 months

2021
£m

15,718

46,331

12,215

74,264

53,250

21,014

2020
£m

23,208

53,853

14,881

91,942

65,316

26,626

1.	 Repurchase	agreements	are	presented	gross,	however	they	and	their	related	assets	(included	within	debt	securities)	are	subject	to	master	netting	arrangements.	The	significant	majority	

of repurchase agreements are unit linked.

2.	 Other	financial	liabilities	includes	trail	commission,	lease	liabilities,	FX	spots	and	the	value	of	short	positions	taken	out	to	cover	reverse	repurchase	agreements.	The	value	of	short	

positions as at 31 December 2021 was £5,418m (2020: £5,147m). 

Fair value hierarchy

As at 31 December 2021

Derivative liabilities

Repurchase agreements

Other	financial	liabilities

Total payables and other financial liabilities

As at 31 December 2020

Derivative liabilities

Repurchase agreements

Other	financial	liabilities2

Total	payables	and	other	financial	liabilities

Total
£m

15,718

46,331

12,215

74,264

Total
£m

23,208

53,853

14,881

91,942

Level 1
£m

331

–

5,438

5,769

Level 1
£m

300

–

7,438

7,738

Level 2
£m

15,316

46,331

55

61,702

Level 2
£m

22,826

53,853

29

76,708

Level 3
£m

Amortised 
cost¹
£m

71

–

–

71

Level 3
£m

82

–

11

93

–

–

6,722

6,722

Amortised
cost¹
£m

–

–

7,403

7,403

1.	 The	carrying	value	of	payables	and	other	financial	liabilities	at	amortised	cost	approximates	its	fair	value.
2.	 For	2020,	£2,216m	of	Other	financial	liabilities	have	been	reclassified	from	Amortised	cost	to	Level	1	in	the	Fair	value	hierarchy,	such	that	they	are	consistent	with	their	treatment	in	the	

current year.

Significant transfers between levels
There	have	been	no	significant	transfers	of	liabilities	between	Levels	1,	2	and	3	for	the	year	ended	31	December	2021	(2020:	no	significant	transfers).

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25 Leases

The	group	leases	offices,	vehicles,	IT	equipment	and	investment	properties	under	non-cancellable	operating	lease	agreements.	The	group	has	
elected to make use of the recognition exemptions as permitted by the standard in respect of short-term leases (lease contracts with a term of 
12 months or less), and lease contracts for which the underlying asset is of low value. Such leases are not recognised on the consolidated balance 
sheet but the group recognises the associated lease payments as an expense over the lease term.

As	a	lessee,	the	group	recognises	leases	on	the	balance	sheet	as	‘right-of-use’	assets	and	lease	liabilities.	The	right-of-use	assets	are	either	classified	
as property, plant and equipment or investment property.

The right-of-use assets’ value is initially recognised as the calculated value of the lease liabilities, initial direct costs and incentives received. 
The right-of-use assets are subsequently accounted for in accordance with the cost model in IAS 16, ‘Property, Plant and Equipment’ or as 
investment	property	under	IAS	40,	‘Investment	Property’.	The	group	also	assesses	right-of-use	assets	classified	as	property,	plant	and	equipment	
for impairment when such indicators exist.

The	initial	measurement	of	the	lease	liabilities	is	made	up	of	the	present	value	of	lease	payments	to	be	made	over	the	lease	term,	including	fixed	
lease payments and excluding lease incentive receivables. The group uses the incremental borrowing rate as a discount rate for calculating the 
lease liabilities. The lease liabilities are unwound over the term of the lease giving rise to an interest expense. Additionally, the liabilities are reduced 
when lease payments are made. The group reassesses the carrying amount of lease liabilities and right-of-use assets if certain events occur that 
modify the original assumptions used to calculate the lease balances upon initial recognition. 

Extension	and	termination	options	are	included	in	various	leases	across	the	group.	These	are	generally	used	to	maximise	operational	flexibility	in	
terms of managing the assets used in the group’s operations. The majority of extension and termination options held are exercisable only by the 
group and not by the respective lessor.

The table below describes the nature of the group’s leasing activities by type of right-of-use asset recognised on balance sheet within property, plant 
and equipment:1

Carrying amount

As at 1 January

Additions

Depreciation for the period

Disposals

Decrease due to currency translation

As at 31 December

Office  
buildings
2021 
£m

167

14

(23)

(1)

–

157

IT
2021  
£m

Vehicles 
2021 
£m

35

–

(13)

–

–

22

3

–

(2)

–

–

1

Total
2021  
£m

205

14

(38)

(1)

–

180

Office	 
buildings
2020 
£m

189

7

(27)

–

(2)

167

IT
2020  
£m

Vehicles
2020  
£m

46

1

(12)

–

–

35

3

1

(1)

–

–

3

Total
2020  
£m

238

9

(40)

–

(2)

205

1.  Excludes investment property right-of-use assets, which are presented as part of the Investment property disclosure in Note 10.

The	maturity	profile	of	lease	liabilities	is	presented	in	the	table	below.	Lease	liabilities	are	included	within	Payables	and	other	financial	liabilities	(See	Note	24)1.

As at 31 December

Within 1 year

1–2	years

2–3	years

3–4	years

4–5	years

After 5 years

Total lease liabilities

1. 

Includes investment property lease liability.

Undiscounted  
lease  
payments 
2021 
£m

44

35

33

27

26

181

346

Unpaid 
finance 
charge  
2021 
£m

(9)

(7)

(6)

(5)

(4)

(106)

(137)

Present  
value  
2021 
£m

Undiscounted  
lease  
payments 
2020 
£m

35

28

27

22

22

75

209

44

43

34

31

26

203

381

Unpaid 
finance	
charge  
2020 
£m

(10)

(8)

(7)

(6)

(5)

(110)

(146)

Present  
value  
2020 
£m

34

35

27

25

21

93

235

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Balance sheet management continued

25 Leases continued
Interest	expense	of	£10m	(2020:	£11m)	on	lease	liabilities	is	included	in	finance	costs.

The remaining terms on the group’s leases range from 1 to 236 years (2020: 1 to 237 years), with approximately 29% of the leases (2020: 36%) having 
extension options and 72% of these leases (2020: 70%) having termination options. Extension and termination options are included in various leases 
across	the	group	and	are	used	to	maximise	operational	flexibility	in	terms	of	managing	the	assets	used	in	the	group’s	operations.	The	majority	of	
extension and termination options held are exercisable only by the group and not by the respective lessor.

At 31 December 2021 the group had committed to no additional leases which had not yet commenced (2020: committed to no additional leases).

Income from sub-leasing right-of-use assets is presented within Investment return (see Note 29).

26 Management of capital resources
Solvency II
The	Solvency	II	financial	information	in	this	note	is	estimated	and	unaudited.

The group calculates its Solvency II capital requirements using a Partial Internal Model. The vast majority of the risk to which the group is exposed is 
assessed on the Partial Internal Model basis approved by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA). Capital requirements for a few smaller entities are 
assessed	using	the	Standard	Formula	basis	on	materiality	grounds.	The	group’s	US	insurance	businesses	and	Legal	&	General	Reinsurance	Company	
No.	2	(L&G	Re	2	–	a	new	subsidiary	incorporated	in	2021)	are	valued	on	a	local	statutory	basis,	following	the	PRA’s	approval	to	use	the	Deduction	and	
Aggregation method of including these businesses in the group solvency calculation.

The table below shows the group Own Funds, Solvency Capital Requirement (SCR) and Surplus Own Funds, based on the Partial Internal Model, 
Matching Adjustment and Transitional Measures on Technical Provisions (TMTP) (recalculated as at 31 December 2021). The TMTP incorporates 
impacts of 31 December 2021 economic conditions and changes during 2021 to the Internal Model and Matching Adjustment. This is in line with the 
group’s management of the capital position on a dynamic TMTP basis. 

In	previous	years,	the	capital	position	was	shown	on	a	“shareholder	view”,	where	the	contribution	from	the	final	salary	pension	schemes	was	excluded	
from the group position. The impact of excluding the contribution is now less than 1% and so the results below, which are on a proforma basis, include 
the	impact	of	the	final	salary	pension	schemes.	The	2020	results	have	been	adjusted	to	be	consistent	with	2021.

The group is required to measure and monitor its capital resources on a regulatory basis and to comply with the minimum capital requirements of 
regulators	in	each	territory	in	which	it	operates.	At	a	group	level,	Legal	&	General	has	to	comply	with	the	requirements	established	by	the	Solvency	II	
Framework Directive, as adopted by the PRA.

As at 31 December 2021, and on the above basis, the group had a surplus of £8,185m (31 December 2020: £7,436m) over its Solvency Capital 
Requirement, corresponding to a Solvency II capital coverage ratio of 187% (31 December 2020: 175%). The Solvency II capital position is as follows:

Unrestricted Tier 1 Own Funds

Restricted Tier 1 Own Funds2

Tier 2 Subordinated liabilities3

Eligibility restrictions 

Solvency II Own Funds4, 5

Solvency Capital Requirement

Solvency II surplus 

SCR coverage ratio

2021
£m

13,254

495

3,995

(183)

17,561

(9,376)

8,185

187%

20201
£m

12,478

495

4,531

(188)

17,316

(9,880)

7,436

175%

1.		 2020	figures	have	been	restated	to	include	the	contribution	from	the	final	salary	pension	schemes,	replacing	the	“shareholder	view”	from	prior	years’	disclosures.
2.   Restricted Tier 1 Own Funds represent restricted Tier 1 contingent convertible notes.
3.   £300m of Tier 2 subordinated liabilities were redeemed in full on 23 July 2021.
4.		 Solvency	II	Own	Funds	do	not	include	an	accrual	for	the	final	dividend	of	£790m	(31	December	2020:	£754m)	declared	after	the	balance	sheet	date.
5.  Solvency II Own Funds allow for a Risk Margin of £5,488m (2020: £6,064m) and TMTP of £4,736m (2020: £5,564m).

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Other information

A reconciliation of the group’s IFRS shareholders’ equity to Solvency II Own Funds is given below:

IFRS equity1

Remove DAC, goodwill and other intangible assets and associated liabilities

Add IFRS carrying value of subordinated borrowings2

Insurance contract valuation differences3

Difference in value of net deferred tax liabilities

Other

Eligibility restrictions

Solvency II Own Funds4

2021 
£m

10,981

(406)

3,700 

4,132 

(716)

53

(183)

2020 
£m

9,997 

(391)

4,000 

4,495 

(638)

41

(188)

17,561

17,316

1.   IFRS equity represents equity attributable to owners of the parent and restricted Tier 1 convertible notes as per the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
2.   Treated as available capital on the Solvency II balance sheet as the liabilities are subordinate to policyholder claims.
3.   Differences in the measurement of technical provisions between IFRS and Solvency II.
4.		 Solvency	II	Own	Funds	do	not	include	an	accrual	for	the	final	dividend	of	£790m	(31	December	2020:	£754m)	declared	after	the	balance	sheet	date.

Capital management policies and objectives
The	group	aims	to	manage	its	capital	resources	to	maintain	financial	strength,	policyholder	security	and	relative	external	ratings	advantage.	The	group	
also	seeks	to	maximise	its	financial	flexibility	by	maintaining	strong	liquidity	and	by	utilising	a	range	of	alternative	sources	of	capital	including	equity,	
senior debt, subordinated debt and reinsurance.

Capital measures
The group measures its capital on a number of different bases, including those which comply with the regulatory frameworks within which the group 
operates and those which the directors consider most appropriate for managing the business. The measures used by the group include:

Accounting and Economic bases
Management	use	financial	information	prepared	on	both	an	IFRS	and	Economic	Capital	basis	to	manage	capital	and	cash	flow	usage	and	to	determine	
dividend paying capacity. 

The group maintains a risk-based capital model that is used to calculate the group’s Economic Capital position and support the management of risk 
within the group. This modelling framework, suitably adjusted for regulatory constraints, also meets the needs of the Solvency II regime. Our Economic 
Capital model has not been reviewed by the Prudential Regulatory Authority (PRA), nor will it be.

Regulatory bases
The	financial	strength	of	the	group’s	insurance	subsidiaries	is	measured	under	various	local	regulatory	requirements	(see	below).

Basis of regulatory capital and corresponding regulatory capital requirements
In	each	country	in	which	the	group	operates,	the	local	insurance	regulator	specifies	rules	and	guidance	for	the	minimum	amount	and	type	of	capital	
which must be held by insurance subsidiaries in excess of their insurance liabilities. The minimum capital requirements have been maintained at all 
times throughout the year. This helps to ensure that payments to policyholders can be made as they fall due. 

The required capital is calculated by either assessing the additional assets which would be required to meet the insurance company’s liabilities in 
specified,	stressed	financial	conditions,	or	by	applying	fixed	percentages	to	the	insurance	company’s	liabilities	and	risk	exposures.	The	requirements	
in the different jurisdictions in which the group operates are detailed below:

Group regulatory basis
The group is required to comply with the Solvency II capital requirements calculated using the group’s Partial Internal Model. The vast majority of the risk 
to which the group is exposed is assessed on the Internal Model basis approved by the PRA. The group capital requirements for a handful of smaller entities 
are assessed using the Standard Formula basis on materiality grounds. The group’s capital requirements in respect of its US insurance businesses and 
Legal	&	General	Reinsurance	Company	No.	2	(L&G	Re	2)	are	valued	on	a	local	statutory	basis,	following	PRA	approval	of	the	group’s	application	to	use	
the Deduction and Aggregation method of including these businesses in the group solvency calculation. 

UK regulatory basis
At the balance sheet date, required capital for the life business was based on the Solvency II Framework Directive, as adopted by the PRA. All material 
EEA	insurance	firms,	including	Legal	and	General	Assurance	Society	Limited,	and	Legal	and	General	Assurance	(Pensions	Management)	Limited	
(LGIM’s insurance subsidiary) are required to hold eligible own funds in excess of their Solvency Capital Requirement, calculated on an Internal Model 
basis.	These	firms,	as	well	as	the	non-EEA	insurance	firm	(Legal	&	General	Reinsurance	Company	Limited	(LGRe)	based	in	Bermuda)	contribute	over	
93% of the group’s SCR.

US regulatory basis
Required capital is determined to be the Company Action Level Risk Based Capital (RBC) based on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners 
RBC model. RBC is a method of measuring the minimum amount of capital appropriate for an insurance company to support its overall business 
operations,	taking	into	account	its	size	and	risk	profile.	The	calculation	is	based	on	applying	factors	to	various	asset,	premium,	claims,	expense	and	
reserve items, with higher factors used for those items with greater underlying risk and lower factors for less risky items.

Balance sheet management

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

195

Balance sheet management continued

26 Management of capital resources continued
Solvency II continued 
Bermudan regulatory basis
Bermudan	regulated	insurers	are	required	to	hold	sufficient	capital	to	meet	120%	of	the	Bermudan	Solvency	Capital	Requirement	(BSCR).	The	BSCR	
model	follows	a	standard	formula	framework;	capital	attributed	to	each	risk	is	calculated	by	applying	specified	stresses	to	the	assets	and	liabilities.	
The individual risk elements (excluding operational risk) are combined using a covariance matrix and then added to an operational risk charge. 

27 Disposals
During 2021, the group made the following disposals, the impacts of which are recognised in other operational income in the Consolidated 
Income Statement:

•  On	3	August	2021,	the	group	entered	into	a	15	year	joint	venture	arrangement	with	NatWest	Group	Pension	Trustee	Limited	(NWPTL),	the	defined	

benefit	pension	scheme	of	NatWest	Group,	in	order	to	invest	up	to	£500m	of	equity	into	later	living	communities	which	will	be	developed	and	operated	
by Inspired Villages Group, a group subsidiary. As part of the transaction, the group sold a 50% stake in the entities which own the portfolio of property 
sites to NWPTL for £127m, and its interest in such entities reduced from 100% to 50%. This resulted in a change of control for a number of 
subsidiaries, which have been deconsolidated and are now equity accounted. The group has recognised a pre-tax gain on disposal, net of transaction 
costs, of £23m, which includes £13m related to the portion of the gain attributable to remeasuring the remaining interests to fair value as at the date 
of the transaction.

•  On 2 November 2021, the group completed the disposal of its 10% stake in Current Health Limited to Best Buy for £30m, which resulted in a pre-tax 

gain on disposal, net of transaction costs, of £21m. 

•  On 3 November 2021, the group completed the disposal of its 50% stake in Peel Holdings (Media) Limited (MediaCity) to LandSec for £141m, which 

resulted in a pre-tax gain on disposal, net of transaction costs, of £7m. 

196

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Financial statements

Additional financial information

Financial statements

Other information

28 Segmental analysis

The	group	provides	a	segmental	analysis	to	enhance	the	understanding	of	the	financial	statements.

Under the requirements of IFRS 8, ‘Operating segments’, operating and reportable segments are presented in a manner consistent with the internal 
reporting	provided	to	the	chief	operating	decision	maker,	which	has	been	identified	as	the	Board	of	Legal	&	General	Group	Plc.

In	2021,	the	group	operated	five	core	businesses	across	four	reportable	segments	that	are	continuing	operations,	with	Legal	&	General	Retirement	Retail	
(LGRR)	and	Legal	&	General	Retirement	Institutional	(LGRI)	combined	into	a	single	segment	for	reporting	purposes,	being	Legal	&	General	Retirement.	

From 1 January 2022, the group has announced changes to the business unit responsibilities within the Executive Committee. Andrew Kail will become 
the	Chief	Executive	Officer	of	LGRI,	succeeding	Laura	Mason	who	has	previously	moved	to	become	CEO	of	Legal	&	General	Capital	(LGC).	Our	two	retail	
businesses, LGRR and LGI, will come together under the leadership of Bernie Hickman. As noted on page 14 of the strategic report, this will enable the 
creation of a single interface for the group’s UK retail customers.

As	a	result	of	these	changes,	from	1	January	2022	the	group	will	align	its	reportable	segments	to	the	five	core	businesses,	comprising	LGRI,	LGRR,	LGI,	
LGIM, and LGC. Group central expenses and debt costs will continue to be reported separately. 

In 2021, management of the Workplace Savings business has transferred from LGIM to LGRR, where it complements their retirement solutions offering 
and	retail	customer	focus.	The	change	in	reporting	structure	has	no	impact	on	the	profit	or	loss,	or	net	assets,	of	the	group.	To	enable	comparison,	
segmental information for prior year has been restated accordingly.

In 2020, continuing operations exclude the results of the Mature Savings business, the sale of which was completed on 7 September 2020. 

Reporting of assets and liabilities by reportable segment has not been included, as this is not information that is provided to key decision makers on 
a regular basis. The group’s asset and liabilities are managed on a legal entity rather than reportable segment basis, in line with regulatory requirements.

Financial information on the reportable segments is further broken down where relevant in order to better explain the drivers of the group’s results.

(i) Profit/(loss) for the year

For the year ended 31 December 2021

Adjusted operating profit/(loss)

Investment and other variances

Losses attributable to non-controlling interests

Profit/(loss) before tax attributable to equity holders

Tax (expense)/credit attributable to equity holders

Profit/(loss) for the year

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Adjusted	operating	profit/(loss)

Investment and other variances

Losses attributable to non-controlling interests

Profit/(loss)	before	tax	attributable	to	equity	holders

Tax (expense)/credit attributable to equity holders

Profit/(loss)	for	the	year

LGR1
£m

1,506

242

–

1,748

(276)

1,472

LGR1
£m

1,728

15

–

1,743

(228)

1,515

LGIM1
£m

422

(11)

–

411

(79)

332

LGIM1
£m

407

1

–

408

(65)

343

LGC
£m

461

19

–

480

(93)

387

LGC
£m

275

(299)

–

(24)

(8)

(32)

Group 
expenses and 
debt costs2
£m

Total 
continuing 
operations
£m

(395)

(128)

(7)

(530)

62

(468)

2,262

233

(7)

2,488

(445)

2,043

Group 
expenses and 
debt costs2
£m

Total 
continuing 
operations
£m

(415)

24

(36)

(427)

94

(333)

2,184

(718)

(36)

1,430

(149)

1,281

LGI
£m

268

111

–

379

(59)

320

LGI
£m

189

(459)

–

(270)

58

(212)

1.		 LGR	includes	the	Workplace	Savings	business	which	was	previously	reported	in	LGIM.	Prior	year	comparatives	have	been	restated	to	reflect	the	change	in	reporting	structure.
2.   Group expenses and debt costs include £nil of incremental costs incurred as a result of Covid-19 (2020: £27m).

Additional	financial	information

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197

Additional financial information continued

28 Segmental analysis continued
(ii) Revenue

Revenue comprises of the following:

Net premiums earned
Revenue from insurance and investment contracts has been described in section (e) of this Note.

Investment return
Investment return has been described in Note 29 of this report.

Fees from fund management and investment contracts*
The group generates revenue from acting as the investment manager for clients. Fees charged on investment management services are based 
on the contractual fee arrangements applied to assets under management and recognised as revenue as the services are provided.

The group’s income from investment contracts is primarily derived from fees for administration and managing of funds in pension plans. 
Revenue	generated	on	investment	contracts	is	recognised	as	services	are	provided.	No	significant	judgements	are	applied	on	the	timing	or	
transaction price. In the instances of performance fees where revenue is subject to meeting a certain performance threshold, such revenue is not 
recognised	until	the	condition	has	been	met,	and	it	is	highly	probable	that	no	significant	reversal	of	amounts	would	occur.	Variable	costs	directly	
related to securing new contracts are capitalised and amortised over the estimated period over which the revenue is earned.

Transaction fees are charged to implement trades for clients. Such fees are charged at the time the transaction takes place and are based on the 
size of the underlying contract. 

House building*
House building revenue arises from the sale of residential properties and land, and is recognised net of discounts and sales incentives. Sales of 
private houses are recognised on legal completion. Following the implementation of IFRS 15, ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’, the sale 
proceeds of part exchange properties are also included in revenue. Sales of social housing, where multiple units are developed and sold under a 
contractual agreement with a single customer, typically a housing association, are recognised over time in accordance with construction progress. 
Sales of land and commercial property are recognised on unconditional exchange, namely when contracts are exchanged or missives concluded 
and, where appropriate, construction is complete. The transaction price is determined using extensive research and expert judgement, current 
market values and regional variations. 

Warranties	are	provided	on	all	properties	and	range	from	2–10	years.	Due	to	their	features,	these	do	not	represent	separate	performance	obligations.

Professional services fees*
The group’s professional services fees revenue arises from professional services provided by employed surveyors and third party providers, 
panel management fees and administration fees. These fees are based on fee scales or contracts. Revenue is recognised when the service has 
been rendered.

In addition, the group derives professional fees from facilitation of mortgage arrangements and related products such as conveyancing. These are 
based	on	an	agreement/contract	and	could	be	Tiered	based	on	volume.	The	obligation	in	such	instances	is	satisfied	on	completion	of	the	
mortgage/service,	at	which	point	the	revenue	is	recognised.	There	is	no	significant	judgement	applied	on	the	timing	or	amount	of	fee	recognised.

Insurance broker*
Fees are charged on each performance obligation offered to the customer as per agreed structure. Revenue for placement services is recognised 
at	the	point	in	time	when	the	intermediary	has	satisfied	its	performance	obligation,	that	is	when	the	terms	of	the	insurance	policy	have	been	
agreed	contractually	by	the	insurer	and	policyholder,	and	the	insurer	has	a	present	right	to	payment	from	the	policyholder.	No	significant	
judgements are applied on the timing or transaction price.

*		Contracts	are	either	expected	to	last	one	year	or	less,	or	reflect	the	right	to	consideration	from	a	customer	in	an	amount	that	corresponds	directly	with	the	value	of	the	performance	

completed	to	date.	As	permitted	under	IFRS	15,	the	transaction	price	allocated	to	any	unsatisfied	contracts	is	not	disclosed.	

198

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Financial statements

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

(a) Total revenue

Total income

Adjusted for:

Share	of	(profit)/loss	from	associates	and	joint	ventures,	net	of	tax

Gains on disposal of subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, and other operations1

Total revenue from continuing operations

1.  For further information on the gains on disposal refer to Note 2 (iv) and Note 27.

(b) Total income

For the year ended 31 December 2021

Internal income

External income

Total income

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Internal income

External income

Total income

LGR
£m

–

5,959

5,959

LGR
£m

–

15,057

15,057

1.  LGIM internal income relates to investment management services provided to other segments.
2.  LGIM external income primarily includes fees from fund management and investment returns on unit linked funds.
3.  LGC and other includes LGC income, intra-segmental eliminations and group consolidation adjustments.

(c) Fees from fund management and investment contracts

For the year ended 31 December 2021

Investment contracts

Investment management fees

Transaction fees

Total fees from fund management and investment contracts3

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Investment contracts

Investment management fees

Transaction fees

Total fees from fund management and investment contracts3

LGR1
£m

97

–

–

97

LGR1
£m

79

–

–

79

Note

43

2021
£m

45,450

(25)

(149)

2020
£m

50,231

28

–

45,276

50,259

LGIM1,2
£m

179

35,738

35,917

LGIM1,2
£m

201

20,878

21,079

LGIM1
£m

–

1,009

32

1,041

LGIM1
£m

–

954

27

981

LGI
£m

–

2,029

2,029

LGI
£m

–

1,799

1,799

LGI
£m

–

–

–

–

LGI
£m

1

–

–

1

LGC and
other3
£m

(179)

1,724

1,545

LGC and
other3
£m

(201)

12,497

12,296

LGC and
other2
£m

–

(179)

–

(179)

LGC and
other2
£m

–

(188)

–

(188)

Total
continuing
operations
£m

–

45,450

45,450

Total
continuing
operations
£m

–

50,231

50,231

Total
continuing
operations
£m

97

830

32

959

Total
continuing
operations
£m

80

766

27

873

1.		 LGR	includes	the	Workplace	Savings	business	which	was	previously	reported	in	LGIM.	Prior	year	comparatives	have	been	restated	to	reflect	the	change	in	segmentation.
2.   LGC and other includes LGC income, intra-segmental eliminations and group consolidation adjustments.
3.   Fees from fund management and investment contracts are a component of Total revenue from continuing operations disclosed in Note 28 (ii)(a).

Additional	financial	information

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199

Additional financial information continued

28 Segmental analysis continued
(ii) Revenue continued 
(d) Other operational income from contracts with customers

For the year ended 31 December 2021

House building

Professional services fees

Insurance broker

Total other operational income from contracts with customers¹

For the year ended 31 December 2020

House building

Professional services fees

Insurance broker

Total other operational income from contracts with customers1

LGC and
other
£m

1,314

–

–

Total
continuing
operations
£m

1,314

94

11

1,314

1,419

LGC and
other
£m

748

–

–

748

Total
continuing
operations
£m

748

84

16

848

LGI
£m

–

89

11

100

LGI
£m

–

83

16

99

LGR
£m

–

5

–

5

LGR
£m

–

1

–

1

1.	 Total	other	operational	income	from	contracts	with	customers	is	a	component	of	Total	revenue	from	continuing	operations	disclosed	in	Note	28	(ii)(a)	and	excludes	the	share	of	profit/loss	

from associates and joint ventures, and the gain on disposal of subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures.

(e) Gross written premiums on insurance contracts

Gross written premium represents the total premiums written by the group before deductions for reinsurance.

Long-term insurance premiums are recognised as revenue when due for payment. General insurance premiums are accounted for in the period 
in	which	the	risk	commences.	Estimates	are	included	for	premiums	not	notified	by	the	year	end	and	provision	is	made	for	the	anticipated	lapse	of	
renewals	not	yet	confirmed.	Those	proportions	of	premiums	written	in	a	year	which	relate	to	periods	of	risk	extending	beyond	the	end	of	the	year	
are carried forward as unearned premiums.

Premiums received relating to investment contracts are not recognised as income, but are included in the balance sheet investment contract liability.

Outward reinsurance premiums from continuing operations are accounted for in the same accounting period as the related premiums for the 
direct or inwards reinsurance business being reinsured. 

For the year ended 31 December 2021

Gross written premiums

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Gross written premiums

Total 
continuing 
operations
£m

LGI1
£m

3,011

10,375

Total 
continuing 
operations 
£m

LGI1
£m

2,963

12,545

LGR
£m

7,364

LGR 
£m

9,582

1. 

Includes £109m (2020: £114m) of gross written premiums relating to a residual reinsurance treaty following the disposal of the General Insurance business in 2019.

200

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Financial statements

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

29 Investment return

Investment return includes fair value gains and losses, excluding fair value movements attributable to available-for-sale (AFS) investments, dividends, 
rent	and	interest.	Dividends	are	accrued	on	an	ex-dividend	basis.	Interest	and	rent	are	included	on	an	accruals	basis.	Interest	income	for	financial	
assets	which	are	not	classified	as	fair	value	through	profit	or	loss	(FVTPL)	is	recognised	using	the	effective	interest	method.

The	group	earns	an	investment	return	from	holdings	in	financial	instruments	and	property	investments,	held	to	either	back	insurance	and	investment	
contracts on behalf of policyholders or deliver returns on group capital.

Dividend income

Interest	income	on	financial	investments	at	fair	value	through	profit	or	loss

Other investment income1

Gains	on	financial	investments	designated	at	fair	value	through	profit	or	loss

(Losses)/gains on derivative instruments designated as held for trading

Realised	(losses)/gains	on	financial	assets	designated	as	available-for-sale	

Financial investment return

Rental income

Net fair value gains/(losses) on properties

Property investment return

Total investment return

Investment return from discontinued operations 

Investment return from continuing operations

2021
£m

4,437

4,837

219

2020
£m

4,098

5,172

110

25,066

28,545

(30)

(1)

42

16

34,528

37,983

375

1,024

1,399

35,927

–

35,927

387

(79)

308

38,291

877

39,168

1.	 Other	investment	income	comprises	interest,	gains	and	losses	from	loans,	receivables	and	other	financial	instruments	including	those	held	at	amortised	cost.	£11m	(2020:	£13m)	of	Other	

investment	income	is	from	financial	investments	designated	as	available-for-sale.	There	was	no	impairment	on	assets	classified	as	available-for-sale	during	the	year.

Additional	financial	information

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

201

Additional financial information continued

30 Tax

The tax shown in the Consolidated Income Statement and Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income comprises current and deferred tax.

Current tax
Current	tax	comprises	tax	payable	on	current	year	profits,	adjusted	for	non-tax	deductible	or	non-taxable	items,	and	any	adjustments	to	tax	
payable in respect of previous periods. Current tax is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement unless it relates to items which are 
recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income or directly in equity.

Deferred tax
Deferred tax is calculated on differences between the accounting value of assets and liabilities and their respective tax values. Deferred tax is also 
recognised	in	respect	of	unused	tax	losses	to	the	extent	it	is	probable	that	future	taxable	profits	will	arise	against	which	the	losses	can	be	utilised.	
Deferred tax is charged or credited to the Consolidated Income Statement, except when it relates to items charged or credited to the Consolidated 
Statement of Comprehensive Income or charged or credited directly in equity.

Tax attributable to policyholders and equity holders
The total tax expense shown in the group’s Consolidated Income Statement includes income tax borne by both policyholders and equity holders. 
This	has	been	split	between	tax	attributable	to	policyholders’	returns	and	equity	holders’	profits.	Policyholder	tax	comprises	the	tax	suffered	on	
policyholder	investment	returns,	while	equity	holder	tax	is	corporation	tax	charged	on	equity	holder	profit.	The	separate	presentation	is	intended	
to	provide	more	relevant	information	about	the	tax	that	the	group	pays	on	the	profits	that	it	makes.

Use of estimates
Tax balances include the use of estimates and assumptions which affect items reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and Consolidated 
Income Statement. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current circumstances and future events and 
actions, actual results may differ from those estimates.

For tax this includes the determination of assets and liabilities recognised in respect of uncertain tax positions and the estimation of future taxable 
income supporting deferred tax asset recognition.

As the group operates internationally, it is exposed to uncertain tax positions and changes in legislation in the jurisdictions in which it operates. 
The	assessment	of	uncertain	tax	positions	is	subjective	and	significant	management	judgement	is	required.	This	judgement	is	based	on	
interpretation of legislation, management experience and professional advice. The directors have assessed the group’s uncertain tax positions 
and are comfortable that the provisions in place are not material individually or in aggregate, and that a reasonable possible alternative outcome 
in	the	next	financial	year	would	not	have	a	material	impact	to	the	results	of	the	group.

Tax rates
The table below provides a summary of the standard corporate income tax rates of the main territories we operate in.

UK

USA

Bermuda

Ireland

2021

19.0%

21.0%

0.0%

12.5%

2020

19.0%

21.0%

0.0%

12.5%

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Financial statements

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

(i) Tax expense in the Consolidated Income Statement

Current tax

Deferred tax

–	Origination	or	reversal	of	temporary	differences	in	the	year

–	Impact	of	revaluation	of	deferred	tax	balances

Total deferred tax

Adjustment to equity holders’ tax in respect of prior years

Total tax expense1

Less: tax attributable to policyholder returns

–	Continuing	operations

–	Discontinued	operations

Total tax charge attributable to equity holders

Less: tax from discontinued operations attributable to equity holders

Tax from continuing operations attributable to equity holders

2021
£m

531

(24)

58

34

24

589

(144)

–

(144)

445

–

445

2020
£m

333

(163)

16

(147)

(42)

144

(69)

142

73

217

(68)

149

1. 

In 2021, the total tax expense of £589m is attributable to continuing operations (2020: £218m tax expense attributable to continuing operations and £74m tax credit attributable 
to discontinued operations).

The	tax	expense	attributable	to	equity	holders	differs	from	the	tax	calculated	on	profit	before	tax	at	the	standard	UK	corporation	tax	rate	as	follows:

Profit	before	tax	attributable	to	equity	holders

Tax calculated at 19.00%

Adjusted for the effects of:

Recurring reconciling items:

(Lower)/higher	rate	of	profits	taxed	overseas¹

Income not subject to tax

Non-deductible expenses

Differences between taxable and accounting investment gains

Foreign tax

Unrecognised tax losses

Non-recurring reconciling items:

Adjustments in respect of prior years²

Impact of the revaluation of deferred tax balances³

Other

Tax expense/(credit) attributable to equity holders

Equity holders’ effective tax rate

Total  
2021 
£m

2,488

473

Continuing  
operations 
2020 
£m

1,430

272

Total  
2020 
£m

1,788

340

(104)

(111)

(111)

–

6

(13)

–

1

24

58

–

445

17.9%

(1)

11

(10)

1

14

(42)

16

(1)

149

10.4%

(1)

11

(10)

1

14

(42)

16

(1)

217

12.1%

1.	 The	lower	rate	of	tax	on	overseas	profits	is	principally	driven	by	the	0%	rate	of	taxation	arising	in	our	Bermudan	reinsurance	company,	which	provides	the	group	with	regulatory	capital	

flexibility	for	both	our	PRT	business	and	our	US	term	insurance	business.	This	also	includes	the	impact	of	our	US	operations	which	are	taxed	at	21%.

2.  Adjustments in respect of prior years relate to revisions of prior estimates.
3.  The Finance Act 2021 increased the rate of corporation tax from 19% to 25% from 1 April 2023. The prevailing rate of UK corporation tax for the year remained at 19%. The future enacted 
tax rate of 25% has been used in the calculation of UK deferred tax assets and liabilities, as the rate of corporation tax that is expected to apply when the majority of those deferred tax 
balances reverse.

The	UK	standard	rate	of	corporation	tax	is	used	in	the	above	reconciliation	as	a	significant	proportion	of	the	group’s	profits	are	earned	and	are	taxable	
in the UK, which is also the main domicile for the group.

Additional	financial	information

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

203

Additional financial information continued

30 Tax continued
(ii) Deferred tax – Consolidated Balance Sheet
Deferred tax assets and liabilities have been recognised/(provided) for temporary differences and unused tax losses. The recognition of deferred tax 
assets	in	respect	of	temporary	differences	and	tax	losses	are	supported	by	management’s	best	estimate	of	future	taxable	profits	to	absorb	the	losses	
in future years. Deferred tax assets and liabilities presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheet have been offset to the extent it is permissible under the 
relevant accounting standards. The net movement in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the year is as follows:

Deferred acquisition expenses

–	Overseas

Difference between the tax and accounting value of insurance contracts

–	UK

–	Overseas

Realised and unrealised gains on investments4

Excess of depreciation over capital allowances

Excess expenses

Accounting provisions and other4

Trading losses1

Pension	fund	deficit

Acquired intangibles

Total net deferred tax liabilities

Less: net deferred tax liabilities transferred on disposal2

Net deferred tax liabilities 

Presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as:

–	Deferred	tax	assets3

–	UK	deferred	tax	liabilities

–	Overseas	net	deferred	tax	liabilities

Net tax 
liability as at 
1 January 
2021¹
£m

Tax 
(charged)/ 
credited to 
the income 
statement
£m

Tax
(charged)/
credited
to OCI
or equity
£m

Net tax 
liability as at 
31 December 
2021
£m

Acquisitions/ 
disposals
£m

85

85

(557)

(207)

(350)

(113)

18

1

54

289

22

(1)

(202)

–

(202)

5

(168)

(39)

10

10

(135)

(58)

(77)

23

5

(1)

1

60

(6)

1

(42)

5

(37)

(3)

(36)

2

–

–

(3)

(4)

1

–

–

–

–

–

(7)

–

(10)

–

(10)

–

(11)

1

–

–

–

–

–

7

(1)

–

–

(1)

–

–

5

(5)

–

–

–

–

95

95

(695)

(269)

(426)

(83)

22

–

55

348

9

–

(249)

–

(249)

2

(215)

(36)

1.   Trading losses include deferred tax on UK trade and US operating losses of £2m (2020: £5m) and £346m (2020: £284m) respectively. Overseas net deferred tax liabilities include a deferred 

tax asset of £346m (2020: £284m) on accumulated losses in our US insurance business. These losses are not time restricted, and we expect to recover them over a period of 15 to 20 years, 
commensurate with the lifecycle of the underlying insurance contracts. In reaching this conclusion, we have considered past results, the different basis under which US companies are 
taxed,	temporary	differences	that	are	expected	to	generate	future	profits	against	which	the	deferred	tax	can	be	offset,	management	actions,	and	future	profit	forecasts.	The	recoverability	
of deferred tax assets is routinely reviewed by management.

2.   Deferred tax assets and liabilities transferred on disposal relate to the deconsolidation of a number of subsidiaries following the Inspired Villages Group joint venture agreement with 

Natwest Group Pension Trustee Limited in August 2021 (see Note 27 for further details).

3.   The deferred tax asset recognised separately in the consolidated balance sheet refers to deferred tax assets against which there are no appropriate deferred tax liabilities to offset the asset. 

The	closing	amount	of	£2m	(2020:	£5m)	are	restricted	losses	which	cannot	be	offset	against	profits	arising	elsewhere	in	the	group.

4.		 The	US	deferred	tax	liability	of	£102m	in	respect	of	US	bond	contracts	has	been	reclassified	from	Accounting	provisions	and	other	to	Realised	and	unrealised	gains	on	investments.	The	net	

impact on the total balance is £nil.

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Strategic report

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Financial statements

Other information

Deferred acquisition expenses

	–	UK

	–	Overseas

Difference between the tax and accounting value of insurance contracts

	–	UK

	–	Overseas

Realised and unrealised gains on investments4

Excess of depreciation over capital allowances

Excess expenses

Accounting provisions and other4

Trading losses1

Pension	fund	deficit

Acquired intangibles

Total net deferred tax liabilities

Less:	net	deferred	tax	liabilities	of	operations	classified	as	held	for	sale²

Net deferred tax liabilities 

Presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as:

–	Deferred	tax	assets

–	UK	deferred	tax	liabilities

–	Overseas	deferred	tax	liabilities3

Net tax 
liability as at 
1 January 
2020
£m

Tax 
(charged)/ 
credited to 
the income 
statement
£m

Tax
(charged)/
credited
to OCI
or equity
£m

Net tax 
liability as at 
31 December 
2020
£m

Acquisitions/
disposals
£m

35

(40)

75

(524)

(198)

(326)

(224)

15

20

(4)

217

28

(2)

(439)

182

(257)

8

(189)

(76)

50

40

10

(34)

(12)

(22)

84

3

(9)

58

72

(54)

1

171

(165)

6

(3)

(30)

39

–

–

–

1

3

(2)

–

–

–

–

–

48

–

49

–

49

–

51

(2)

–

–

–

–

–

–

27

–

(10)

–

–

–

–

17

(17)

–

–

–

–

85

–

85

(557)

(207)

(350)

(113)

18

1

54

289

22

(1)

(202)

–

(202)

5

(168)

(39)

1.		 Trading	losses	reflect	deferred	tax	on	UK	trade	and	US	operating	losses	of	£5m	(2019:	£4m)	and	£284m	(2019:	£213m)	respectively.
2.		 Liabilities	of	operations	classified	as	held	for	sale	relate	to	the	Mature	Savings	business,	the	sale	of	which	completed	on	7	September	2020.
3.   Overseas deferred tax liability is wholly comprised of US balances as at 31 December 2020.
4.		 The	US	deferred	tax	liability	of	£40m	in	respect	of	US	bond	contracts	has	been	reclassified	from	Accounting	provisions	and	other	to	Realised	and	unrealised	gains	on	investments.	The	net	

impact on the total balance is £nil.

Unrecognised deferred tax assets
The group has the following unrelieved tax losses and deductible temporary differences carried forward as at 31 December 2021. No deferred tax asset 
has	been	recognised	in	respect	of	these	as	at	31	December	2021	(or	31	December	2020),	as	it	is	not	probable	that	there	will	be	suitable	taxable	profits	
emerging	in	future	periods	against	which	to	relieve	them.	These	tax	assets	will	only	be	recognised	if	it	becomes	probable	that	suitable	taxable	profits	will	
arise in future periods.

Trading losses1

Capital losses

Excess management expense

Unrelieved interest payments on debt instruments

Unrecognised deferred tax assets²

Gross
2021
£m

172

74

9

14

269

Tax
2021
£m

36

19

2

4

61

Gross
2020
£m

190

70

60

14

334

Tax
2020
£m

31

13

12

3

59

1.   Trading losses includes £14m (2020: £13m) related to the US business which are expected to expire between 2026 and 2032.
2.   Unrecognised deferred tax assets include UK balances of £39m (2020: £39m) and trade losses arising overseas of £22m (2020: £20m).

Additional	financial	information

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Additional financial information continued

30 Tax continued
(iii) Current tax – Consolidated Balance Sheet

Tax recoverable within 12 months

Tax recoverable after 12 months

Current tax assets

Tax due within 12 months

Tax due after 12 months

Current tax liabilities

1.   Of the total current tax asset of £670m, £619m (2020: £572m) relates to amount recoverable in respect of withholding tax reclaims attributable to funds. 

(iv) Tax charged directly in equity

Current tax

Deferred tax

Tax charge/(credit) recognised directly in equity

31 Auditors’ remuneration

Note

30(ii)

Remuneration	receivable	by	the	company’s	auditors	for	the	audit	of	the	consolidated	and	company	financial	statements

Remuneration receivable by the company’s auditors and its associates for the supply of other services to the company and its associates, 
including	remuneration	for	the	audit	of	the	financial	statements	of	the	company’s	subsidiaries:

The audit of the company’s subsidiaries

Audit	related	assurance	services	–	required	by	national	or	EU	legislation

Audit	related	assurance	services	–	other

Other assurance services

Total remuneration

32 Employee information

Monthly average number of staff employed during the year:

UK

USA 

Europe

Other

Worldwide employees

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Share-based incentive awards

Defined	benefit	pension	costs1

Defined	contribution	pension	costs

Total employee related expenses 

2021
£m

46

624

670

2021
£m

4

80

84

2021
£m

4

(3)

1

2021
£m

1.5

7.8

1.3

1.2

0.1

11.9

2020
£m

363

271

634

2020
£m

–

61

61

2020
£m

(2)

(11)

(13)

2020
£m

1.4 

8.7

1.4

0.6

0.6

12.7

2021

2020

9,705

927

43

66

9,083

874

33

56

10,741

10,046

Note

33 

23

23

2021
£m

789

89

33

21

82

1,014

2020
£m

732

82

43

28

75

960

1.		 Defined	benefit	pension	costs,	included	within	Total	other	expenses,	represent	the	sum	of	current	service	cost	and	net	interest	expense,	and	not	the	contributions	paid	to	the	defined	benefit	

schemes,	as	previously	disclosed.	For	2020,	the	amounts	have	been	updated	to	reflect	the	appropriate	costs	and	to	be	on	a	basis	consistent	with	2021.	There	is	no	impact	on	the	
Consolidated Income Statement or Consolidated Balance Sheet.

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Financial statements

Other information

33 Share-based payments

The fair value at the date of grant of the equity instrument is recognised as an expense, spread over the vesting period of the instrument. The total 
amount to be expensed is determined by reference to the fair value of the awards, excluding the impact of any non-market vesting conditions. At each 
balance sheet date, the group revises its estimate of the number of equity instruments which are expected to become exercisable. It recognises 
the impact of the revision of original estimates, if any, in the income statement and a corresponding adjustment is made to equity. On vesting or 
exercise, the difference between the expense charged to the income statement and the actual cost to the group is transferred to retained earnings. 
Where new shares are issued, the proceeds received are credited to share capital and share premium.

(i) Description of plans
The group provides a number of equity settled share-based long-term incentive plans for directors and eligible employees. 

The	Savings	Related	Share	Option	Plan	(ShareSave)	allows	employees	to	enter	into	a	regular	savings	contract	over	three	and/or	five	years,	coupled	with	
a corresponding option over shares of the group. The grant price is equal to 80% of the quoted market price of the group shares on the invitation date. 
Fair value is calculated using the Black-Scholes model.

Nil Cost Options can be granted to senior managers under the Performance Share Plan (PSP), based upon individual and company performance. 
Pre the 2014 award, the number of performance shares transferred to the individual at the end of the three year vesting period was dependent on the 
group’s relative Total Shareholder Return (TSR). New performance conditions attached to awards from 2014 result in the number of options that vest 
being equally dependent on the group’s relative TSR and Earnings per Share (EPS)/Dividend per Share (DPS) growth. In addition, the awards vest after 
the	end	of	the	three	year	performance	period	and	become	exercisable	in	thirds	over	three,	four	and	five	years.	Further	changes	were	made	to	the	
performance conditions for awards granted in 2018. The number of options that vest in respect of these awards is equally dependent on the group’s 
relative TSR and EPS growth (subject to Solvency II objectives). The majority of awards vest after the end of the three year performance period and 
become	exercisable	in	thirds	in	year	three,	four	and	five.	Awards	granted	to	Executive	Directors	and	Persons	Delivering	Managerial	Responsibilities	vest	
after	three	years	but	any	options	that	vest	will	not	become	exercisable	until	year	five.

The Share Bonus Plan (SBP) awards conditional shares, restricted shares, combined awards of CSOP options and restricted shares and combined 
awards of CSOP options and nil-paid options. Recipients of restricted shares are entitled to both vote and receive dividends. Fair value is calculated as 
the	market	value	on	the	grant	date,	adjusted	to	reflect	the	eligibility	for	dividend	payments.	Conditional	Share	awards,	which	include	awards	to	Executive	
Directors, do not have voting or dividend rights.

Under the HMRC tax-advantaged Employee share plan (ESP), UK employees may elect to purchase group shares from the market at the prevailing market 
price on a monthly basis. The group supplements the number of shares purchased by giving employees one free matching share for every one share 
purchased	up	to	the	first	£20	of	the	employees’	contributions	and	one	free	matching	share	for	every	two	shares	purchased	with	contributions	between	
£20 and £125. There is currently no match on contributions between £125 and £150. From time to time, the group may make an award of free shares. 
Both the free and matching shares must be held in trust for three years. The fair value of awarded shares is equal to the market value on award date.

The weighted average fair value of options and awards granted during the year, estimated by using Monte Carlo simulations were 61.9p and 197.3p for 
the SAYE options and PSP awards respectively. 

The fair values of the share awards made during the year have been calculated using the following assumptions:

Award date

Weighted average share price (pence)

Weighted average exercise price (pence)

Expected volatility

Expected life

Risk free investment rate

Dividend yield

SAYE

PSP

09 April 2021

13 April 2021

296.4

230.0

38%

294.2

n/a

44%

3 – 5 years

3 – 5 years

0.13 – 0.36%

7.7%

0.09%

6.0%

Additional	financial	information

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207

Additional financial information continued

33 Share-based payments continued
(ii) Total recognised expense
The total recognised expense relating to share-based payments in 2021 was £33m (2020: £43m) before tax, all of which related to equity settled share 
schemes. This is broken down between the group’s plans as detailed below:

Share Bonus Plan (SBP)

Performance Share Plan (PSP)

Employee Share Plan (ESP)

Savings related share option scheme (SAYE)

Total share-based payment expense

(iii) Outstanding share options

2021
£m 

24

5

2

2

33

2020
£m 

27

13

2

1

43

SAYE
options
2021

Weighted average  
exercise price
2021
p

CSOP
options
2021

Weighted average 
exercise price
2021
p

SBP
options
2021

Weighted average 
exercise price
2021
p

Outstanding at 1 January

Granted during the year

Forfeited during the year

Exercised during the year

Expired during the year

Outstanding at 31 December

Exercisable at 31 December

Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)

18,232,974

6,186,694

(1,265,946)

(3,057,038)

(890,090)

19,206,594

12,969

3

204

230

212

202

208

212

194

3,957,155

1,369,409

–

(1,089,506)

(273,302)

3,963,756

–

9

246

125

–

269

255

256

–

Outstanding at 1 January

Granted during the year

Forfeited during the year

Exercised during the year

Expired during the year

Outstanding at 31 December

Exercisable at 31 December

Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)

SAYE
options
2020

Weighted average 
exercise price
2020
p

CSOP
options
2020

Weighted average 
exercise price
2020
p

13,316,235

11,119,385

(2,835,918)

(2,009,106)

(1,357,622)

18,232,974

39,424

3

210

199

210

203

210

204

221

3,570,864

1,716,010

–

–

(1,329,719)

3,957,155

3,252

9

267

204

–

–

248

245

118

586,514

152,723

–

(134,231)

(36,869)

568,137

52,410

8

SBP
options
2020

418,327

208,276

–

(1,203)

(38,886)

586,514

109,358

8

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Weighted average 
exercise price
2020
p

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Exercised during the year includes 1,202 options, which were predominantly CSOP options linked to SBP which have been settled using employee 
scheme shares.

(iv) Total options
Options over 23,738,488 shares (2020: 22,776,643 shares) are outstanding under CSOP, SAYE and SBP as at 31 December 2021. These options have 
a range of exercise prices between 0p and 295p (2020: 0 and 287p) and maximum remaining contractual life up to 2031 (2020: 2030).

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Financial statements

Other information

34 Share capital, share premium and employee scheme treasury shares

An	equity	instrument	is	any	contract	which	evidences	a	residual	interest	in	the	net	assets	of	an	entity.	It	follows	that	a	financial	instrument	
is treated as equity if:

• 
• 

there	is	no	contractual	obligation	to	deliver	cash	or	other	financial	assets	or	to	exchange	financial	assets	or	liabilities	on	unfavourable	terms;	and	
the instrument is either a non-derivative which contains no contractual obligation to deliver a variable number of own equity instruments, or is 
a	derivative	which	will	be	settled	only	by	the	group	exchanging	a	fixed	amount	of	cash,	or	other	financial	assets,	for	a	fixed	number	of	its	own	
equity instruments.

Where any group entity purchases the company’s equity share capital, the consideration paid, including any directly attributable incremental 
costs (net of income taxes), is deducted from equity attributable to shareholders. Where such shares are subsequently sold, reissued or otherwise 
disposed of, any consideration received is included in equity attributable to shareholders, net of any directly attributable incremental transaction 
costs and the related income tax effects. Shares held on behalf of employee share schemes are disclosed as such on the Consolidated 
Balance Sheet.

(i) Share capital and share premium

Authorised share capital

At 31 December: ordinary shares of 2.5p each

Issued share capital, fully paid

As at 1 January 2021

Options exercised under share option schemes

As at 31 December 2021

Issued share capital, fully paid

As at 1 January 2020

Options exercised under share option schemes

As at 31 December 2020

2021
Number
of shares

9,200,000,000

2021
£m

230

2020 
Number
of shares

9,200,000,000

Number
of shares

5,967,358,713

3,057,104

5,970,415,817

Number
of shares

5,965,349,607

2,009,106

5,967,358,713

Share
capital
£m

149

–

149

Share
capital
£m

149

–

149

2020
£m

230

Share
premium
£m

1,006

6

1,012

Share
premium
£m

1,000

6

1,006

There is one class of ordinary shares of 2.5p each. All shares issued carry equal voting rights.

The holders of the company’s ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared and are entitled to one vote per share at shareholder meetings 
of the company. 

(ii) Employee share plans
The	group	uses	the	Employees’	Share	Ownership	Trust	(ESOT)	and	the	Legal	&	General	Group	Employee	Share	Plan	(ESP)	to	purchase	and	hold	shares	
of the group for delivery to employees under various employee share plans. Shares owned by these vehicles are included at cost in the Consolidated 
Balance Sheet and are shown as a deduction from shareholders’ equity. They are disclosed as employee plan shares until they vest to employees. 
Share-based liabilities to employees may also be settled via purchases directly from the market or by the issue of new shares.

The ESOT has waived its voting rights and its rights to some of the dividends payable on the shares it holds. Employees are entitled to dividends on the 
shares held on their behalf within the ESP.

As at 1 January

Shares purchased

Shares vested

As at 31 December

2021
Number of
shares

35,306,671

11,862,090

(4,468,703)

42,700,058

2021
£m

75

34

(10)

99

2020
Number of
shares

31,190,048

10,054,526

(5,937,903)

35,306,671

2020
£m

65

23

(13)

75

Additional	financial	information

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

209

Additional financial information continued

35 Restricted Tier 1 convertible notes
On	24	June	2020,	Legal	&	General	Group	Plc	issued	£500m	of	5.625%	perpetual	restricted	Tier	1	contingent	convertible	notes.	The	notes	are	callable	at	
par between 24 March 2031 and 24 September 2031 (the First Reset Date) inclusive and every 5 years after the First Reset Date. If not called, the coupon 
from	24	September	2031	will	be	reset	to	the	prevailing	five	year	benchmark	gilt	yield	plus	5.378%.	

The	notes	have	no	fixed	maturity	date.	Optional	cancellation	of	coupon	payments	is	at	the	discretion	of	the	issuer	and	mandatory	cancellation	is	upon	
the occurrence of certain conditions. The Tier 1 notes are therefore treated as equity and coupon payments are recognised directly in equity. During the 
year coupon payments of £28m were made (2020: £7m). The notes rank junior to all other liabilities and senior to equity attributable to shareholders. 
On the occurrence of certain conversion trigger events the notes are convertible into ordinary shares of the Issuer at the prevailing conversion price.

The notes are treated as restricted Tier 1 own funds for Solvency II purposes.

36 Non-controlling interests
Non-controlling interests represent third party interests in direct equity investments, including private equity, which are consolidated in the group’s results.

As at 31 December 2021, non-controlling interests primarily represent third party ownership in Thorpe Park Holdings, a mixed residential/commercial 
retail space in which the group holds 50%.

No	other	individual	non-controlling	interest	is	considered	to	be	material	on	the	basis	of	the	year	end	carrying	value	or	share	of	profit	or	loss.

37 Other liabilities

Accruals

Deferred income

Other

Total other liabilities

Due within 12 months

Due after 12 months

38 Reconciliation of assets under management to Consolidated Balance Sheet

Assets	under	management¹

Derivative	notionals¹, ²

Third	party	assets¹, ³

Other¹, 4

Total financial investments, investment property and cash and cash equivalents

2021
£m

454

26

445

925

887

38

2021
£bn

1,421

(383)

(480)

7

565

2020
£m

410

2

344

756

715

41

2020
£bn

1,279

(340)

(419)

33

553

1.   These balances are unaudited.
2.   Derivative notionals are included in the assets under management measure but are not for IFRS reporting and are thus removed.
3.   Third party assets are those that LGIM manage on behalf of others which are not included on the group’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.
4.		 Other	includes	assets	that	are	managed	by	third	parties	on	behalf	of	the	group,	other	assets	and	liabilities	related	to	financial	investments,	derivative	assets	and	pooled	funds.	

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Financial statements

Other information

39 Related party transactions
(i) Key management personnel transactions and compensation
There	were	no	material	transactions	between	key	management	and	the	Legal	&	General	group	of	companies	during	the	period.	All	transactions	between	
the group and its key management are on commercial terms which are no more favourable than those available to employees in general. Contributions 
to	the	post-employment	defined	benefit	plans	were	£109m	(31	December	2020:	£137m)	for	all	employees.

At	31	December	2021	and	31	December	2020	there	were	no	loans	outstanding	to	officers	of	the	company.

The aggregate compensation for key management personnel, including executive and non-executive directors, is as follows:

Salaries

Share-based incentive awards

Key management personnel compensation

2021
£m

10

5

15

2020
£m

8

5

13

(ii) Services provided to and by related parties
All transactions between the group and associates, joint ventures and other related parties during the year are on commercial terms which are no more 
favourable than those available to companies in general. 

Loans and commitments to related parties are made in the normal course of business.

The group has entered into the following material related party transactions during the year:

•  Annuity contracts issued by Legal and General Assurance Society Limited for consideration of £82m (2020: £50m) have been purchased by the 

group’s	UK	defined	benefit	pension	schemes,	priced	on	an	arm’s	length	basis.

•  The	Legal	&	General	Group	UK	Pension	and	Assurance	Fund	(the	Fund)	completed	an	Assured	Payment	Policy	(APP)	transaction	with	Legal	and	
General Assurance Society Limited (LGAS), a group company. An APP is an investment contract product sold by LGR which, issued to a pension 
scheme,	provides	the	scheme	with	a	fixed	or	inflation	linked	schedule	of	payments	to	match	the	scheme’s	expected	liabilities.	In	June	2021,	£925m	
was paid by the Fund to LGAS, and LGAS and the Fund recognised an investment contract liability and an APP plan asset of the same amount, 
respectively. 

As at 31 December 2021, LGAS recognised a liability related to this APP transaction with the Fund of £882m which is included in the group’s non-participating 
investment	contract	liabilities.	Following	a	similar	transaction	in	2020	between	the	Legal	&	General	Group	UK	Senior	Pension	Scheme	(the	Scheme)	and	
LGAS, a further £332m (2020: £396m) is included in the group’s non-participating investment contract liabilities as at 31 December 2021. The Fund and 
Scheme hold transferable plan assets of the same amounts which do not eliminate on consolidation.

•  Loans outstanding from related parties at 31 December 2021 of £15m (2020: £89m), with a further commitment of £2m.
•  The group has total other commitments of £1,158m to related parties (2020: £1,207m), of which £726m has been drawn at 31 December 2021 

(2020: £772m).

40 Contingent liabilities, guarantees and indemnities
Provision for the liabilities arising under contracts with policyholders is based on certain assumptions. The variance between actual experience from that 
assumed may result in those liabilities differing from the provisions made for them. Liabilities may also arise in respect of claims relating to the interpretation 
of	policyholder	contracts,	or	the	circumstances	in	which	policyholders	have	entered	into	them.	The	extent	of	these	liabilities	is	influenced	by	a	number	of	
factors including the actions and requirements of the PRA, FCA, ombudsman rulings, industry compensation schemes and court judgments. 

Various group companies receive claims and become involved in actual or threatened litigation and regulatory issues from time to time. The relevant 
members of the group ensure that they make prudent provision as and when circumstances calling for such provision become clear, and that each has 
adequate capital and reserves to meet reasonably foreseeable eventualities. The provisions made are regularly reviewed. It is not possible to predict, with 
certainty,	the	extent	and	the	timing	of	the	financial	impact	of	these	claims,	litigation	or	issues.	

Group companies have given warranties, indemnities and guarantees as a normal part of their business and operating activities or in relation to capital 
market	transactions	or	corporate	disposals.	Legal	&	General	Group	Plc	has	provided	indemnities	and	guarantees	in	respect	of	the	liabilities	of	group	
companies in support of their business activities including Pension Protection Fund compliant guarantees in respect of certain group companies’ 
liabilities under the group pension Fund and Scheme. Legal and General Assurance Society Limited has provided indemnities, a liquidity and expense risk 
agreement, a deed of support and a cash and securities liquidity facility in respect of the liabilities of group companies to facilitate the group’s matching 
adjustment reorganisation pursuant to Solvency II.

Additional	financial	information

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

211

Additional financial information continued

41 Commitments
(i) Capital commitments

Authorised and contracted commitments not provided for in respect of investment property development, payable after 31 December:

–	Long-term	business

2021
£m

680

2020
£m

570

(ii) Lease commitment receivable – payments to be received under operating leases

Under certain lease agreements, the group, as the lessor, is considered to substantially retain all the risks and reward of ownership of the underlying 
asset,	therefore	these	contracts	have	been	classified	as	operating	leases.

The future undiscounted minimum lease payments under such arrangements are disclosed below:

Within 1 year

1–2	years

2–3	years

3–4	years

4–5	years

After 5 years

Total lease commitment receivable

Lease commitments payable are disclosed as part of the lease disclosure in Note 25.

42 Subsidiaries

Total
future
payments
2021
£m

342

330

311

298

287

3,391

4,959

Total
future
payments
2020
£m

310

310

301

288

275

4,124

5,608

The	Companies	Act	2006	requires	disclosure	of	information	about	the	group’s	subsidiaries,	associates,	joint	ventures	and	other	significant	
holdings.	A	complete	list	of	the	group’s	subsidiaries,	associates,	joint	ventures	and	significant	holdings	is	provided	in	Notes	42	and	43.

Subsidiaries are those entities (including special purpose entities, mutual funds and unit trusts) over which the group directly or indirectly has the 
power	to	govern	the	operating	and	financial	policies	in	order	to	gain	economic	benefits.	Profits	or	losses	of	subsidiary	undertakings	sold	or	acquired	
during the year are included in the consolidated results up to the date of disposal or from the date of gaining control. The interests of parties, other 
than	the	group,	in	investment	vehicles,	such	as	unit	trusts,	are	classified	as	liabilities	and	appear	as	‘Net	asset	value	attributable	to	unit	holders’	
in	the	Consolidated	Balance	Sheet.	The	basis	by	which	subsidiaries	are	consolidated	in	the	group	financial	statements	is	outlined	in	the	basis	of	
preparation (Note 1).

The particulars of the company’s subsidiaries, mutual funds and partnerships that have been consolidated as at 31 December 2021 are listed below. 
The main territory of operation of subsidiaries incorporated in England and Wales is the UK. For overseas subsidiaries the principal country of operation 
is the same as the country of incorporation. All subsidiaries have a 31 December year end reporting date and are 100% owned, unless stated otherwise. 
The	registered	office	of	all	subsidiaries	in	England	and	Wales	is	One	Coleman	Street,	London	EC2R	5AA,	United	Kingdom,	and	in	Ireland	is	Dillon	Eustace,	
33	Sir	John	Rogerson’s	Quay,	Dublin	2,	Ireland,	unless	otherwise	noted.	All	subsidiaries	are	held	through	intermediate	holding	companies	unless	noted	
that they are held direct by the company. Subsidiaries that are consolidated where the group owns less than 50% of the ordinary share capital, are 
consolidated based on an assessment of control normally arising from special rights attaching to the class of share owned, other contractual arrangements 
and factors such as the purpose of the investee, the nature of its relevant activities, voting rights (including potential voting rights) and substantive and 
protective rights. 

The group reassesses the appropriateness of the consolidation of an investee whenever facts and circumstances indicate that there has been a change 
in the relationship between the group and the investee which affects control.

212

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Financial statements

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Company name

Nature of business

Share class

Year end 
reporting 
date

% of equity 
shares held 
by the group

Country of incorporation: England and Wales

245 Hammersmith Road (General Partner) Limited

Development of building projects

245 Hammersmith Road Nominee 1 Limited

245 Hammersmith Road Nominee 2 Limited

245 HR GP LLP

Accelerated Digital Ventures Limited

ADV (GP) LLP

ADV ECF LP

ADV Management Limited

ADV Nominees Limited 

Antham 1 Limited

Banner (Spare) Limited1

Banner Construction Limited1

Banner Developments Limited1

Banner Freehold Limited1

Banner Homes Bentley Priory Limited1

Banner Homes Central Limited1

Banner Homes Group1

Banner Homes Limited1

Banner Homes Midlands Limited1

Banner Homes Southern Limited1

Banner Homes Ventures Limited1

Banner Management Limited1

Begbroke Oxford Limited

BQN	Limited

Dormant company

Dormant company

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Limited liability partnership

Members capital

Venture capital investing

Limited liability partnership

Limited partnership

Fund management activities

Activities of venture and development 
capital companies

Investment vehicle

Domestic building construction

Domestic building construction

Domestic building construction

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary 

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Letting and operating of leased real estate Ordinary

Domestic building construction

Domestic building construction

Domestic building construction

Dormant company

Domestic building construction

Domestic building construction

Domestic building construction

Domestic building construction

Construction of commercial buildings

Development of building projects

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

Bucklers Park Estate Management Company Limited

Management of real estate

Limited by guarantee

31-May

CALA (ESOP) Trustees Limited1

CALA 1 Limited1

CALA Group (Holdings) Limited1

CALA Homes (Chiltern) Limited1

CALA Homes (Midlands) Limited1

CALA Homes (North Home Counties) Limited1

CALA Homes (South Home Counties) Limited1

CALA Homes (Southern) Limited1

CALA Homes (Thames) Limited1

CALA Homes (Yorkshire) Limited1

CALA Properties Banbury Limited1

Cardiff Interchange Limited

Cardiff Interchange ManCo Limited

Care Secured Limited1

City	&	Urban	Developments	Limited

CleverMover Limited

Court Place Gardens Oxford Limited

Financial intermediation

Domestic building construction

Domestic building construction

Domestic building construction

Domestic building construction

Domestic building construction

Domestic building construction

Non-trading company

Non-trading company

Domestic building construction

Dormant company

Development of building projects

Management company

Dormant company

Holding company

Provision of services

Activities of other holding companies 
not	elsewhere	classified

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Cross Trees Park (Shrivenham) Management Company Limited

Residents property management

Limited by guarantee

ECV Partnerships Tattenhall Limited2

Limited partnership

Ordinary

Finchwood Park Management Company Limited

Residents property management

Limited by guarantee

Finovation UK Limited3

GO ETF Solutions LLP

Haut Investments 2 Limited

Haut Investments Limited

Inspired Villages Group Limited

Pension tracing and transfer service

Ordinary

Investment management

Partnership

Holding company

Holding company

Activities of other holding companies 
not	elsewhere	classified	

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

1.		 Registered	office:	Cala	House,	54	The	Causeway,	Surrey,	TW18	3AX
2.		 Registered	office:	The	Stanley	Building,	7	St	Pancras	Square,	London	N1C	4AG
3.		 Registered	office:	One	Coleman	Street,	London	EC2R	5AA	

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Jan

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

30-Dec

31-Dec

Additional	financial	information

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

213

50.0

50.0

50.0

50.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

66.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

50.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

54.6

Additional financial information continued

42 Subsidiaries continued

Company name

Interchange Central Square (General Partner) Limited

Interchange Central Square Limited Partnership

Investment Discounts On Line Limited

IPIF Trade General Partner Limited

IPIF Trade Nominee Limited

Jimcourt Limited1

L&G	Bristol	Temple	Island	Limited

L&G	Cash	Trust

L&G	Diversified	Fund

L&G	European	Equity	Income	Fund

L&G	Future	World	ESG	UK	Index	Fund

L&G	Future	World	Sustainable	Global	Equity	Focus	Fund

L&G	Future	World	Sustainable	Opportunities	Fund

Nature of business

General Partner

Limited liability partnership

Insurance agents and brokers 

General Partner

Dormant company

Domestic building construction

Construction of commercial buildings

Unit trust

Unit trust

Unit trust

Unit trust

Unit trust

Unit trust

Share class

Ordinary

Partnership

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Unit

Unit

Unit

Unit

Unit

Unit

L&G	Global	Developed	Four	Factor	Scientific	Beta	Index	Fund

Authorised contractual schemes

Ordinary

L&G	Global	Emerging	Markets	Index	Fund

L&G	Global	High	Yield	Fund

L&G	Global	Infrastructure	Fund

L&G	Global	Real	Estate	Dividend	Index	Fund

L&G	Global	Thematic	Fund

L&G	MSCI	World	Socially	Responsible	Investment	(SRI)	Fund

L&G	Multi-Asset	Target	Return	Fund

L&G	Short	Dated	Sterling	Corporate	Bond	Index	Fund

L&G	UK	Equity	Income	Fund

L&G	UK	Smaller	Companies	Trust

Legal	&	General	Residential	(BTR)	1	LLP

Legal	&	General	Residential	(BTR)	2	LLP

Legal	&	General	(PMC	Trustee)	Limited

Unit trust

Unit trust

Unit trust

Unit trust

Unit trust

Unit trust

Unit trust

Unit trust

Unit trust

Unit trust

Investment management

Investment management

Dormant company

Legal	&	General	(Portfolio	Management	Services)	Limited

Institutional fund management

Legal	&	General	(Portfolio	Management	Services)	Nominees	Limited

Dormant company

Legal	&	General	(Strategic	Land	Harpenden)	Limited

Legal	&	General	(Strategic	Land	North	Horsham)	Limited

Legal	&	General	(Strategic	Land)	Limited

Legal	&	General	(Unit	Trust	Managers)	Limited

Legal	&	General	(Unit	Trust	Managers)	Nominees	Limited

Legal	&	General	Affordable	Homes	(AR)	LLP

Activities of other holding companies 
not	elsewhere	classified	

Holding company

Holding company

Unit trust management

Non-trading company

Limited liability partnership

Legal	&	General	Affordable	Homes	(Capital)	Limited

Dormant company

Legal	&	General	Affordable	Homes	(Development	2)	Limited

Domestic building construction

Legal	&	General	Affordable	Homes	(Development	3)	Limited

Domestic building construction

Legal	&	General	Affordable	Homes	(Development)	Limited

Domestic building construction

Legal	&	General	Affordable	Homes	(Operations)	Limited

Development of building projects

Legal	&	General	Affordable	Homes	(SO)	LLP

Legal	&	General	Affordable	Homes	Limited

Legal	&	General	Capital	Investments	Limited

Legal	&	General	Co	Sec	Limited

Legal	&	General	Development	Assets	Holdings	Limited

Legal	&	General	Digital	Solutions	Limited

Legal	&	General	Employee	Benefits	Administration	Limited

Legal	&	General	Estate	Agencies	Limited

Legal	&	General	Finance	PLC

Legal	&	General	Financial	Advice	Limited

Legal	&	General	FX	Structuring	(SPV)	Limited

Legal	&	General	GP	LLP

Limited liability partnership

Development of building projects

Holding company

Dormant company

Holding company

Technology services

Non-trading company

Mortgage	finance	companies

Treasury operations

Mortgage	finance	companies

Special Purpose Vehicle

Development of building projects

Unit

Unit

Unit

Unit

Unit

Unit

Unit

Unit

Unit

Unit

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

1.		 Registered	office:	Cala	House,	54	The	Causeway,	Surrey,	TW18	3AX

214

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Financial statements

Year end 
reporting 
date

% of equity 
shares held 
by the group

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Jan

31-Dec

15-Feb

30-Apr

30-Sep

15-Nov

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Jul

5-Sep

31-Dec

20-Apr

31-Mar

12-Dec

31-Dec

15-Feb

24-Jan

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

50.7

74.3

10.4

76.3

25.0

92.3

34.6

10.3

21.7

11.9

13.6

29.1

11.7

35.5

14.2

19.1

27.1

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Company name

Legal	&	General	Holdings	No.2	Limited

Nature of business

Holding company

Legal	&	General	Home	Finance	Administration	Services	Limited

Provision of services

Legal	&	General	Home	Finance	Holding	Company	Limited

Holding company

Legal	&	General	Home	Finance	Limited

Legal	&	General	Homes	(Services	Co)	Limited

Mortgage	finance	companies

Provision of services

Legal	&	General	Homes	Communities	(Arborfield)	Limited

Development of building projects

Legal	&	General	Homes	Communities	(Crowthorne)	Limited

Development of building projects

Legal	&	General	Homes	Communities	(Didcot)	Limited

Other specialised construction activities 
not	elsewhere	classified	

Legal	&	General	Homes	Communities	(Shrivenham)	Limited

Development of building projects

Legal	&	General	Homes	Communities	Limited

Development of building projects

Legal	&	General	Homes	Holdings	Limited

Legal	&	General	Homes	Modular	Limited

Legal	&	General	Insurance	Holdings	Limited

Legal	&	General	Insurance	Holdings	No.	2	Limited

Legal	&	General	Investment	Management	(Holdings)	Limited

Holding company

Development of modular housing

Holding company

Holding company

Holding company

Legal	&	General	Investment	Management	Funds	ICVC

Open ended investment company

Legal	&	General	Investment	Management	Limited

Institutional fund management

Legal	&	General	Later	Living	Limited

Legal	&	General	Leisure	Fund	Trustee	Limited

Legal	&	General	Life	Fund	Limited	Partnership

Legal	&	General	LTM	Structuring	(SPV)	Limited

Legal	&	General	Middle	East	Limited

Legal	&	General	Overseas	Operations	Limited

Legal	&	General	Partnership	Holdings	Limited

Legal	&	General	Partnership	Services	Limited

Legal	&	General	Pension	Fund	Trustee	Limited

Legal	&	General	Pension	Scheme	Trustee	Limited

Legal	&	General	Pensions	Limited

Legal	&	General	Property	Limited

Holding company

Trustee

Limited partnership

Special Purpose Vehicle

Holding company

Holding company

Holding company

Provision of services

Dormant company

Dormant company

Limited company 

Development of building projects

Legal	&	General	Property	Partners	(Industrial	Fund)	Limited

General Partner

Legal	&	General	Property	Partners	(Industrial)	Nominees	Limited

Dormant company

Legal	&	General	Property	Partners	(IPIF	GP)	LLP

Legal	&	General	Property	Partners	(Leisure	GP)	LLP

Legal	&	General	Property	Partners	(Leisure)	Limited

Legal	&	General	Property	Partners	(Life	Fund)	Limited

Legal	&	General	Property	Partners	(Life	Fund)	Nominee	Limited

General Partner

General Partner

General Partner

Investment vehicle

Investment vehicle

Legal	&	General	Property	Partners	(UKPIF	Geared	Two)	Limited

Investment in UK real estate

Legal	&	General	Property	Partners	(UKPIF	Geared)	Limited

General Partner

Legal	&	General	Property	Partners	(UKPIF	Two)	Limited

Investment in UK real estate

Legal	&	General	Property	Partners	(UKPIF)	Limited

Legal	&	General	Re	Holdings	Limited

Legal	&	General	Residential	(Holdco)	Limited

Legal	&	General	Resources	Limited

Legal	&	General	Retail	Investments	(Holdings)	Limited

Legal	&	General	Senior	Living	Limited

General Partner

Holding company

Holding company

Provision of services

Holding company

Holding company

Legal	&	General	Suburban	BTR	(Development	2)	Limited

Development of building projects

Legal	&	General	Suburban	BTR	(Development)	Limited

Domestic building construction

Legal	&	General	Suburban	BTR	(Operations)	Limited

Development of building projects

Legal	&	General	Suburban	BTR	(Property)	LLP

Limited liability partnership

Legal	&	General	Surveying	Services	Limited

Legal	&	General	Trustees	Limited

Legal	&	General	UK	BTR	GP	Five	LLP

Legal	&	General	UK	BTR	GP	Four	LLP

Legal	&	General	UK	BTR	GP	Six	LLP

Provision of services

Fund trustee

Limited liability partnership

Limited liability partnership

Limited liability partnership

Share class

Year end 
reporting 
date

% of equity 
shares held 
by the group

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

–

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Partnership

Partnership

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

–

Ordinary

Ordinary

Partnership

Partnership

Partnership

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Oct

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

Additional	financial	information

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

215

Additional financial information continued

42 Subsidiaries continued

Company name

Legal	&	General	UK	BTR	GP	Three	LLP

Legal	&	General	UK	BTR	GP	Two	LLP

Legal	&	General	UK	BTR	Investment	GP	LLP

Legal	&	General	UKPIF	Two	GP	LLP

Nature of business

Limited liability partnership

Limited liability partnership

Limited liability partnership

Limited liability partnership

Share class

Partnership

Partnership

Ordinary

Partnership

Legal	&	General	Assurance	(Pensions	Management)	Limited

Long-term business

Legal	&	General	Assurance	Society	Limited

Long-term and general insurance

LGIM Commercial Lending Limited

LGIM Corporate Director Limited

LGIM Global Corporate Bond Fund

LGIM International Limited

LGIM Real Assets (Operator) Limited

LGIM Real Assets Limited 

LGP Newco Limited

LGPL No 2 Limited

Life and Mind Building Oxford Limited

Maltby Street Properties Limited

NSC Building A Limited

NSC Building B Limited

Commercial lending

Non-trading company

Open ended investment company

Institutional fund management

Development of building projects

Development of building projects

Dormant company

Fund management activities 

Construction of commercial buildings

Development of building projects 

Real estate trading

Real estate trading

Performance Retail (General Partner) Limited

Development of building projects

Performance Retail (Nominee) Limited

PRLP GP LLP

Dormant company

Limited partnership

Rowley Lane Borehamwood Limited

Construction of commercial buildings

Sapphire Campus Management Company Limited

Senior Living Medici Holdco Limited2

Senior Living Medici Limited2

Senior Living Tattenhall (Holdco) Limited

Senior Living Urban (Bath) Limited

Senior Living Urban (Epsom) Limited

Senior Living Urban (Uxbridge) Limited

Senior Living Urban (Walton) Limited

Senior Living Warwick (Holdco) Limited

Investment vehicle

Dormant company

Dormant company

Activities of other holding companies 
not	elsewhere	classified

Buying and selling of own real estate

Buying and selling of own real estate

Buying and selling of own real estate

Buying and selling of own real estate

Activities of other holding companies 
not	elsewhere	classified

Stratford	City	Offices	(No.	2)	General	Partner	Limited

Stratford	City	Offices	(No.	2)	Limited	Partnership

General Partner

Limited partnership

Sunderland Vaux 1 Limited

Terminus Road (Nominee 1) Limited

Terminus Road (Nominee 2) Limited

The Advantage Collection Limited1

Thorpe Park 3175 Limited4

Thorpe Park A2 Limited4

Thorpe Park Developments Limited4

Thorpe Park Holdings Limited4

TP Property Services Limited4

UKPIF Two Founder Partner LP

Venturemarket.org Limited

West Bar Square Limited

Country of incorporation: Hong Kong

Construction of commercial buildings

Dormant company

Dormant company

Domestic building construction

Buying and selling of own real estate

Other letting and operating of own 
or leased real estate

Property development company

Holding company

Property services

Limited partnership

Activities of venture and development 
capital companies

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Partnership

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Partnership

Ordinary 

Year end 
reporting 
date

% of equity 
shares held 
by the group

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

30-Sep

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Oct

31-Dec

31-Oct

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

73.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

9.5

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

50.0

50.0

50.0

50.0

50.0

–

100.0

Construction of commercial buildings

Ordinary

31-Dec

100.0

Legal	&	General	Investment	Management	Asia	Limited5

Institutional fund management

Ordinary

31-Dec

100.0

1.		 Registered	office:	Cala	House,	54	The	Causeway,	Surrey,	TW18	3AX
2.		 Registered	office:	The	Stanley	Building,	7	St	Pancras	Square,	London	N1C	4AG	
4.		 Registered	office:	Europa	House,	20	Esplanade,	Scarborough,	North	Yorkshire,	YO11	2AQ
5.		 Registered	office:	Room	902,	9th	Floor,	Chinachem	Tower,	34-37	Connaught	Road	Central,	Hong	Kong,	Hong	Kong

216

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Financial statements

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Nature of business

Share class

Year end 
reporting 
date

% of equity 
shares held 
by the group

OEUIC6

Ordinary

31-Dec

Pension tracing and transfer service

Ordinary and convertible 31-Dec

ICAV8

Exchange Traded Funds

Exchange Traded Funds

Company name

Country of incorporation: Ireland

Euro Liquidity Fund

Finovation Limited7

L&G	Asia	Pacific	ex	Japan	Equity	Index	Fund

L&G	Asia	Pacific	ex	Japan	Equity	UCITS	ETF9

L&G	ESG	China	CNY	Bond	UCITS	ETF9

L&G	ESG	Emerging	Markets	Government	Bond	(USD)	0-5	Year	UCITS	ETF9 Exchange Traded Funds

L&G	ESG	GBP	Corporate	Bond	0-5	Year	UCITS	ETF9

L&G	ESG	GBP	Corporate	Bond	UCITS	ETF9

Exchange Traded Funds

Exchange Traded Funds

L&G	ESG	Paris	Aligned	World	Equity	Index	Fund11

CCF10

L&G	ESG	USD	Corporate	Bond	UCITS	ETF9

L&G	Europe	ex	UK	Equity	UCITS	ETF9

L&G	Frontier	Markets	Equity	Fund

L&G	Future	World	Global	Credit	Fund	-	UK

L&G	Global	Equity	UCITS	ETF9

L&G	Global	Sustainable	Multi-Factor	Equity	Index	Fund

L&G	Heitman	Global	Property	Securities	Index	Fund

L&G	India	INR	Government	Bond	UCITS	ETF9

L&G	Japan	Equity	UCITS	ETF9

L&G	Lifesight	Alternative	Assets	Fund11

Exchange Traded Funds

Exchange Traded Funds

ICAV8

QIAIF12

Exchange Traded Funds

UCITS investment fund13

UCITS investment fund13

Exchange Traded Funds

Exchange Traded Funds

QIAIF	ICAV14

L&G	MFGAM	Global	Core	Infrastructure	Equity	Index	Fund

UCITS investment fund13

L&G	Multi	Asset	Core	20	Fund

L&G	Multi	Asset	Core	20	Fund

L&G	Multi	Asset	Core	45	Fund

L&G	Multi	Asset	Core	45	Fund

L&G	Multi	Asset	Core	75	Fund

L&G	Multi	Asset	Core	75	Fund

L&G	Rafi	Multi-Factor	Climate	Transition	Index	Fund11

L&G	UK	Gilt	0-5	Year	UCITS	ETF9

Legal	&	General	CCF

ICAV8

Unit trust

ICAV8

Unit trust

ICAV8

Unit trust

CCF10

Exchange Traded Funds

UCITS investment fund13

Legal	&	General	Fund	Managers	(Ireland)	Limited15

Institutional fund management

Legal	&	General	ICAV

OEUIC6

Legal	&	General	UCITS	Managers	(Ireland)	Limited

Institutional fund management

LGIM (Ireland) Risk Management Solutions Plc

Management company

LGIM 2024 Leveraged Index Linked Gilt Fund

LGIM 2025 Fixed Fund

LGIM	2025	Inflation	Fund

LGIM 2025 Real Fund

LGIM 2030 Fixed Fund

LGIM	2030	Inflation	Fund

LGIM 2030 Leveraged Index Linked Gilt Fund

LGIM 2030 Real Fund

LGIM 2034 Leveraged Index Linked Gilt Fund

LGIM 2035 Fixed Fund

LGIM	2035	Inflation	Fund

LGIM 2035 Real Fund

LGIM 2037 Leveraged Index Linked Gilt Fund

LGIM 2038 Leveraged Gilt Fund

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

6.   Open Ended Umbrella Investment Company
7.		 Registered	office:	Dillon	Eustace,	33	Sir	John	Rogerson’s	Quay,	Dublin	2,	Ireland	
8.   Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicle
9.		 Registered	office:	2	Grand	Canal	Square,	Dublin	2,	D02	A342
10.  Common Contractual Fund
11.		Registered	office:	70	Sir	John	Rogerson’s	Quay,	Dublin	2,	Ireland,	D02	XK09
12.		Qualifying	Investor	Alternative	Investment	Fund
13.  Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities investment fund
14.		Qualifying	Investor	Alternative	Investment	Fund	Irish	Collective	Asset-management	Vehicle
15.		Registered	office:	Grand	Canal	House,	1	Upper	Grand	Canal	Street,	Dublin	4,	Ireland

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Unit

Ordinary

Unit

Ordinary

Unit

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

31-Dec

30-Jun

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

30-Sep

30-Jun

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

3-Oct

4-Oct

30-Jun

31-Dec

31-Dec

5-Oct

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

30-Sep

31-Dec

30-Sep

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

41.4

100.0

49.0

13.9

46.5

85.2

81.0

72.9

100.0

79.8

64.3

54.4

100.0

68.9

100.0

18.7

27.2

69.0

69.0

100.0

100.0

87.4

100.0

87.4

100.0

87.8

100.0

79.5

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

Additional	financial	information

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

217

Additional financial information continued

42 Subsidiaries continued

Company name

LGIM 2040 Fixed Fund

LGIM	2040	Inflation	Fund

LGIM 2040 Leveraged Index Linked Gilt Fund

LGIM 2040 Real Fund

LGIM 2042 Leveraged Gilt Fund

LGIM 2042 Leveraged Index Linked Gilt Fund

LGIM 2045 Fixed Fund

LGIM	2045	Inflation	Fund

LGIM 2045 Leveraged Gilt Fund

LGIM 2045 Real Fund

LGIM 2047 Leveraged Index Linked Gilt Fund

LGIM 2049 Leveraged Gilt Fund

LGIM 2050 Fixed Fund

LGIM	2050	Inflation	Fund

LGIM 2050 Leveraged Index Linked Gilt Fund

LGIM 2050 Real Fund

LGIM 2055 Fixed Fund

LGIM 2055 Leveraged Gilt Fund

LGIM 2055 Leveraged Index Linked Gilt Fund

LGIM	2060	Inflation	Fund

LGIM 2060 Leveraged Gilt Fund

LGIM 2060 Real Fund

LGIM 2062 Leveraged Index Linked Gilt Fund

LGIM 2068 Leveraged Gilt Fund

LGIM 2068 Leveraged Index Linked Gilt Fund

LGIM Bespoke Active Credit Fund BP

LGIM Credit and Liquidity - Fund BN

LGIM Credit and Liquidity - Fund BM

LGIM ETF Managers Limited9

LGIM Euro 2030 Real Fund

LGIM Fixed Long Duration Fund

LGIM Fixed Short Duration Fund

LGIM Hedging Fund A

LGIM Hedging Fund AC

LGIM Hedging Fund AK

LGIM Hedging Fund AR

LGIM Hedging Fund AS

LGIM Hedging Fund AU

LGIM Hedging Fund AV

LGIM Hedging Fund AW

LGIM Hedging Fund AY

LGIM Hedging Fund AZ

LGIM Hedging Fund B

LGIM Hedging Fund BH

LGIM Hedging Fund BJ

LGIM Hedging Fund C

LGIM Hedging Fund DC

LGIM Hedging Fund L

LGIM Hedging Fund O

LGIM	Hedging	Fund	Q

LGIM Hedging Fund R

LGIM Hedging Fund V

LGIM Hedging Fund WH

Nature of business

Share class

Year end 
reporting 
date

% of equity 
shares held 
by the group

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

Investment management

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

9.		 Registered	office:	2	Grand	Canal	Square,	Dublin	2,	D02	A342
12.		Qualifying	Investor	Alternative	Investment	Fund

218

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Financial statements

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Nature of business

Share class

Year end 
reporting 
date

% of equity 
shares held 
by the group

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

OEUIC6

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

Company name

LGIM Hedging Fund WS

LGIM Hedging Fund WT

LGIM Hedging Fund ZZ

LGIM Hedging Fund AE

LGIM Hedging Fund AI

LGIM Hedging Fund AT

LGIM Hedging Fund BG

LGIM Hedging Fund BI

LGIM Hedging Fund BL

LGIM Hedging Fund BT

LGIM Hedging Fund BU

LGIM Hedging Fund BV

LGIM Hedging Fund CI

LGIM Hedging Fund CJ

LGIM Hedging Fund CK

LGIM Hedging Fund CL

LGIM Hedging Fund DJ

LGIM Hedging Fund DK

LGIM Hedging Fund DO

LGIM Leveraged Gilt Plus Fund

LGIM Leveraged Index Link Gilt Plus Fund

LGIM Leveraged Synthetic Equity Fund

LGIM Synthetic Leveraged Equity Fund - GBP Currency Hedged Fund

LGIM Liquidity Fund plc

LGIM Managers (Europe) Limited

LGIM	Maturing	Buy	&	Maintain	Credit	Fund	2030-2034

LGIM	Maturing	Buy	&	Maintain	Credit	Fund	2020-2024

LGIM	Maturing	Buy	&	Maintain	Credit	Fund	2025-2029

LGIM	Maturing	Buy	&	Maintain	Credit	Fund	2035-2039

LGIM	Maturing	Buy	&	Maintain	Credit	Fund	2040-2054

LGIM Real Long Duration Fund

LGIM Real Short Duration Fund

LGIM Solutions Fund M

LGIM Solutions Fund AO

LGIM	Solutions	Fund	AQ

LGIM Solutions Fund BA

LGIM Solutions Fund BB

LGIM Solutions Fund BF

LGIM Solutions Fund BK

LGIM Solutions Fund BW

LGIM Solutions Fund BX

LGIM Solutions Fund BY

LGIM Solutions Fund BZ

LGIM Solutions Fund CA

LGIM Solutions Fund CB

LGIM Solutions Fund CC

LGIM Solutions Fund CD

LGIM Solutions Fund CE

LGIM Solutions Fund CF

LGIM Solutions Fund CG

LGIM Solutions Fund CH

LGIM Solutions Fund CP

LGIM	Solutions	Fund	CQ

6.   Open Ended Umbrella Investment Company
12.		Qualifying	Investor	Alternative	Investment	Fund

Additional	financial	information

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

219

Additional financial information continued

42 Subsidiaries continued

Company name

LGIM Solutions Fund CS

LGIM Solutions Fund CT

LGIM Solutions Fund CU

LGIM Solutions Fund CW

LGIM Solutions Fund DB

LGIM Solutions Fund DD

LGIM Solutions Fund DE

LGIM Solutions Fund DF

LGIM Solutions Fund DH

LGIM Solutions Fund DI

LGIM Solutions Fund CM

LGIM Solutions Fund CN

LGIM	Solutions	Fund	DQ

LGIM Solutions Fund DR

LGIM Solutions Fund DU

LGIM Solutions Fund P

LGIM Synthetic Leveraged Credit Fund

LGIM Unlev Defensive Synthetic Equity Fund

LifeSight Alternative Assets Fund

LifeSight Credit Fund

LifeSight Equity Fund

LifeSight ESG Equity Fund

LifeSight	Higher	Target	Return	Diversified	Fund

LifeSight	Medium	Target	Return	Diversified	Fund

LifeSight Pre-Retirement Fund

Sterling Liquidity Fund

Sterling Liquidity Plus Fund

US Dollar Liquidity Fund

Country of incorporation: Japan

Nature of business

Share class

Year end 
reporting 
date

% of equity 
shares held 
by the group

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

QIAIF12

OEUIC6

OEUIC6

OEUIC6

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

5-Jan

7-Jan

1-Jan

2-Jan

4-Jan

3-Jan

6-Jan

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

55.8

25.4

44.8

Legal	&	General	Investment	Management	Japan	KK16

Investment management

Ordinary

31-Dec

100.0

Country of incorporation: Jersey

Access Development General Partner Limited17

Fund general partner

Bishopsgate Long Term Property Fund General Partner Limited18

Fund general partner

Bishopsgate Long-term Property Fund Nominees No 1 Limited18

Real estate operator

Bishopsgate Long-term Property Fund Nominees No 2 Limited18

Real estate operator

Borehamwood Property Unit Trust18

Canary Property Unit Trust19

Chineham Shopping Centre Unit Trust20

Gresham Street Unit Trust20

SCBD S6 Trust19

Sheffield	Vulcan	House	SPV	Limited18

Stratford	City	Offices	Jersey	Unit	Trust19

Synergy Gracechurch Holdings Limited19

Vantage General Partner Limited17

Country of incorporation: Luxembourg

L&G	Absolute	Return	Bond	Fund22

L&G	Absolute	Return	Bond	Plus	Fund22

L&G	Buy	&	Maintain	Credit	Fund22

Unit trust

Unit trust

Unit trust

Unit trust

Unit trust

Limited Company (Jersey)

Unit Trust

Investment vehicle

Fund general partner

SICAV21

SICAV21

SICAV21

6.   Open Ended Umbrella Investment Company
12.		Qualifying	Investor	Alternative	Investment	Fund
16.		Registered	office:	22F	Toranomon	Kotohira	Tower,	1-2-8	Toranomon,	Minato-ku,	Tokyo,	105-0001,	Japan
17.		Registered	office:	11-15	Seaton	Place	St	Helier	Jersey,	JE4	0QH
18.		Registered	office:	12	Castle	Street	St	Helier	Jersey,	JE2	3RT
19.		Registered	office:	Lime	Grove	House,	Green	Street,	St	Helier,	JE1	2ST,	Jersey
20.		Registered	office:	47	Esplanade,	St	Helier,	Jersey
21.  Société d’investissement à capital variable
22.		Registered	office:	2-4,	Rue	Eugene	Ruppert,	Luxembourg,	L-2453	Luxembourg

220

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Financial statements

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Unit

Unit

Unit

Unit

Unit

Ordinary

Unit

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

30-Jun

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

100.0

25.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

83.6

31.4

99.4

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Nature of business

Share class

Year end 
reporting 
date

% of equity 
shares held 
by the group

Company name

L&G	Commodity	Index	Fund22

L&G	Emerging	Markets	Bond	Fund22

L&G	Emerging	Markets	Short	Duration	Bond	Fund22

L&G	Euro	High	Alpha	Corporate	Bond	Fund22

L&G	Future	World	Global	Credit	Fund22

L&G	Future	World	Global	Equity	Focus	Fund22

L&G	UK	Core	Plus	Bond	Fund22

Legal	&	General	SICAV22

Country of incorporation: Scotland

CALA 1999 Limited23

CALA Group Limited23

CALA Homes (East) Limited24

CALA Homes (North) Limited24

CALA Homes (Scotland) Limited24

CALA Homes (West) Limited24

CALA Homes Limited24

CALA Land Investments (Bearsden) Limited23

CALA Land Investments Limited23

CALA Limited23

CALA Management Limited23

CALA Properties (Holdings) Limited24

CALA Ventures Limited23

UK PIF FGP LLP25

UKPIF Two Founder GP Limited25

Country of incorporation: USA

Banner Life Insurance Company26

Chesapeake Ventures, LLC27

FBV Financing-1, LLC27

FBV Financing-2, LLC27

FBV Financing-3, LLC27

First British Vermont Reinsurance Company II, Limited28

First British Vermont Reinsurance Company III, Limited27

Global Index Advisors Inc.29

Legal	&	General	America	Inc.30

SICAV21

SICAV21

SICAV21

SICAV21

SICAV21

SICAV21

SICAV21

Umbrella company for sub funds

Holding company

Domestic building construction

Domestic building construction

Domestic building construction

Non-trading company

Domestic building construction

Domestic building construction

Domestic building construction

Development of building projects

Head	office

Domestic building construction

Non-trading company

Domestic building construction

Fund general partner

Fund general partner

Long-term business

Limited company

Limited company

Limited company

Limited company

Reinsurance

Reinsurance

Investment advisory

Holding company

Legal	&	General	Investment	Management	America	Inc.30

Institutional fund management

Legal	&	General	Investment	Management	United	States	(Holdings),	Inc.30

Holding company

William Penn Life Insurance Company of New York Inc.31

Long-term business

Country of incorporation: Bermuda

First British Bermuda Reinsurance Company III Limited32

Legal	&	General	Reinsurance	Company	Limited33

Legal	&	General	Reinsurance	Company	No.2	Limited33

Legal	&	General	Resources	Bermuda	Limited33

Legal	&	General	SAC	Limited33

Country of incorporation: China

Reinsurance

Reinsurance

Reinsurance

Provision of services

Reinsurance

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

78.4

26.6

34.0

28.2

91.1

71.2

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

Legal	&	General	Business	Consulting	(Shanghai)	Limited34

Business information consultancy

–

31-Dec

100.0

21.  Société d’investissement à capital variable
22.		Registered	office:	2-4,	Rue	Eugene	Ruppert,	Luxembourg,	L-2453	Luxembourg	
23.		Registered	office:	Adam	House,	5	Mid	New	Cultins,	Edinburgh,	EH11	4DU
24.		Registered	office:	Johnstone	House,	52-54	Rose	Street,	Aberdeen,	AB10	1HA
25.		Registered	office:	50	Lothian	Road,	Festival	Square,	Edinburgh,	EH3	9WJ
26.		Registered	office:	1701	Research	Boulevard,	Rockville,	Maryland,	20850,	USA
27.		Registered	office:	850	New	Burton	Road,	Suite	201,	Dover,	Delaware,	19904,	USA
28.		Registered	office:	Marsh	Management	Services,	100	Bank	Street,	Suite	610,	Burlington,	VT,	05402,	USA
29.		Registered	office:	29	North	Park	Square,	Ste.201,	Marietta,	GA,	30060,	USA
30.		Registered	office:	Corporation	Trust	Centre,	1209	Orange	Street,	Wilmington,	New	Castle,	DE,	19801,	USA
31.		Registered	office:	100	Quentin	Roosevelt	Blvd,	PO	Box	519,	Garden	City	New	York,	11530,	USA
32.		Registered	office:	Clarendon	House,	2	Church	Street,	Hamilton,	Bermuda,	HM11,	Bermuda
33.		Registered	office:	Crown	House,	4	Par	La	Ville	Road,	Hamilton,	Bermuda,	HM08,	Bermuda
34.		Registered	office:	Southwest	ROOM,	Floor	3,	No.	2123	Pudong	Avenue,	China	(Shanghai)	Pilot	Free	Trade	Zone	(Bonded	Area),	Pudong	District,	Shanghai

Additional	financial	information

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

221

Additional financial information continued

43 Associates and joint ventures

Associates	are	entities	over	which	the	group	has	significant	influence	but	which	it	does	not	control.	It	is	presumed	that	the	group	has	significant	
influence	where	it	has	between	20%	and	50%	of	the	voting	rights	in	the	investee	unless	indicated	otherwise.	Joint	ventures	are	entities	where	the	
group and other parties have joint control over their activities. The basis by which associates and joint ventures are consolidated in the group 
financial	statements	is	outlined	in	the	basis	of	preparation	(Note	1).

The	group	has	the	following	significant	holdings	classified	as	associates	and	joint	ventures	which	have	been	included	as	financial	investments,	investments	
in associates or investments in joint ventures. The gross assets of these companies are in part funded by borrowings which are non-recourse to the group.

Year end 
reporting 
date

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

30-Sep

30-Jun

31-Dec

5-Apr

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

4-Apr

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Mar

31-Dec

31-Dec

1-Apr

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

Share
class

Partnership

Ordinary

Ordinary

Units

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Units

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Units

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary 

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary

% of equity 
shares held 
by the group

50.0 

50.0 

50.0

50.9 

50.0 

50.0 

50.0 

25.0 

7.5 

50.0 

50.0 

50.0 

35.4 

50.0 

50.0 

50.0 

20.0 

40.0 

36.0 

50.0 

50.0 

33.0 

25.0 

50.0 

40.0 

45.4 

50.0 

50.0 

50.0 

50.0 

50.0 

50.0 

50.0 

50.0 

Company name

Country of
incorporation

Accounting
treatment

245 Hammersmith Road Limited Partnership1

England and Wales

FVTPL

Access Development Limited Partnership2

Jersey

Equity Method

Austin Heath Management Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

Bracknell Property Unit Trust4, 5

Jersey

FVTPL

Bramshott Place Management Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

Bruntwood SciTech Limited6

England and Wales

Equity Method

CALA Evans Restoration Limited7

England and Wales

Equity Method

Investment
type

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Central St Giles Unit Trust5

Congencia Limited8

Jersey

Scotland

FVTPL

Equity Method

Associate

Durrants Management Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

ECV Partnerships Warwick Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

Elderswell Management Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

English Cities Fund1

England and Wales

FVTPL

ECV Partnerships Tattenhall Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

Gifford Lea Management Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

Great Alne Park Management Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

Household Capital Pty Limited9

Australia

Equity Method

Kao Data Limited10

Kensa Group Limited11

England and Wales

England and Wales

FVTPL

FVTPL

Ledian Gardens Management Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

Millbrook Village Management Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

Newcastle Science Central Developments LLP12

England and Wales

NTR Wind Management Limited13

Ireland

FVTPL

FVTPL

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Associate

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Associate

Associate

Associate

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Associate

Associate

Oxford University Property Development Limited14

England and Wales

Equity Method

Joint Venture

Pemberton Asset Management Holdings Limited15

Jersey

Salary Direct Holdings Limited16

Senior Living (Aylesbury) Limited3

England and Wales

England and Wales

Equity Method

FVTPL

FVTPL

Senior Living (Bramshott Place) Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

Senior Living (Broadbridge Heath) Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

Senior Living (Caddington) Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

Senior Living (Chandlers Ford) Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

Senior Living (Comberton) Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

Senior Living (Dore) Limited3

Senior Living (Durrants) Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

England and Wales

Equity Method

Associate

Associate

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

1.		 Registered	office:	One	Coleman	Street,	EC2R	5AA
2.		 Registered	office:	11-15	Seaton	Place,	St	Helier,	JE4	0QH,	Jersey
3.		 Registered	office:	Unit	3	Edwalton	Business	Park,	Landmere	Lane,	Edwalton,	Nottingham,	United	Kingdom,	NG12	4JL
4.		 Bracknell	Property	Unit	Trust	is	classified	as	a	Joint	Venture	because	the	group	does	not	control	the	entity.
5.		 Registered	office:	47	Esplanade,	St	Helier,	Jersey,	JE1	0BD
6.		 Registered	office:	Union,	Albert	Square,	Manchester,	England,	M2	6LW
7.		 Registered	office:	52-54	Rose	Street,	Aberdeen,	AB10	1HA
8.		 Registered	office:	Biodata	Innovation	Centre,	Wellcome	Genome	Campus,	Hinxton,	Cambridge	CB10	1DR
9.		 Registered	office:	Level	12/1	Nicholson	St,	East	Melbourne	VIC	3000
10.		Registered	office:	Kao	Data	Campus,	London	Road,	Harlow,	United	Kingdom,	CM17	9NA	
11.		Registered	office:	Mount	Wellington,	Fernsplatt,	Chacewater,	Truro,	Cornwall,	TR4	8RJ
12.		Registered	office:	Finance	And	Planning,	Newcastle	University,	King’s	Gate,	Newcastle	Upon	Tyne,	United	Kingdom,	NE1	7RU
13.		Registered	office:	Burton	Court,	Burton	Hall	Drive,	Sandyford,	Dublin	D18	Y2T8	
14.		Registered	office:	University	Offices,	Wellington	Square,	Oxford,	United	Kingdom,	OX1	2JD
15.		Registered	office:	44	Esplanade,	St	Helier,	Jersey	JE4	9WG
16.		Registered	office:	35-37	New	Street,	St	Helier,	Jersey,	JE2	3RA

222

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Financial statements

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Senior Living (Exeter) Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

Senior Living (Freelands) Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

Senior Living (Great Leighs) Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

Senior Living (Horndean) Limited3

Senior Living (Knowle) Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

England and Wales

Equity Method

Senior Living (Ledian Farm) Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

Senior Living (Liphook) Limited17

Jersey

Equity Method

Senior Living (Matchams) Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

Senior Living (Sonning Common) Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

Senior Living (Sunbury-on-Thames) Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

Senior Living (Tattenhall) Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

Senior Living (Tunbridge Wells) Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

Senior Living (Turvey) Limited3

Senior Living (Warwick Gates) Limited  
(formerly	Legal	&	General	(Warwick	Gates)	Limited)3

England and Wales

Equity Method

England and Wales

Equity Method

Senior Living Finance 1 Limited3

Senior Living (Halstead) Limited3

Senior Living (Walkern) Limited3

England and Wales

Equity Method

England and Wales

Equity Method

England and Wales

Equity Method

Sennen Finance Designated Activity Company18

Ireland

Equity Method

Smartr365 Finance Limited19

Smugglers Way Unit Trust2

Swandon Way Unit Trust2

England and Wales

FVTPL

Jersey

Jersey

Equity Method

Equity Method

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Joint Venture

Associate

Associate

Associate

Winchburgh Developments (Holdings) Limited20

Scotland

Equity Method

Joint Venture

2.		 Registered	office:	11-15	Seaton	Place,	St	Helier,	JE4	0QH,	Jersey
3.		 Registered	office:	Unit	3	Edwalton	Business	Park,	Landmere	Lane,	Edwalton,	Nottingham,	United	Kingdom,	NG12	4JL
17.		Registered	office:	3rd	Floor,	One	The	Esplanade,	St	Helier,	Jersey,	JE2	3QA
18.		Registered	office:	1-2	Victoria	Buildings,	Haddington	Road,	Dublin,	Ireland,	4	D04	XN32
19.		Registered	office:	1	Queen	Caroline	Street,	Hammersmith,	London,	United	Kingdom,	W6	9YN
20.		Registered	office:	Marathon	House	Olympic	Business	Park,	Drybridge	Road,	Dundonald,	Kilmarnock,	United	Kingdom,	KA2	9AE

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Mar

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary 

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

–

Ordinary

Units

Units

Ordinary

50.0 

50.0 

50.0 

50.0 

50.0 

50.0 

50.0 

50.0 

50.0 

50.0 

50.0

50.0 

50.0 

50.0 

50.0 

50.0 

50.0 

–

42.5

16.7 

16.7 

50.0 

On 4 November 2021, EDF Energy EV Limited (Pod Point) began trading on the London Stock Exchange and on that date the group’s shareholding in the 
company	decreased	from	22.3%	to	14.6%.	As	a	result,	the	group	has	lost	significant	influence	over	Pod	Point	and	the	investment	is	no	longer	classified	
as an associate.

Summarised	financial	information	for	associates	and	joint	ventures	accounted	for	under	the	equity	method	is	shown	below:

Current assets

Non-current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

(Loss)/Profit	from	continuing	operations	–	total

(Loss)/Profit	from	continuing	operations	–	group’s	share

Total	comprehensive	income	–	total

Total	comprehensive	income	–	group’s	share

Associates
2021
£m

Joint
ventures
2021
£m

Associates
2020
£m

15

184

10

27

(33)

(5)

(33)

(5)

557

906

184

448

60

30

60

30

7

153

51

2

(20)

(4)

(20)

(4)

Joint
ventures
2020
£m

213

1,233

145

766

(44)

(24)

(44)

(24)

The	associates	and	joint	ventures	have	no	significant	contingent	liabilities	to	which	the	group	is	exposed.	The	group	has	no	commitments	to	provide	
funding to associates and joint ventures other than the ones included in Note 41.

(ii) Other significant holdings
The	group	has	the	following	other	significant	holdings	which	have	been	included	as	financial	investments.

Company name

Bishopsgate Long-Term Property Limited Partnership1

Country of
incorporation 

Jersey

Year end 
reporting 
date 

31-Dec

Share class 

Limited Partner

% of equity 
shares held 
by the group 

25.0

1.		 The	net	asset	value	at	31	December	2021	was	£87.1m	(2020:	£87.4m)	and	the	registered	office	is	12	Castle	Street,	St	Helier,	Jersey,	JE2	3RT.

Additional	financial	information

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

223

Additional financial information continued

44 Interests in structured entities
A structured entity is an entity that has been designed so that voting or similar rights are not the dominating factor in deciding who controls the entity, such 
as when voting rights might relate to administrative tasks only and the relevant activities are directed by means of contractual arrangement. The group 
has	interests	in	investment	vehicles	which,	depending	upon	their	status,	are	classified	as	either	consolidated	or	unconsolidated	structured	entities	as	
described below:

Investment funds, largely being unit trusts; and

•  Debt securities, consisting of traditional asset backed securities, together with securitisation and debentures and Collateralised Debt Obligations (CDOs); 
• 
•  Specialised investment vehicles, analysed between Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicles (ICAVs), Open Ended Investment Companies (OEICs), 
Societes	d’Investissement	a	Capital	Variables	(SICAVs),	Specialised	Investment	Funds	(SIFs),	Qualifying	Investor	Alternative	Investment	Fund	(QIAIF),	
Liquidity funds, Common Contractual Fund (CCF), ICAVs, and Property unit trusts.

All of the group’s holdings in the above vehicles are subject to the terms and conditions of the respective investment vehicle’s offering documentation 
and are susceptible to market price risk arising from uncertainties about future values of those investment vehicles. The investment manager makes 
investment decisions after extensive due diligence of the underlying investment vehicle, including consideration of its strategy and the overall quality 
of the underlying investment vehicle’s manager.

All of the investment vehicles in the investment portfolio are managed by portfolio managers who are compensated by the respective investment vehicles 
for	their	services.	Such	compensation	generally	consists	of	an	asset-based	fee	and	a	performance	related	incentive	fee,	and	is	reflected	in	the	valuation	
of the investment vehicles.

(a) Interests in consolidated structured entities
The group has determined that where it has control over an investment vehicle, that investment is a consolidated structured entity. The group has not 
provided,	and	has	no	intention	to	provide,	financial	or	other	support	to	any	other	structured	entities	which	it	does	not	consolidate.	

(b) Interests in unconsolidated structured entities
As part of its investment activities, the group also invests in unconsolidated structured entities. As at 31 December 2021, the group’s interest in such 
entities	reflected	on	the	group’s	Consolidated	Balance	Sheet	and	classified	as	financial	investments	held	at	fair	value	through	profit	or	loss	was	
£21,216m (2020: £16,230m). A summary of the group’s interests in unconsolidated structured entities is provided below:

Debt securities

Analysed as:

Asset backed securities

Securitisations and debentures

CDOs

Investment funds and Specialised Investment Vehicles

Analysed as:

Unit trusts

Property limited partnerships

Exchange traded funds

ICAVs

OEICs

SICAVs

QIAIF	ICAVs

SIFs

Property unit trusts

Total

Financial
investments
2021
£m

Financial
investments
2020
£m

2,752

136

81

2,801

130

84

16,423

11,520

710

21

59

333

284

1

1

669

27

85

390

205

3

2

416

21,217

314

16,230

224

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Financial statements

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Management fees received for investments that the group manages also represent interests in unconsolidated structured entities, and the group always 
maintains an interest in those funds which it manages. Where the group does not manage the investments, its maximum exposure to loss is the carrying 
amount in the group’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. Where the group does manage these investments, the maximum exposure is the underlying balance 
sheet value, together with future management fees. 

The table below shows the assets under management of those structured entities which the group manages, together with investment management 
fees received from external parties.

Investment funds

Specialised Investment Vehicles

Analysed as:

OEICs 

SICAVs

Property limited partnerships

ETF

ICAV

QIAIF

Liquidity funds

CCF

Total

Investment 
management
fees
2021
£m

AUM
2021
£m

Investment 
management
fees
2020
£m

AUM
2020
£m

95,889

168

85,535

162

26,687

492

1,074

5,178

8,771

10,207

395

338

232

60

1

2

27

21

8

–

1

–

19,221

487

1,158

4,363

5,314

7,794

105

–

–

39

1

2

20

10

6

–

–

–

122,576

228

104,756

201

No	significant	sponsorship	has	been	provided	to	any	of	the	above	entities.	The	group	has	not,	and	has	no	intention,	to	provide	any	significant	financial	
or other support to any other structured entities which it does not consolidate.

In	addition	to	the	above,	the	group	has	an	exposure	of	£300m	(2020:	£316m)	related	to	special	purpose	vehicles	classified	as	joint	ventures	and	accounted	
for using the equity method, with a carrying value on the group’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2021 of £nil (2020: £nil).

Additional	financial	information

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

225

Company financial statements

Company Balance Sheet 

As at 31 December 2021

Non-current assets

Investments in subsidiaries

Loans to subsidiaries

Receivables: amounts due after more than one year

Current assets

Receivables: amounts due within one year

Derivative assets

Other	financial	investments

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Non-current liabilities

Payables: amounts falling due after more than one year

Current liabilities

Payables: amounts falling due within one year

Derivative liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

Share capital

Share premium

Revaluation reserve

Capital redemption and other reserves

Retained earnings

Attributable to ordinary shareholders

Restricted Tier 1 convertible notes

Total equity

Notes

6

6

6

7

10

8

9

10

12

13

2021
£m

9,522

702

188

Restated 
20201
£m

9,204

702

156

1,705

2,287

46

53

10

25

21

11

12,226

12,406

4,583

4,871

283

105

4,971

7,255

149

1,012

2,459

151

2,989

6,760

495

7,255

264

114

5,249

7,157

149

1,006

2,459

153

2,895

6,662

495

7,157

1.		 Amounts	receivable	related	to	the	Employee	Share	Ownership	Trust	are	expected	to	be	more	than	one	year.	Accordingly,	for	2020	an	amount	of	£156m	has	been	reclassified	from	Current	

assets to Non-current assets (1 January 2020: £136m), consistent with their treatment in 2021.

The	notes	on	pages	228	to	233	form	an	integral	part	of	these	financial	statements.

The	financial	statements	on	pages	226	to	233	were	approved	by	the	directors	on	8	March	2022	and	were	signed	on	their	behalf	by:

Sir John Kingman
Chairman

Sir Nigel Wilson
Group	Chief	Executive	Officer

Stuart Jeffrey Davies
Group	Chief	Financial	Officer

226

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Financial statements

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Company Statement of Changes in Equity

As at 31 December 2021

149

1,012

48

86

2,459

2,989

For the year ended 31 December 2021

As at 1 January 2021

Profit	for	the	financial	year

Net	movement	in	cross–currency	hedge

Options exercised under share 
option schemes

Shares vested and transferred from 
share–based	payment	reserve

Employee scheme treasury shares:
–	Value	of	employee	services

Dividends

Restricted Tier 1 convertible notes

Coupon payable in respect of restricted 
Tier 1 convertible notes net of tax relief

For the year ended 31 December 2020

As at 1 January 2020

Profit	for	the	financial	year

Net	movement	in	cross–currency	hedge

Options exercised under share 
option schemes

Shares vested and transferred from 
share–based	payment	reserve

Employee scheme treasury shares:
–	Value	of	employee	services

Dividends

Restricted Tier 1 convertible notes

Coupon payable in respect of restricted 
Tier 1 convertible notes net of tax relief

Called up
share
capital
£m

Share 
premium 
account
£m

Capital
redemption
reserve
£m

Hedging
reserve
£m

Share–based
payment
reserve
£m

Revaluation
reserve
£m

Retained 
earnings
£m

Total equity
attributable
to ordinary
shareholders
£m

149

1,006

17

35

–

13

–

–

–

–

–

–

101

2,459

–

–

–

(48)

33

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2,895

1,172

6,662

1,172

–

–

8

–

13

6

(40)

33

(1,063)

(1,063)

–

(23)

–

(23)

6,760

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

17

Restricted
Tier 1
convertible
notes
£m

495

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total
equity
£m

7,157

1,172

13

6

(40)

33

(1,063)

–

(23)

495

7,255

Called up
share
capital
£m

Share 
premium 
account
£m

Capital
redemption
reserve
£m

Hedging
reserve
£m

Share–based
payment
reserve
£m

Revaluation
reserve
£m

Retained 
earnings
£m

Total equity
attributable
to ordinary
shareholders
£m

Restricted
Tier 1
convertible
notes
£m

149

1,000

17

32

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

17

–

3

–

–

–

–

–

–

35

85

–

–

–

(27)

43

–

–

–

2,459

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2,815

1,122

6,557

1,122

–

–

12

–

3

6

(15)

43

(1,048)

(1,048)

–

(6)

–

(6)

101

2,459

2,895

6,662

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

495

–

495

Total
equity
£m

6,557

1,122

3

6

(15)

43

(1,048)

495

(6)

7,157

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

6

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

6

–

–

–

–

–

As at 31 December 2020

149

1,006

Company	financial	statements

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

227

Company financial statements continued

1 Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
These	financial	statements	have	been	prepared	in	accordance	with	the	Companies	Act	2006	as	applicable	to	companies	using	Financial	Reporting	
Standard	101,	‘Reduced	Disclosure	Framework’	(FRS	101).	The	financial	statements	have	been	prepared	under	the	historical	cost	convention,	as	
modified	by	the	revaluation	of	land	and	buildings	and	derivative	financial	assets	and	financial	liabilities	measured	at	fair	value	through	profit	and	loss.

There	were	no	material	critical	accounting	estimates	used	or	judgements	made	by	management	in	the	preparation	of	these	financial	statements.

The	following	exemptions	from	the	requirements	of	IFRS	have	been	applied	in	the	preparation	of	these	financial	statements,	in	accordance	with	FRS	101:

•  Paragraphs	45(b)	and	46	to	52	of	IFRS	2,	‘Share–based	payment’	(details	of	the	number	and	weighted–average	exercise	price	of	share	options,	and	

how the fair value of goods or services received was determined).

•  The	requirement	of	paragraphs	91	to	99	of	IFRS	13,	‘Fair	value	measurement’,	where	equivalent	disclosures	are	included	in	the	consolidated	financial	

statements of the group.

•  The	following	paragraphs	of	IAS	1,	‘Presentation	of	financial	statements’:

 – 10(d),	(statement	of	cash	flows),
 – 10(f) and 40A (presentation of a third balance sheet),
 – 16 (a statement of compliance with all IFRS),
 – 38 in respect of paragraph 79(a)(iv) (outstanding shares comparative),
 – 38A	(requirement	for	minimum	of	two	primary	statements,	including	cash	flow	statements),
 – 38B–D	(additional	comparative	information),
 – 111	(cash	flow	statement	information),	and
 – 134–136	(capital	management	disclosures);
IAS	7,	‘Statement	of	cash	flows’;
IFRS 7, ‘Financial Instrument Disclosures’;

• 
• 
•  Paragraphs 30 and 31 of IAS 8, ‘Accounting policies, changes in accounting estimates and errors’ (requirement for the disclosure of information when 

an entity has not applied a new IFRS that has been issued but is not yet effective);

•  The requirements in IAS 24, ‘Related party disclosures’ to disclose related party transactions entered into between two or more members of a group 

and key management compensation.

The	company’s	financial	statements	have	been	prepared	in	compliance	with	Section	394	and	396	of	the	Companies	Act	2006	adopting	the	exemption	
of omitting the income statement conferred by Section 408 of that Act. 

The	company’s	financial	statements	have	been	prepared	on	a	going	concern	basis.	See	Note	1	of	the	group	consolidated	financial	statements	for	further	
information on the Directors’ assessment of the going concern basis.

Financial assets
On	initial	recognition,	financial	assets	are	measured	at	fair	value.	Subsequently,	they	can	be	measured	at	amortised	cost,	fair	value	through	other	
comprehensive	income	(FVOCI)	or	fair	value	through	profit	or	loss	(FVTPL).	The	classification	depends	on	two	criteria:	
(i)	 the	business	model	within	which	financial	assets	are	managed;	and	
(ii)	their	contractual	cash	flow	characteristics	(whether	the	cash	flows	represent	‘solely	payments	of	principal	and	interest’	(SPPI)).

A debt instrument is measured at amortised cost if it meets the following conditions:
(i)	 it	is	held	within	a	business	model	that	has	an	objective	to	hold	financial	assets	to	collect	contractual	cash	flows;	and
(ii)	the	contractual	terms	of	the	financial	asset	result	in	cash	flows	that	are	solely	payments	of	principal	and	interest	on	the	principal	amount	
outstanding (SPPI).

A debt security is measured at FVOCI if it meets the following conditions:
(i)	 it	is	held	for	collection	of	contractual	cash	flows	and	for	selling	the	financial	assets;	and
(ii)	the	asset’s	cash	flows	represent	solely	payments	of	principal	and	interest.

Movements in the carrying amount are recognised in other comprehensive income except for the recognition of impairment gains or losses and interest 
revenue	which	are	recognised	in	the	income	statement.	When	the	financial	asset	is	derecognised,	the	cumulative	gain	or	loss	previously	recognised	in	
other	comprehensive	income	is	reclassified	from	equity	to	the	income	statement.

Assets	that	are	held	at	FVTPL	include	derivative	assets	which	are	held	for	trading	(HFT)	and	financial	assets	that	fail	both	the	business	model	and	
SPPI tests. A gain or loss on a debt investment that is subsequently measured at FVTPL is recognised in the income statement.

The company has no equity instruments other than investments in subsidiaries.

Loans and receivables are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently held at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

228

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Financial statements

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Impairment
For	financial	assets	held	at	amortised	cost	or	FVOCI	the	company	reviews	the	carrying	value	of	its	assets	at	each	balance	sheet	date.	For	such	assets,	
the	company	determines	forward	looking	expected	credit	losses	(ECL),	based	on	the	difference	between	the	contractual	cash	flows	due	in	accordance	
with	the	contract	and	all	the	cash	flows	that	the	company	expects	to	receive.	The	shortfall	is	then	discounted	at	an	approximation	to	the	asset’s	original	
effective interest rate.

The company measures loss allowance at an amount equal to lifetime ECLs, except for debt securities that are determined to have low credit risk at the 
reporting	date	and	other	debt	securities	for	which	credit	risk	has	not	increased	significantly	since	initial	recognition.	In	these	cases,	ECLs	are	based	on	
the	12–month	ECL,	which	is	the	ECL	that	results	from	a	possible	default	up	to	12	months	after	the	reporting	date.	The	company	uses	relevant	quantitative	
and	qualitative	information	and	analysis	based	on	historical	experience,	and	informed	credit	assessment	including	forward–looking	information	in	order	
to	evaluate	the	credit–worthiness	of	each	security	at	each	reporting	date,	to	determine	whether	a	significant	increase	in	credit	risk	since	origination	
occurred. Should this be the case, the allowance will be based on the lifetime ECL.

ECLs are calculated by considering the probability of default (PD), the loss given default (LGD) and the exposure at default (EAD). The PD is determined by 
reference	to	third	party	information	on	available	companies,	or	using	qualitative	information	available	to	the	company,	and	depends	on	whether	a	financial	
asset	requires	determination	of	a	12–month	ECL	or	lifetime	ECL.	The	LGD	is	determined	with	reference	to	any	exposure	reducing	instruments	such	as	
collateral or liquid assets that the counterparty may have. The EAD is determined as the amount of the loan balance outstanding at the reporting date.

Investment income
Investment income includes dividends and interest. Dividends receivable from group companies are recognised in the period in which the dividends are 
declared and approved at the general meeting or paid. Interest income is recognised using the effective interest method.

Distributions
Dividend distribution to the company’s shareholders is recognised as a liability in the period in which the dividends are authorised and are no longer at the 
discretion of the company. 

Interest expense
Interest	expense	reflects	the	underlying	cost	of	borrowing,	based	on	the	effective	interest	method	and	includes	payments	and	receipts	made	under	
derivative instruments which are amortised over the interest period to which they relate. 

Investment in subsidiary undertakings
Investments in subsidiaries are held at cost less accumulated impairment losses.

Derivative financial instruments
The	company’s	activities	expose	it	to	the	financial	risks	of	changes	in	foreign	exchange	rates	and	interest	rates.	The	company	uses	derivatives	such	
as foreign exchange forward contracts and interest rate swap contracts to hedge these exposures. 

Changes in the fair value of any derivative instruments are recognised immediately in the income statement. 

Borrowings
Borrowings	are	recognised	initially	at	fair	value,	net	of	transaction	costs.	Borrowings	classified	as	liabilities	are	subsequently	stated	at	amortised	cost.	
The difference between the net proceeds and the redemption value is recognised in the income statement over the borrowing period using the effective 
interest method.

Deferred tax
Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all temporary differences that have originated but not reversed at the balance sheet date, where transactions 
or events that result in an obligation to pay more tax in the future or a right to pay less tax in the future have occurred at the balance sheet date.

A net deferred tax asset is recognised as recoverable and therefore recognised only when, on the basis of all available evidence, it can be regarded as 
more	likely	than	not	that	there	will	be	suitable	taxable	profits	against	which	to	recover	carried	forward	tax	losses	and	from	which	the	future	reversal	of	
underlying temporary differences can be deducted. 

Deferred tax is measured at the average tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse, 
based on tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. Deferred tax is measured on an undiscounted 
basis. 

Deferred tax is recognised in respect of the retained earnings of overseas subsidiaries only to the extent that, at the balance sheet date, dividends have 
been accrued as receivable or a binding agreement to distribute past earnings in future periods has been entered into by the subsidiary. 

Foreign currencies
Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange prevailing at the time of the transactions. 
Monetary assets and liabilities expressed in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. 
Non–monetary	items	are	maintained	at	historic	rates.	Exchange	gains	or	losses	are	recognised	in	the	income	statement.

Company	financial	statements

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

229

Company financial statements continued

1 Accounting policies continued
Pension costs
The	company	participates	in	the	group	defined	benefit	schemes,	which	are	defined	benefit	plans	that	share	risks	between	entities	under	common	
control.	There	is	no	contractual	agreement	or	stated	policy	for	charging	the	net	defined	benefit	cost	for	the	plans	as	a	whole	to	individual	group	entities,	
therefore	the	company’s	cost	of	participation	has	been	treated	as	that	of	defined	contribution	schemes	for	reporting	purposes.	The	net	defined	benefit	
cost	has	been	recognised	in	the	separate	financial	statements	of	Legal	&	General	Resources	Limited,	the	sponsoring	employer	for	the	plans.

In	addition	to	these	schemes	the	company	also	contributes	to	defined	contribution	schemes.	The	company	charges	the	costs	of	its	pension	schemes	
against	profit	as	incurred.	Any	difference	between	the	cumulative	amounts	charged	against	profits	and	contribution	amounts	paid	is	included	as	
a provision or prepayment in the balance sheet.

The	assets	of	the	defined	benefit	schemes	and	the	defined	contribution	schemes	are	held	in	separate	trustee	administered	funds,	which	have	been	
subject	to	regular	valuation	every	three	years	and	updated	by	formal	reviews	at	reporting	dates	by	qualified	actuaries.

Share-based payments
The company operates a number of share-based payment plans on behalf of its subsidiaries. Full disclosure of these plans is given in Note 33 of the 
group	consolidated	financial	statements.	The	costs	associated	with	these	plans	are	borne	by	all	the	participating	group	businesses	where	they	relate	
to their employees and, where relevant, the company bears an appropriate charge. As the majority of the charge to the company relates to awards and 
options issued to the directors, for which full disclosure is made in the Directors’ report on remuneration, no further disclosure is provided here. 

2 Dividends

Ordinary dividends paid and charged to equity in the year:

Final 2019 dividend paid in June 2020

Interim 2020 dividend paid in September 2020

Final 2020 dividend paid in June 2021

Interim 2021 dividend paid in September 2021

Total dividends

Ordinary share dividend proposed1

1.  The dividend proposed has not been included as a liability in the balance sheet.

Dividend
2021
£m

Per share
2021
p

Dividend
2020
£m

Per share
2020
p

– 

– 

754

309

1,063

790

– 

– 

12.64

5.18

17.82

13.27

754

294

–

–

1,048

754

12.64

4.93

–

–

17.57

12.64

3 Directors’ emoluments and other employee information
Full	disclosures	of	Legal	&	General	Group	Plc	directors’	emoluments	are	contained	within	those	parts	of	the	Directors’	Report	on	Remuneration	which	are	
described as having been audited. At 31 December 2021 there were no remuneration payments outstanding with directors of the company (2020: £nil). 
The company has no other employees (2020: nil).

For purposes of the disclosure required by Schedule 5 to the Companies Act 2006, the total aggregate emoluments of the directors in respect of 2021 
was £4.0m (2020: £4.2m). The aggregate net value of share awards granted to the directors in the period was £4.2m (2020: £8.3m). During the year, the 
aggregate gains made by directors on the exercise of share options was £1.8m (2020: £2.2m).

230

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Financial statements

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

4 Pensions
The company participates in the following pension schemes in the UK, which are operated by the group:

•  Legal	&	General	Group	Personal	Pension	Plan;
•  Legal	&	General	Staff	Stakeholder	Pension	Scheme;
•  Legal	&	General	Group	UK	Pension	and	Assurance	Fund	(the	Fund).	The	Fund	was	closed	to	new	members	from	January	1995;	the	latest	triennial	

valuation at 31 December 2018 was completed on 1 July 2020. The triennial valuation at 31 December 2021 is in progress;

•  Legal	&	General	Group	UK	Senior	Pension	Scheme	(the	Scheme).	The	Scheme	was,	with	a	few	exceptions	(principally	transfers	from	the	Fund),	closed	

to	new	members	from	August	2000	and	finally	closed	to	new	members	from	April	2007;	the	latest	triennial	valuation	at	31	December	2018	was	
completed on 1 July 2020. The triennial valuation at 31 December 2021 is in progress.

These schemes operate within the UK pensions’ regulatory framework.

There were no contributions prepaid or outstanding at either 31 December 2021 or 31 December 2020 in respect of these schemes.

The	Fund	and	Scheme	were	closed	to	future	accrual	on	31	December	2015.	The	sponsoring	employer	is	Legal	&	General	Resources	Limited	and	
a	deficit	in	respect	of	these	schemes	for	the	year	ended	31	December	2021	of	£22m	(2020:	£70m)	is	recognised	on	that	company’s	balance	sheet.	
Further	information	is	given	in	Note	23	of	the	group’s	consolidated	financial	statements.

5 Auditor’s remuneration
Remuneration	receivable	by	the	company’s	auditors	for	the	audit	of	the	company’s	financial	statements	is	not	presented.	The	group’s	consolidated	
financial	statements	disclose	the	aggregate	remuneration	receivable	by	the	company’s	auditors	for	the	audit	of	the	group’s	financial	statements,	which	
include	the	company’s	financial	statements	(Note	31).

The	disclosure	of	fees	payable	to	the	auditors	and	its	associates	for	other	(non–audit)	services	has	not	been	made	because	the	group’s	consolidated	
financial	statements	are	required	to	disclose	such	fees	on	a	consolidated	basis.

6 Non-current assets

As at 1 January

Additions1

Transfer from/(to) current assets

As at 31 December

Investments
in subsidiaries
2021
£m

Loans to
subsidiaries
2021
£m

9,204

318

– 

9,522

702

– 

– 

702

Receivables 
amounts due
 after more 
than one year
2021
£m

156

– 

32

188

Total
2021
£m

10,062

318

32

10,412

Investments
in subsidiaries
2020
£m

Loans to 
subsidiaries
2020
£m

8,950

254

–	

9,204

702

–	

–

702

Receivables 
amounts due
 after more 
than one
year2
2020
£m

136

–	

20

156

Total
2020
£m

9,788

254

20

10,062

1.   Additions represent capital injections into group undertakings. 
2.   For 2020, receivables related to the Employee Share Ownership Trust have been reallocated from Current assets to Non-current assets, consistent with their treatment in 2021. 

Full	disclosure	of	the	company’s	investments	in	subsidiary	undertakings	is	contained	in	Note	42	of	the	Group’s	consolidated	financial	statements.

Company	financial	statements

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

231

Company financial statements continued

7 Receivables

Amounts owed by group undertakings1, 2

Corporation tax

Deferred tax

Other debtors

Receivables

2021
£m

1,489

94

37

85

2020
£m

2,099

75

32

81

1,705

2,287

1.   Amounts owed by group undertakings are repayable at the request of either party and include a £1,079m (2020: £1,768m) interest bearing balance with a current interest rate of 

SONIA+CAS-12.5	bps,	floored	at	zero.

2.   For 2020, receivables related to the Employee Share Ownership Trust have been reallocated from Current assets to Non-current assets, consistent with their treatment in 2021.

8 Payables: amounts falling due after more than one year

Subordinated borrowings

Amounts owed to group undertakings1

Payables: amounts falling due after more than one year

Note

11

2021
£m

3,672

911

4,583

2020
£m

3,959

912

4,871

1.  Amounts owed to group undertakings falling due after more than one year are unsecured and include £901m (2020: £901m) of interest bearing balances with current interest rates between 

2.39% and 6.12% (2020: 2.39% and 6.12%).

9 Payables: amounts falling due within one year

Amounts owed to group undertakings1

Accrued interest on subordinated borrowings

Other payables

Payables: amounts falling due within one year

1.  Amounts owed to group undertakings falling due within one year are interest free and repayable at the request of either party.

10 Derivative assets and liabilities

Currency	swap	contracts	–	held	for	trading

Derivative assets and liabilities

Currency	swap	contracts	–	held	for	trading

Derivative assets and liabilities

A	description	of	each	type	of	derivative	is	given	in	Note	12	of	the	group’s	consolidated	financial	statements.

Note

11

2021
£m

180

28

75

283

2020
£m

140

41

83

264

Fair values

Assets
2021
£m

46

46

Liabilities
2021
£m

105

105

Fair values

Assets
2020
£m

25

25

Liabilities
2020
£m

114

114

232

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Financial statements

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

11 Borrowings

Subordinated borrowings2

10% Sterling subordinated notes 2041 (Tier 2)

5.5% Sterling subordinated notes 2064 (Tier 2)

5.375% Sterling subordinated notes 2045 (Tier 2)

5.25% US Dollar subordinated notes 2047 (Tier 2)

5.55% US Dollar subordinated notes 2052 (Tier 2)

5.125% Sterling subordinated notes 2048 (Tier 2)

3.75% Sterling subordinated notes 2049 (Tier 2)

4.5% Sterling subordinated notes 2050 (Tier 2)

Total subordinated borrowings 

Carrying
amount
20211
£m

Coupon
rate
2021
%

– 

590

604

635

373

400

598

500

– 

5.50

5.38

5.25

5.55

5.13

3.75

4.50

Fair
value
20211
£m

– 

776

673

694

428

461

632

558

Carrying
amount
20201
£m

Coupon
rate
2020
%

313

589

604

628

369

400

598

499

10.00

5.50

5.38

5.25

5.55

5.13

3.75

4.50

Fair
value
20201
£m

329

813

714

703

411

484

662

587

3,700 

4,222 

4,000 

4,703 

1.   Includes accrued interest on subordinated borrowings of £28m (2020: £41m).
2.		 Further	details	on	the	subordinated	borrowings	of	the	company	are	provided	in	Note	22	of	the	group’s	consolidated	financial	statements.

12 Share capital and share premium
A summary of the company’s ordinary share capital, share premium and options over the company’s ordinary share capital are disclosed in Note 34 
of	the	group’s	consolidated	financial	statements.	

13 Restricted Tier 1 convertible notes
On	24	June	2020,	Legal	&	General	Group	Plc	issued	£500m	of	5.625%	perpetual	restricted	Tier	1	contingent	convertible	notes.	The	notes	are	callable	at	
par between 24 March 2031 and 24 September 2031 (the First Reset Date) inclusive and every 5 years after the First Reset Date. If not called, the coupon 
from	24	September	2031	will	be	reset	to	the	prevailing	five	year	benchmark	gilt	yield	plus	5.378%.	

The	notes	have	no	fixed	maturity	date.	Optional	cancellation	of	coupon	payments	is	at	the	discretion	of	the	issuer	and	mandatory	cancellation	is	upon	
the occurrence of certain conditions. The Tier 1 notes are therefore treated as equity and coupon payments are recognised directly in equity. During the 
year coupon payments of £28m were made (2020: £7m). The notes rank junior to all other liabilities and senior to equity attributable to shareholders. 
On the occurrence of certain conversion trigger events the notes are convertible into ordinary shares of the Issuer at the prevailing conversion price.

The notes are treated as restricted Tier 1 own funds for Solvency II purposes.

Company	financial	statements

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

233

Directors’ report

The Directors’ report required under the Companies Act 2006 comprises 
this Directors’ report, and certain other disclosures in the Strategic Report 
and	the	Notes	to	the	group	consolidated	financial	statements,	including:

•  An outline of important events that have occurred during the year 

(pages 30 to 51)

•  An indication of likely future developments (pages 30 to 51)
•  Employee engagement (pages 49 to 50 and 74)
•  Directors’ biographies (pages 62 to 63)
•  Workforce engagement (page 74)
•  Stakeholders (pages 16 to 17)
•  Section 172 statement (pages 68 to 72)
•  The Board’s activities in relation to assessing and monitoring culture 

(page 80)

•  A	summary	of	our	Diversity	&	Inclusion	policy	can	be	found	on	pages	84	

to 85 and the full policy can be found on the website: group.
legalandgeneral.com/en/about-us/corporate-governance/diversity

•  There are no post balance sheet events

Articles of Association
The Company’s Articles of Association may only be amended by a special 
resolution at a general meeting of shareholders. The Company’s Articles 
of Association were last amended at its Annual General Meeting held on 
20 May 2021.

Conflicts of interest
In accordance with the Companies Act 2006, the Board has adopted a 
policy and procedure for the disclosure and authorisation (if appropriate) 
of	conflicts	of	interest,	and	these	have	been	followed	during	2021.

Powers of directors
The directors (as detailed on pages 62 to 63) may exercise all powers 
of the Company subject to applicable legislation and regulation and the 
Company’s Articles of Association.

Appointment and replacement of directors
With regards to the appointment and replacement of directors, the 
Company is governed by its Articles of Association, the Companies Act 
2006 and related legislation. Directors may be appointed by an ordinary 
resolution of the Company or by the Board, in each case subject to the 
provisions of the Company’s Articles of Association. The Company may, 
by way of special resolution, remove any director before the expiration of 
that	director’s	period	of	office.	The	Company’s	Articles	of	Association	(in	
line with the UK Corporate Governance Code) require all the directors to 
retire	from	office	at	each	Annual	General	Meeting	of	the	Company.

Share capital
As at 31 December 2021, the Company’s issued share capital comprised 
5,970,415,817 ordinary shares each with a nominal value of 2.5 pence. 
Details of the ordinary share capital can be found in Note 34 to the group 
consolidated	financial	statements.

At the 2021 AGM, the Company was granted authority by shareholders to 
purchase up to 596,759,391 ordinary shares, being 10% of the issued share 
capital of the Company as at 31 March 2021. In the year to 31 December 
2021, no shares were purchased by the Company. This authority will expire 
at the 2022 AGM. As such, a resolution is proposed in the Notice of AGM 
seeking shareholder approval to renew this authority.

At the 2021 AGM, the directors were given the power to allot shares up to 
an amount of £49,729,949, being 33% of the issued share capital of the 
Company as at 31 March 2021. This authority will also expire at the 2022 
AGM. As such, a resolution is proposed in the Notice of AGM seeking 
shareholder approval to renew this authority.

Further resolutions are proposed, as set out in the Notice of AGM, that 
will, if approved by shareholders, authorise the directors to issue shares 
up to the equivalent of 10% of the company’s issued share capital as 
at	31	March	2022	for	cash	without	offering	the	shares	first	to	existing	
shareholders in proportion to their holdings.

Detailed explanatory notes to these resolutions are set out in the Notice 
of AGM.

Other than the above, the directors have no current intention of issuing 
further share capital and no issue will be made which would effectively 
alter control of the company without prior approval of shareholders in 
a general meeting.

Interests in voting rights
Information on major interests in shares provided to the Company under 
the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules (DTR) of the UK Listing 
Authority is published via a Regulatory Information Service and on the 
Company’s website: www.legalandgeneralgroup.com. As at 31 December 
2021,	the	Company	had	been	advised	of	the	following	significant	direct	
and indirect interests in the issued share capital of the Company:

BlackRock Inc.

RBC

Number 
of ordinary 
shares of 2.5p

298,315,445

181,825,498

Total  
interest 
in issued 
share capital

Indirect 

Indirect

% of  
capital1

5.00

3.045

1.	 Using	the	voting	rights	figure	as	at	31	December	2021,	as	announced	to	the	London	Stock	

Exchange on 4 January 2022, of 5,970,415,817.

No material changes to the interests have been disclosed between 
31 December 2021 and 4 March 2022.

Dividend
The Company may, by ordinary resolution in a general meeting, declare 
dividends in accordance with the respective rights of the members, but 
no dividend can exceed the amount recommended by the Board. The 
directors	propose	a	final	dividend	for	the	year	ended	31	December	2021	
of 13.27 pence per ordinary share which, together with the interim dividend 
of 5.18 pence per ordinary share paid to shareholders on 20 September 
2021, will make a total dividend for the year of 18.45 pence (2020: 17.57 
pence).	Subject	to	shareholder	approval	at	the	AGM,	the	final	dividend	will	
be paid on 1 June 2022 to shareholders on the share register on 22 April 
2022 provided that the Board may cancel payment of the dividend at any 
time prior to payment in accordance with the Articles of Association, if it 
considers it necessary to do so for regulatory capital purposes.

Related party transactions
Details of related party transactions are set out in Note 39 to the group 
consolidated	financial	statements.

234

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Other information

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Change of control
There are no agreements between the Company and its directors or 
employees	providing	for	compensation	for	loss	of	office	or	employment	
(whether through resignation, purported redundancy or otherwise) in the 
event of a takeover bid, except for those relating to normal notice periods. 
The rules of the Company’s share plans contain provisions under which 
options and awards to participants, including executive directors, may 
vest on a takeover or change of control of the Company or transfer of 
undertaking. The Company has a committed £1 billion bank syndicated 
credit facility which is terminable if revised terms cannot be agreed with 
the syndicate of banks in a 30-day period following a change of control. 
As at 8 March 2022, the Company has no borrowings under this facility. 
There is no change of control conditions in the terms of any of the 
company’s outstanding debt securities. The terms of the Company’s 
agreements with its banking counterparties, under which derivative 
transactions are undertaken, include in some instances the provision 
for termination of transactions upon takeover/ merger depending on 
the rating of the merged entity. The Company does not have any other 
committed banking arrangements, either drawn or undrawn, which 
incorporate any unilateral change of control conditions.

Use of financial instruments
Information on the group’s risk management process is set out on pages 
52	to	59.	More	details	on	risk	management	and	the	financial	instruments	
used	are	set	out	in	Notes	15	to	17	of	the	group	consolidated	financial	
statements.

Indemnities
The Company has agreed to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, 
each of the directors against any liability incurred by a director in respect 
of	acts	or	omissions	arising	in	the	course	of	their	office.	Qualifying	pension	
scheme	indemnities	(as	defined	in	section	235	of	the	Companies	Act	
2006) apply, to the extent permitted by law, to certain directors of the 
Company’s pension schemes. The indemnities were in force throughout 
2021 and remain so. Copies of the deeds containing the relevant indemnity 
are	available	for	inspection	at	the	Company’s	registered	office	and	will	also	
be available at the AGM.

Requirements of Listing Rule 9.8.4
Information to be included in the annual report and accounts under Listing 
Rule 9.8.4 may be found as follows:

Relevant Listing Rule

LR 9.8.4R (12)

LR 9.8.4R (13)

Page

235

235

Political donations
No political donations were made during 2021.

Insurance
The	Company	has	arranged	appropriate	directors’	and	officers’	liability	
insurance for directors. This is reviewed annually.

Rights and obligations attaching to shares
The rights and obligations relating to the Company’s ordinary shares are 
set out in the Articles of Association. A copy of the Articles of Association 
can be requested from the Company Secretary at the Company’s 
registered	office.

Holders of ordinary shares are entitled to attend, speak and vote at general 
meetings. In a vote on a show of hands, every member present in person 
or every proxy present, who has been duly appointed by a member, will 
have one vote and on a poll every member present in person or by proxy 
shall have one vote for every ordinary share held. These rights are subject 
to any special terms as to voting upon which any shares may be issued 
or may at the relevant time be held and to any other provisions of the 
Company’s Articles of Association. Under the Companies Act 2006 and 
the Articles of Association, directors have the power to suspend voting 
rights and, in certain circumstances, the right to receive dividends in 
respect of shares where the holder of those shares fails to comply with 
a notice issued under section 793 of the Companies Act 2006.

The Board can decline to register a transfer of any share which is not a fully 
paid	share.	In	addition,	registration	of	a	transfer	of	an	uncertificated	share	
may	be	refused	in	the	circumstances	set	out	in	the	uncertificated	
securities rules and where the number of joint holders exceeds four.
The	Board	may	also	refuse	to	register	the	transfer	of	a	certificated	share	
unless:

a)  the instrument of transfer is duly stamped and is left at the Company’s 
registered	office	or	such	other	place	as	the	Board	may	from	time	to	
time	determine,	accompanied	by	the	certificate	for	the	share	to	which	
it relates and such evidence as the Board may reasonably require to 
show the right of the transfer or to make the transfer.

b)  the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of share; and
c)  the number of joint holders does not exceed four.

Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act 2006, all or any of the 
rights attaching to an existing class of shares may be varied from time 
to time, either with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than 
three-quarters in nominal value of the issued shares of that class 
(excluding any treasury shares) or with the sanction of a special resolution 
passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of those shares.

Shares acquired through the employee share plans rank equally with all 
other ordinary shares in issue. Zedra Trust Company (Guernsey) Limited, 
as	trustee	of	the	Legal	&	General	Employees’	Share	Ownership	Trust,	held	
0.69% of the issued share capital of the Company as at 4 March 2022 in 
trust	for	the	benefit	of	the	executive	directors,	senior	executives	and	
employees	of	the	group.	The	trustee	of	Legal	&	General	Employees’	Share	
Ownership Trust has waived the right of that trust to receive dividends on 
unallocated shares it holds. The voting rights in relation to these shares are 
exercised by the trustee. The trustee may vote or abstain from voting, or 
accept	or	reject	any	offer	relating	to	shares,	in	any	way	it	sees	fit,	without	
incurring any liability and without being required to give reasons for its 
decision.	Under	the	rules	of	the	Legal	&	General	Group	Employee	Share	
Plan (the ‘Plan’), eligible employees are entitled to acquire shares in the 
Company. Plan shares are held in trust for participants by Link Market 
Services Trustees Limited, which held 0.28% of the issued share capital 
of the Company as at 4 March 2022. Voting rights are exercised by the 
trustees on receipt of the participants’ instructions. If a participant does 
not submit an instruction to the trustees, no vote is registered. In addition, 
the trustees do not vote on any unallocated  shares held in the trust.

The Company is not aware of any agreements between shareholders 
which may result in restrictions on the transfer of securities and/or 
voting rights.

Directors’ report

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

235

Directors’ report 
continued

Greenhouse gas (GHG) disclosures 
Global GHG emissions data

Emissions source (tCO2e)

Scope 1
–	UK
–	International

Scope 2 – Location
–	UK
–	International

Scope 2 – Market
–	UK
–	International

Fugitive emissions (included in Scope 1)

Scope 3 – Operations
–	Business	travel
–	Homeworking
–	Serviced	offices

Jan–Dec
2021

*13,350
13,324
26

*17,356
16,537
819

*2,700
1,881
819

127

5,466
2,070 
3,025 
371

Jan–Dec
20201

12,407
12,365
42

19,233
18,295
938

1,122
184
938

188

4,946
3,045
1,817
84

Scope 3 – Investments (million tCO2e)

7.0

8.3

Intensity ratio: tCO2e emissions per employee 
(Scope 1 and 2)

2.86

3.11

Global energy data

Energy (MWh)

Total Electricity
–	UK
–	International

Gas
–	UK
–	International

On-site fuel (UK only)

Total energy use

Jan–Dec
2021

80,204
77,604
2,600

44,970
44,908
62

18,121

Jan–Dec
20201

78,781
75,793
2,988

53,923
53,694
229

32,929

143,295

165,633

* 

 Our total Scope 1, Scope 2 (location) and Scope 2 (Market) emissions have been 
subject to independent limited assurance by PwC. The basis of preparation 
(or reporting criteria) for our group carbon footprint is available at 
group.legalandgeneral.com/sustainabilityreports and PwC’s assurance 
report is available on page 45 of our 2021 climate report.

Data Sources: carbon data is collected and aggregated to provide a group-wide footprint and 
is based on a combination of actual, extrapolated, estimated and benchmarked data. Data is 
sourced from meter readings, invoices, supplier reports, expenses and travel booking systems. 
Refer to our reporting criteria document for further details: group.legalandgeneral.com/
sustainabilityreports. 

Scope 1: All direct emissions from the activities under control.

Scope 2: Emissions from purchased or acquired electricity, steam, heat and cooling.
•  	Location	based	–	reflects	the	average	emissions	intensity	of	grids	on	which	energy	

consumption occurs.

•  	Market	based	–	reflects	emissions	from	electricity	purposefully	chosen.	It	derives	emission	

factors from contractual instruments.

Scope 3: Indirect emissions from our value chain.
•  	Business	travel:	Includes	business	mileage,	flights	and	train	journeys	for	European	

and US operations.

•   Homeworking: Assessment of the impact of employees working from home, based 

on EcoAct’s White Paper: https://bit.ly/Homeworking2020. 

•  Serviced	offices:	Energy	data	established	from	REEB	benchmarks.
•   Investments: Scope 3 investment absolute carbon footprint associated with our portfolio 

of proprietary assets on the group balance sheet.

1. 

2. 

 2020 has been restated to account for an amendment in the CALA Homes 
2020 footprint (as previously disclosed, 2020 Scope 1: 15,163 tCO2e, 2020 Scope 2: 
20,319 tCO2e).
 Joint ventures are included in our footprint where we are the majority shareholder, 
or have operational control.

Methodology
We have reported on the emission sources required under the Companies 
Act 2006 Strategic Report and Directors’ Report Regulations 2013 and 
have	followed	the	requirements	of	the	Streamlined	Energy	&	Carbon	
Reporting (SECR) framework. 

The greenhouse gas emissions data is reported in line with the 
Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard 
‘Operational Control’ method, and emission factors for fuels and electricity 
are published here: https://bit.ly/GHG_Standards. 

Our	emissions,	shown	in	the	table	opposite,	cover	100%	of	Legal	&	General	
Group plc’s operational footprint. We report Scope 1 and 2 emissions 
where we have operational control. Operational control is where we directly 
procure utilities for property we occupy, own and manage, including our 
subsidiary businesses and joint ventures2	or	where	we	have	significant	
control over energy use.

Please refer to the Sustainable Business section of this report, our 2021 
climate report, as well as our sustainability report (available later in the 
year) and CDP Disclosure for an overview of the types of measures taken 
to manage and improve our management of energy. 

Disability
We give full and fair consideration to applications for employment made 
by disabled persons. Our policies support the employment, promotion and 
career development of disabled persons, as well as supporting employees 
who become disabled during the course of their employment. We make 
reasonable adjustments, as required under the Equality Act 2010, for 
disabled employees, including seeking redeployment in the event that 
reasonable adjustments are not possible. We offer appropriate training, 
including training in relation to equality, and will make adjustments to this 
training where required.

Independent auditors
The	Company’s	auditor	has	expressed	its	willingness	to	continue	in	office	
and the Audit Committee has recommended its reappointment to the 
Board. Resolutions to reappoint KPMG LLP as auditor to the Company 
and to authorise the Audit Committee to determine its remuneration are 
proposed for the forthcoming AGM.

Directors’ interests
The Directors’ report on remuneration on pages 94 to 117 provides details 
of the share interests of each director, including details of current incentive 
schemes and long-term incentive schemes as at 8 March 2022.

Annual General Meeting
The Company intends to hold this year’s AGM on Thursday, 26 May 2022 
at 11am at The British Medical Association, BMA House, Tavistock Square, 
Bloomsbury, London, WC1H 9JP. Shareholders will also be able to join and 
vote virtually. Full details of the business to be considered at the meeting 
and any special arrangements that will be in place in light of the UK 
government’s prevailing restrictions regarding Covid-19 will be included 
in the Notice of Annual General Meeting.

Statement of directors’ responsibilities
The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and 
Accounts (group and parent company), including the Directors’ report on 
remuneration	and	the	financial	statements,	in	accordance	with	applicable	
law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare group and parent company 
financial	statements	for	each	financial	year.	Under	that	law	the	directors	
have	prepared	the	group	financial	statements	in	accordance	with	
UK-adopted international accounting standards and applicable law and 

236

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Other information

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

have	elected	to	prepare	the	parent	Company	financial	statements	in	
accordance with UK accounting standards and applicable law, including 
FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework. 

On the advice of the Audit Committee, the Board considers that the annual 
report, as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable, and provides the 
information necessary for shareholders to assess the group’s position, 
performance, business model and strategy.

Under	company	law,	the	directors	must	not	approve	the	financial	
statements	unless	they	are	satisfied	that	they	give	a	true	and	fair	view	of	
the	state	of	affairs	of	the	group	and	the	Company	and	of	the	profit	or	loss	
of	the	group	and	the	Company	for	that	period.	In	preparing	these	financial	
statements, the directors are required to:

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. 
•  make judgements and estimates that are reasonable, relevant, reliable 

• 

• 

and prudent. 
for	the	group	financial	statements,	state	whether	they	have	been	
prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting 
standards.
for	the	parent	Company	financial	statements,	state	whether	applicable	
UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material 
departures	disclosed	and	explained	in	the	parent	Company	financial	
statements.

•  assess the group and parent Company’s ability to continue as a going 
concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern.
•  use the going concern basis of accounting unless they either intend 
to liquidate the group or the parent Company or to cease operations, 
or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records 
that	are	sufficient	to	show	and	explain	the	parent	Company’s	transactions	
and	disclose	with	reasonable	accuracy	at	any	time	the	financial	position	
of	the	parent	Company	and	enable	them	to	ensure	that	its	financial	
statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are responsible 
for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the 
preparation	of	financial	statements	that	are	free	from	material	misstatement,	
whether due to fraud or error, and have general responsibility for taking 
such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of 
the group and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

Under applicable law and regulations, the directors are also responsible 
for preparing a Strategic Report, Directors’ Report, Directors’ Remuneration 
Report and Corporate Governance Statement that complies with that law 
and those regulations.

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the 
corporate	and	financial	information	included	on	the	Company’s	website.	
Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and dissemination of 
financial	statements	may	differ	from	legislation	in	other	jurisdictions.	

Responsibility statement of the directors in respect of the 
annual financial report
We	confirm	that	to	the	best	of	our	knowledge:

• 

• 

the	financial	statements,	prepared	in	accordance	with	the	applicable	
set of accounting standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, 
liabilities,	financial	position	and	profit	or	loss	of	the	Company	and	
the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole.
the strategic report includes a fair review of the development and 
performance of the business and the position of the Company and the 
undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together 
with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face. 

Fair, balanced and understandable
In accordance with the principles of the 2018 UK Corporate Governance 
Code, we have processes and procedures in place to ensure that the 
information presented in the annual report is fair, balanced and 
understandable. We describe these processes and procedures on page 88.

Critical accounting estimates, key judgements and significant 
accounting policies
Our	critical	accounting	estimates,	key	judgements	and	significant	
accounting policies conform with UK-adopted international accounting 
standards	and	are	set	out	on	page	139	of	the	consolidated	financial	
statements. The directors have reviewed these policies and applicable 
estimation	techniques	and	have	confirmed	them	to	be	appropriate	for	
the	preparation	of	the	2021	consolidated	financial	statements.

Disclosure of information to auditors
As	far	as	each	of	the	directors	in	office	at	the	date	of	this	Directors’	Report	
is	aware,	there	is	no	relevant	audit	information	(as	defined	by	section	418	
(3) of the Companies Act 2006) of which the Company’s auditors are 
unaware, and each such director has taken all the steps that they ought 
to have taken as a director to make themself aware of any relevant audit 
information and to establish that the Company’s auditors are aware of 
that information.

Going concern
The Strategic report on pages 2 to 59 of this report includes information 
on the group structure and business principles, the performance of the 
business areas, the impact of regulation and principal risks and 
uncertainties.

The group performance detailed on pages 24 to 27 includes information 
on	the	group	financial	results,	financial	outlook,	cash	flow	and	balance	
sheet	position.	The	consolidated	financial	statements	include	information	
on	the	group	financial	investments	and	investment	property	(Note	10),	
derivatives (Note 12), cash and cash equivalents (Note 14), asset risk 
(Note 7), market, credit and insurance risks (Notes 15 to 17) and 
borrowings (Note 22).

In	line	with	IAS	1	‘Presentation	of	financial	statements’,	and	revised	FRC	
guidance	on	‘risk	management,	internal	control	and	related	financial	and	
business reporting’, and as set out in the Basis of preparation (Note 1), 
management has taken into account all available information about the 
future for a period of at least, but not limited to, 12 months from the date 
of	approval	of	the	financial	statements	when	assessing	the	group’s	ability	
to continue as a going concern.

Details of the main risks affecting the group and how we manage and 
mitigate them are set out in ‘Managing risks’ on pages 52 to 59.

Having assessed the main risks and other matters discussed in 
connection with the Group Board viability statement set out on page 55, 
in accordance with the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code and the FRC 
guidance, the directors considered it appropriate to adopt the going 
concern	basis	of	accounting	when	preparing	the	financial	statements.

The Directors’ report and Strategic report were approved by the Board 
and signed on its behalf.

By order of the Board

G J Timms
Company Secretary

Directors’ report

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237

Shareholder information

Annual General Meeting
The 2022 AGM will be held on Thursday, 26 May at 11am at The British 
Medical Association, BMA House, Tavistock Square, Bloomsbury, London 
WC1H 9JP. The AGM provides the Board with the opportunity to engage 
with shareholders and will be held as a hybrid event to allow shareholders 
to join in person or via live video link. The Board regards the AGM as 
an important opportunity to communicate directly with private investors. 
Full details of the business to be considered at the meeting and any special 
arrangements that will be in place in light of Covid-19 will be included in 
the Notice of Annual General Meeting. The Notice of Meeting and all other 
details for the AGM will be available at: group.legalandgeneral.com/AGM.

Dividend information
Dividend per share
This	year	the	directors	are	recommending	the	payment	of	a	final	dividend	
of 13.27 pence per share. If you add this to your interim dividend of 
5.18 pence per share, the total dividend recommended for 2021 will be 
18.45 pence per share (2020: 17.57 pence per share). The key dates for 
the payment of dividends are set out in the important dates section 
on page 239.

Communications
Internet
Information about the Company, including details of the current share 
price, is available on the website: legalandgeneralgroup.com.

Investor relations
Private investors should contact the Registrar with any queries. 
Institutional investors can contact the investor relations team by email: 
investor.relations@group.landg.com.

Financial reports
The	Company’s	financial	reports	are	available	on	the	website.	The	Annual	
Report and Accounts are sent to those shareholders who have elected 
to receive paper copies. Alternatively, shareholders may elect to receive 
notification	by	email	by	registering	on	www.investorcentre.co.uk.	If	you	
receive more than one copy of our communications, it could be because 
you have more than one record on the share register. To avoid duplicate 
mailings, please contact the Registrar, who can arrange for your accounts 
to be amalgamated.

Registrar
Computershare Investor Services Plc (Computershare) has been appointed 
by	Legal	&	General	Group	Plc	to	act	as	our	Registrar	and	offers	many	
services	to	make	managing	your	shareholding	easier	and	more	efficient.

Investor Centre
The Investor Centre is a secure online site where you can manage your 
shareholding quickly and easily. You can:

•  View your holding and get an indicative valuation.
•  Change your address.

Sign up to electronic communications
Help us save paper and get your shareholder information 
quickly and securely by signing up to receive your shareholder 
communications by email.

Registering for electronic communications is very 
straightforward. Just visit www.investorcentre.co.uk. 
All you need is your Shareholder reference number (SRN), 
which can be found on your welcome letter or by contacting 
Computershare.

•  Arrange to have dividends paid into your bank account.
•  Request to receive shareholder communications by email rather 

than post.

•  View your dividend payment history.
•  Make dividend payment choices.
•  Buy and sell shares.
•  Download a stock transfer form.

To register for the Investor Centre just visit www.investorcentre.co.uk. 
You will need your Shareholder Reference Number (SRN), which can 
be found on your welcome letter or by contacting Computershare.

By	phone	–	+44	(0)	370	707	1399*
By	email	–	webcorres@computershare.co.uk
By	post	–	Computershare	Investor	Services	Plc.	The	Pavilions,	Bridgwater	
Road, Bristol, BS99 6ZZ

Corporate sponsored nominee
The corporate sponsored nominee allows you to hold shares in the 
Company	without	the	need	for	a	share	certificate	and	enables	you	to	
benefit	from	shorter	market	settlement	periods.	The	corporate	sponsored	
nominee also offers lower rate dealing costs. Individual shareholders hold 
their	Legal	&	General	shares	in	a	nominee	holding	registered	in	the	name	
of Computershare Company Nominees Limited. To join or obtain further 
information, contact the Registrar. You will be sent a deposit form outlining 
the terms and conditions under which your shares will be held.

Dividend payment options
Re-invest your dividends
Computershare’s Dividend Re-investment Plan offers a convenient way 
for shareholders to build up their shareholding by using dividend money 
to purchase additional shares. The plan is provided by Computershare 
Investor Services PLC who are authorised and regulated by the Financial 
Conduct Authority.

For more information and an application pack, please call 
+44 (0) 370 707 1399* Alternatively you can email webcorres@
computershare.co.uk or you can log on to www.investorcentre.co.uk.

It is important to remember that the value of shares and income from 
them can fall as well as rise and you may not recover the amount of money 
you invest. Past performance should not be seen as indicative of future 
performance. This arrangement should be considered as part of a 
diversified	portfolio.	Please	consult	an	independent	advisor	if	you	need	
any	assistance	with	financial	matters.

Have your dividends paid to your bank account
Once registered on Investor Centre, you can choose to receive your 
dividends directly to your bank account. Just select ‘dividend options’ 
and follow the simple instructions. By opting to receive your dividends 
electronically, your dividend will reach your bank account on the payment 
date and you won’t have the inconvenience of depositing a cheque.

Global Payment Service
If you don’t have access to a UK bank or building society account, you can 
elect to join the Global Payment Service (GPS) run by Computershare and 
receive cash dividends direct to your bank account in your local currency 
(a small fee and terms and conditions apply). You can enrol in the GPS 
via the Investor Centre.

238

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Other information

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Buy and sell shares
A simple and competitively priced service to buy and sell shares is 
provided by Computershare. Shareholders are able to buy and sell 
Legal	&	General	shares	by	registering	on	the	Investor	Centre	(www.
investorcentre.co.uk) and enrolling for Computershare’s share dealing 
service. Shareholders will be required to complete Anti-Money Laundering 
(AML) checks in advance of dealing in shares and it is therefore advisable 
to register your account in advance if you wish to sell shares.

Once registered and AML checks have been completed, shareholders can 
choose to deal online or to download a dealing form and trade via a postal 
dealing	service.	Any	holder	of	certificated	shares	will	be	required	to	send	
Computershare	their	original	share	certificate	and	an	authorisation	letter	
before a trade can be executed. 

This is not a recommendation to buy and sell shares and this service may 
not be suitable for all shareholders. The price of shares can go down as 
well as up and you are not guaranteed to get back the amount you 
originally invested. Terms, conditions and risks apply.

* 

 Calls are charged at the standard geographic rate and will vary by 
provider. Calls from outside the UK will be charged at the applicable 
international rate. Lines are open 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday 
excluding public holidays in England and Wales.

Important dates
21 April 2022

22 April 2022

11 May 2022

26 May 2022

1 June 2022

10 August 2022

18 August 2022

19 August 2022

•  Ex-dividend	date	(final	dividend)

•  Record date

•  Last day for DRIP elections

•  Annual General Meeting

•  Payment	of	final	dividend	(to	shareholders	registered	

on 22 April 2022)

•  Half-year results 2022

•  Ex-dividend date (interim dividend)

•  Record date

5 September 2022

•  Last day for DRIP elections

26 September 2022

•  Payment of interim dividend (to members registered 

on 19 August 2022)

General information
Capital gains tax: for the purpose of calculating UK capital gains tax, 
the market value on 31 March 1982 of each share was 7.996 pence 
after adjusting for the 1986 capitalisation issue and the 1996 and 1999 
sub-divisions,	but	not	reflecting	any	rights	taken	up	under	the	2002	
rights issue.
Close company provisions: The company is not a close company within 
the terms of the Corporation Tax Act 2010.
Registered office: One Coleman Street, London EC2R 5AA. Registered 
in England and Wales, No. 01417162.
Shareholder offer line: For details of shareholder offers on 
Legal	&	General	products,	call	0800	107	6830.

Share fraud warning
Fraudsters use persuasive and high-pressure 
tactics to lure investors into scams. They may offer 
to sell shares that turn out to be worthless or 
non-existent,	or	to	buy	shares	at	an	inflated	price	
in	return	for	an	upfront	payment.	While	high	profits	
are promised, if you buy or sell shares in this way 
you will probably lose your money.

How to avoid share fraud
Have you been:

Contacted out of the blue
Promised tempting returns and told the investment 
is safe.

Called repeatedly; or
Told the offer is only available for a limited time? 
If so, you might have been contacted by fraudsters.

Reject cold calls
If you’ve been cold called with an offer to buy or 
sell shares, chances are it’s a high risk investment 
or a scam. You should treat the call with extreme 
caution. The safest thing to do is to hang up.

Check the firm on the FS register 
at fca.org.uk/register
The Financial Services Register is a public record 
of	all	the	firms	and	individuals	in	the	financial	
services industry that are regulated by the FCA.

Get impartial advice
Think	about	getting	impartial	financial	advice	before	
you hand over any money. Seek advice from someone 
unconnected	to	the	firm	that	has	approached	you.

If you suspect that you have been approached by 
fraudsters, please tell the FCA using the share fraud 
reporting form at fca.org.uk/scamsmart where you 
can	find	out	more	about	investment	scams.	You	
can also call the FCA Consumer Helpline on 
0800 111 6768.

If you have lost money to investment fraud, you 
should report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 
or online at actionfraud.police.uk.

If	you	deal	with	an	unauthorised	firm,	you	will	not	
be eligible to receive payment under the Financial 
Services Compensation Scheme. Find out more 
at fca.org.uk/scamsmart.

Shareholder information

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

239

Alternative Performance Measures

An	alternative	performance	measure	(APM)	is	a	financial	measure	of	
historic	or	future	financial	performance,	financial	position,	or	cash	flows,	
other	than	a	financial	measure	defined	under	IFRS	or	the	regulations	of	
Solvency II. APMs offer investors and stakeholders additional information 
on	the	company’s	performance	and	the	financial	effect	of	‘one-off’	events,	
and the group uses a range of these metrics to enhance understanding of 
the group’s performance. However, APMs should be viewed as 
complementary	to,	rather	than	as	a	substitute	for,	the	figures	determined	
according to other regulations. The APMs used by the group are listed 
in	this	section,	along	with	their	definition/explanation,	their	closest	IFRS	
measure and reference to the reconciliations to those IFRS measures.

The APMs used by the group may not be the same as, or comparable 
to, those used by other companies, both in similar and different industries. 
The calculation of APMs is consistent with previous periods, unless 
otherwise stated.

Adjusted operating profit
Definition
Adjusted	operating	profit	is	an	APM	that	supports	the	internal	
performance management and decision making of the group’s operating 
businesses, and accordingly underpins the remuneration outcomes of the 
executive directors and senior management. The group considers this 
measure meaningful to stakeholders as it enhances the understanding 
of the group’s operating performance over time by separately identifying 
non-operating items.

Adjusted	operating	profit	measures	the	pre-tax	result	excluding	the	impact	
of investment volatility, economic assumption changes caused by 
changes in market conditions or expectations and exceptional items. 
It	therefore	reflects	longer-term	economic	assumptions	for	the	group’s	
insurance businesses and shareholder funds, including the traded portfolio 
in	LGC.	For	direct	investments,	operating	profit	reflects	the	expected	
long-term economic return for those assets which are developed with 
the	intention	of	sale,	or	the	IFRS	profit	before	tax	for	the	early	stage	and	
mature businesses. Variances between actual and long-term expected 
investment return on traded and real assets (including direct investments) 
are	excluded	from	adjusted	operating	profit,	as	well	as	economic	
assumption changes caused by changes in market conditions or 
expectations	(e.g.	credit	default	and	inflation)	and	any	difference	between	
the actual allocated asset mix and the target long-term asset mix on new 
pension	risk	transfer	business.	Adjusted	operating	profit	also	excludes	the	
yield associated with assets held for future new pension risk transfer 
business from the valuation discount rate on insurance contract liabilities. 
Exceptional income and expenses which arise outside the normal course 
of business in the year, such as merger and acquisition and start-up costs, 
are	also	excluded	from	adjusted	operating	profit.

In	certain	disclosures,	the	group	may	use	the	term	‘operating	profit’	as	a	
substitute	for	adjusted	operating	profit,	but	in	all	circumstances	it	carries	
the	same	definition	and	meaning.

Closest IFRS measure
Profit	before	tax	attributable	to	equity	holders.

Reconciliation
Note	2	–	Supplementary	adjusted	operating	profit	information	–	section	(i).

Return on Equity (ROE)
Definition
ROE measures the return earned by shareholders on shareholder capital 
retained	within	the	business.	ROE	is	calculated	as	IFRS	profit	after	tax	
divided by average IFRS shareholders’ funds (by reference to opening 
and closing shareholders’ funds as provided in the IFRS consolidated 
statement of changes in equity for the year).

Closest IFRS measure
Calculated using:

•  Profit	attributable	to	equity	holders
•  Equity attributable to owners of the parent

Reconciliation
Calculated	using	profit	attributable	to	equity	holders	for	the	year	of	
£2,050m (31 December 2020: £1,607m) and average equity attributable 
to the owners of the parent of £9,994m (31 December 2020: £9,270m), 
based on an opening balance of £9,502m and a closing balance of 
£10,486m (2020: based on an opening balance of £9,038m and a closing 
balance of £9,502m).

Assets under management
Definition
Funds which are managed by our fund managers on behalf of investors. 
It represents the total amount of money investors have trusted with our 
fund managers to invest across our investment products.

Closest IFRS measures
•  Financial investments
• 
Investment property
•  Cash and cash equivalents

Reconciliation
Note	38	–	Reconciliation	of	Assets	under	management	to	Consolidated	
Balance	Sheet	financial	investments,	investment	property	and	cash	and	
cash equivalents.

Net release from operations
Definition
Release from operations plus new business surplus/(strain). Net release 
from operations is also referred to as cash generation, and includes the 
release of prudent margins from the back book, together with the premium 
received less the setup of prudent reserves and associated acquisition 
costs for new business. Net release from operations is a component of 
adjusted	operating	profit	(after	tax),	and	excludes	predominantly	the	
impact of experience variances and changes in valuation assumptions.

Closest IFRS measure
Profit	before	tax	attributable	to	equity	holders.

Reconciliation
Note	2	–	Supplementary	adjusted	operating	profit	information	–	sections	
(i) and (ii).

Adjusted profit before tax attributable to equity holders 
Definition
The	APM	measures	profit	before	tax	attributable	to	shareholders	
incorporating actual investment returns experienced during the year 
and the pre-tax results of discontinued operations.

Closest IFRS measure
Profit	before	tax	attributable	to	equity	holders.

Reconciliation
Note	2	–	Supplementary	adjusted	operating	profit	information	–	section	(i).

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Glossary

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

* These items represent an alternative performance measure (APM)

Adjusted operating profit*
Refer to the alternative performance measures section.

Adjusted profit before tax attributable to equity holders*
Refer to the alternative performance measures section.

Deduction and aggregation (D&A)
A method of calculating group solvency on a Solvency II basis, whereby 
the assets and liabilities of certain entities are excluded from the group 
consolidation. The net contribution from those entities to group Own 
Funds is included as an asset on the group’s Solvency II balance sheet. 
Regulatory approval has been provided to recognise the (re)insurance 
subsidiaries in the US and Bermuda on this basis. 

Alternative performance measures (APMs)
An	APM	is	a	financial	measure	of	historic	or	future	financial	performance,	
financial	position,	or	cash	flows,	other	than	a	financial	measure	defined	
under IFRS or the regulations of Solvency II. 

Defined benefit pension scheme (DB scheme)
A	type	of	pension	plan	in	which	an	employer/sponsor	promises	a	specified	
monthly	benefit	on	retirement	that	is	predetermined	by	a	formula	based	on	
the employee’s earnings history, tenure of service and age, rather than 
depending directly on individual investment returns.

Annual premium
Premiums that are paid regularly over the duration of the contract such 
as protection policies.

Annuity
Regular payments from an insurance company made for an agreed period 
of time (usually up to the death of the recipient) in return for either a cash 
lump sum or a series of premiums which the policyholder has paid to the 
insurance company during their working lifetime.

Assets under administration (AUA)
Assets	administered	by	Legal	&	General	which	are	beneficially	owned	by	
clients and are therefore not reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. 
Services provided in respect of assets under administration are of an 
administrative nature, including safekeeping, collecting investment 
income, settling purchase and sales transactions and record keeping.

Assets under management (AUM)*
Refer to the alternative performance measures section.

Assured Payment Policy (APP)
An APP is a long-term contract under which the policyholder (a registered 
UK pension scheme) pays a day-one premium and in return receives a 
contractually	fixed	and/or	inflation-linked	set	of	payments	over	time	from	
the insurer.

Back book acquisition
New business transacted with an insurance company which allows the 
business to continue to utilise Solvency II transitional measures associated 
with the business.

CAGR
Compound annual growth rate.

Cash generation
Cash generation is an alternative term for net release from operations.

CCF – Common Contractual Fund
An Irish regulated asset pooling fund structure. It enables institutional 
investors to pool assets into a single fund vehicle with the aim of achieving 
cost	savings,	enhanced	returns	and	operational	efficiency	through	
economies of scale. A CCF is an unincorporated body established under 
a deed where investors are “co-owners” of underlying assets which are 
held pro rata with their investment. The CCF is authorised and regulated 
by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Credit rating
A measure of the ability of an individual, organisation or country to repay 
debt. The highest rating is usually AAA and the lowest Unrated. Ratings 
are	usually	issued	by	a	credit	rating	agency	(e.g.	Moody’s	or	Standard	&	
Poor’s) or a credit bureau.

Defined contribution pension scheme (DC scheme)
A	type	of	pension	plan	where	the	pension	benefits	at	retirement	are	
determined by agreed levels of contributions paid into the fund by the 
member	and	employer.	They	provide	benefits	based	upon	the	money	
held	in	each	individual’s	plan	specifically	on	behalf	of	each	member.	
The amount in each plan at retirement will depend upon the investment 
returns achieved as well as the member and employer contributions.

Derivatives
Derivatives are not a separate asset class but are contracts usually giving 
a	commitment	or	right	to	buy	or	sell	assets	on	specified	conditions,	for	
example on a set date in the future and at a set price. The value of a 
derivative contract can vary. Derivatives can generally be used with the 
aim of enhancing the overall investment returns of a fund by taking on 
an increased risk, or they can be used with the aim of reducing the amount 
of risk to which a fund is exposed.

Direct investments
Direct investments, which generally constitute an agreement with another 
party, represent an exposure to untraded and often less volatile asset 
classes. Direct investments also include physical assets, bilateral loans 
and private equity, but exclude hedge funds.

Dividend cover
Dividend cover measures how many times over the net release from 
operations in the year could have paid the full year dividend. For example, 
if the dividend cover is 3, this means that the net release from operations 
was three times the amount of dividend paid out.

Early stage business
A recently created company in the early stage of its life cycle (typically 
up to 18 to 24 months since establishment), which has not broken even 
yet. This usually means the entity is not fully operational yet, and the 
management team is still being developed.

Earnings per share (EPS)
EPS	is	a	common	financial	metric	which	can	be	used	to	measure	the	
profitability	and	strength	of	a	company	over	time.	It	is	the	total	shareholder	
profit	after	tax	divided	by	the	number	of	shares	outstanding.	EPS	uses	
a weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year.

Eligible Own Funds
Eligible Own Funds represents the capital available to cover the group’s 
Solvency II Capital Requirement. Eligible Own Funds comprise the excess 
of the value of assets over liabilities, as valued on a Solvency II basis, plus 
high quality hybrid capital instruments, which are freely available (fungible 
and transferable) to absorb losses wherever they occur across the group. 

Glossary

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Glossary 
continued

Employee satisfaction index
The Employee satisfaction index measures the extent to which employees 
report	that	they	are	happy	working	at	Legal	&	General.	It	is	measured	as	
part of our Voice surveys, which also include questions on commitment 
to	the	goals	of	Legal	&	General	and	the	overall	success	of	the	company.

LGIA
Legal	&	General	Insurance	America.

LGIM
Legal	&	General	Investment	Management.

ETF
LGIM’s European Exchange Traded Fund platform.

Euro Commercial paper
Short-term borrowings with maturities of up to 1 year typically issued 
for working capital purposes.

Full year dividend
Full year dividend is the total dividend per share declared for the year 
(including interim dividend but excluding, where appropriate, any special 
dividend).

Fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)
A	financial	asset	or	financial	liability	that	is	measured	at	fair	value	in	
the Consolidated Balance Sheet reports gains and losses arising from 
movements in fair value within the Consolidated Income Statement as 
part	of	the	profit	or	loss	for	the	year.

Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
These are a widely accepted collection of guidelines and principles, 
established by accounting standard setters and used by the accounting 
community	to	report	financial	information.

Gross written premiums (GWP)
GWP is an industry measure of the life insurance premiums due and the 
general insurance premiums underwritten in the reporting period, before 
any deductions for reinsurance.

ICAV – Irish Collective Asset-Management Vehicle
A legal structure investment fund, based in Ireland and aimed at European 
investment	funds	looking	for	a	simple,	tax-efficient	investment	vehicle.

International financial reporting standards (IFRS)
These are accounting guidelines and rules that companies and 
organisations	follow	when	completing	financial	statements.	They	are	
designed to enable comparable reporting between companies, and they 
are the standards that all publicly listed groups in the UK are required to use.

LGR
Legal	&	General	Retirement,	which	includes	Legal	&	General	Retirement	
Institutional	(LGRI)	and	Legal	&	General	Retirement	Retail	(LGRR).

LGR new business
Single premiums arising from annuity sales and back book acquisitions 
(including individual annuity and pension risk transfer), the volume of 
lifetime and retirement interest only mortgage lending and the notional size 
of	longevity	insurance	transactions,	based	on	the	present	value	of	the	fixed	
leg	cash	flows	discounted	at	the	SONIA	curve.

Liability driven investment (LDI)
A	form	of	investing	in	which	the	main	goal	is	to	gain	sufficient	assets	to	
meet all liabilities, both current and future. This form of investing is most 
prominent	in	final	salary	pension	plans,	whose	liabilities	can	often	reach	
into billions of pounds for the largest of plans.

Lifetime mortgages
An equity release product aimed at people aged 55 years and over. It is a 
mortgage loan secured against the customer’s house. Customers do not 
make any monthly payments and continue to own and live in their house 
until they move into long-term care or on death. A no negative equity 
guarantee	exists	such	that	if	the	house	value	on	repayment	is	insufficient	
to cover the outstanding loan, any shortfall is borne by the lender.

Longevity
Measure	of	how	long	policyholders	will	live,	which	affects	the	risk	profile	
of pension risk transfer, annuity and protection businesses.

Matching adjustment
An adjustment to the discount rate used for annuity liabilities in Solvency II 
balance	sheets.	This	adjustment	reflects	the	fact	that	the	profile	of	assets	
held	is	sufficiently	well-matched	to	the	profile	of	the	liabilities,	that	those	
assets can be held to maturity, and that any excess return over risk-free 
(that is not related to defaults) can be earned regardless of asset value 
fluctuations	after	purchase.

Key performance indicators (KPIs)
These are measures by which the development, performance or position 
of the business can be measured effectively. The Group Board reviews the 
KPIs annually and updates them where appropriate.

Mature business
A	company	which	has	been	operative	for	more	than	three	to	five	years.	
It generates regular revenue streams but the growth rate in its earnings 
is	expected	to	remain	broadly	flat	in	the	future.	At	this	point	in	its	life	cycle,	
a complete and experienced management team is in place.

LGA
Legal	&	General	America.

LGAS
Legal and General Assurance Society Limited.

LGC
Legal	&	General	Capital.

LGI
Legal	&	General	Insurance.

Morbidity rate
Rate	of	illness,	influenced	by	age,	gender	and	health,	used	in	pricing	and	
calculating liabilities for policyholders of life products, which contain 
morbidity risk.

Mortality rate
Rate	of	death,	influenced	by	age,	gender	and	health,	used	in	pricing	and	
calculating liabilities for policyholders of life and annuity products, which 
contain mortality risks.

Net release from operations*
Refer to the alternative performance measures section.

LGI new business
New business arising from new policies written on retail protection 
products and new deals and incremental business on group protection 
products. 

Net zero carbon
Achieving an overall balance between anthropogenic carbon emissions 
produced and carbon emissions removed from the atmosphere.

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New business surplus/strain
The net impact of writing new business on the IFRS position, including the 
benefit/cost	of	acquiring	new	business	and	the	setting	up	of	reserves,	for	
UK	non	profit	annuities,	workplace	savings,	protection	and	savings,	net	of	
tax. This metric provides an understanding of the impact of new contracts 
on	the	IFRS	profit	for	the	year.

Real assets
Real assets encompass a wide variety of tangible debt and equity 
investments, primarily real estate, infrastructure and energy. They have 
the ability to serve as stable sources of long-term income in weak markets, 
while also providing capital appreciation opportunities in strong markets.

OEIC – Open Ended Investment Company
A type of investment fund domiciled in the United Kingdom that is 
structured to invest in stocks and other securities, authorised and 
regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). 

Overlay assets
Overlay assets are derivative assets that are managed alongside the 
physical assets held by LGIM. These instruments include interest rate 
swaps,	inflation	swaps,	equity	futures	and	options.	These	are	typically	
used to hedge risks associated with pension scheme assets during the 
derisking stage of the pension life cycle.

Release from operations
The expected IFRS surplus generated in the period from the difference 
between IFRS prudent assumptions and our best estimate of future 
experience for in-force LGR and UK Insurance businesses, the post-tax 
adjusted	operating	profit	on	other	UK	businesses,	including	the	medium	
term expected investment return on LGC invested assets, and dividends 
remitted from LGIA.

Retirement Interest Only Mortgage (RIO)
A RIO mortgage is a standard retirement mortgage available for non-
commercial borrowers above 55 years old. A RIO mortgage is very similar 
to a standard interest-only mortgage, with two key differences: 

Paris Agreement 
The Paris Agreement is an agreement within the United Nations 
Framework Convention on Climate Change effective 4 November 2016. 
The Agreement aims to limit the increase in average global temperatures 
to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels.

•  The loan is usually only paid off on death, move into long-term care 

or sale of the house. 

•  The borrowers only have to prove they can afford the monthly 

interest repayments and not the capital remaining at the end of 
the mortgage term. 

Pension risk transfer (PRT)
PRT	represents	bulk	annuities	bought	by	entities	that	run	final	salary	
pension schemes to reduce their responsibilities by closing the schemes 
to new members and passing the assets and obligations to insurance 
providers.

No repayment solution is required as repayment defaults to sale 
of property.

Return on Equity (ROE)*
Refer to the alternative performance measures section.

Persistency 
Persistency is a measure of LGIM client asset retention, calculated 
as	a	function	of	net	flows	and	closing	AUM.

Platform
Online services used by intermediaries and consumers to view and 
administer their investment portfolios. Platforms usually provide facilities 
for buying and selling investments (including, in the UK products such 
as Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), Self-Invested Personal Pensions 
(SIPPs) and life insurance) and for viewing an individual’s entire portfolio 
to assess asset allocation and risk exposure.

Present value of future new business premiums (PVNBP)
PVNBP is equivalent to total single premiums plus the discounted value 
of annual premiums expected to be received over the term of the contracts 
using the same economic and operating assumptions used for the new 
business	value	at	the	end	of	the	financial	period.	The	discounted	value	of	
longevity insurance regular premiums and quota share reinsurance single 
premiums are calculated on a net of reinsurance basis to enable a more 
representative	margin	figure.	PVNBP	therefore	provides	an	estimate	of	
the present value of the premiums associated with new business written 
in the year.

Proprietary assets
Total investments to which shareholders are directly exposed, minus 
derivative assets, loans, and cash and cash equivalents.

QIAIF – Qualifying Investor Alternative Investment Fund
An alternative investment fund regulated in Ireland targeted at 
sophisticated and institutional investors, with minimum subscription and 
eligibility requirements. Due to not being subject to many investment or 
borrowing	restrictions,	QIAIFs	present	a	high	level	of	flexibility	in	their	
investment strategy.

Risk appetite
The aggregate level and types of risk a company is willing to assume 
in its exposures and business activities in order to achieve its business 
objectives.

SICAV – Société d’Investissement à Capital Variable
A publicly traded open-end investment fund structure offered in Europe 
and regulated under European law.

SIF – Specialised Investment Fund
An investment vehicle regulated in Luxembourg targeted to well-informed 
investors,	providing	a	great	degree	of	flexibility	in	organisation,	investment	
policy and types of underlying assets in which it can invest. 

Single premiums
Single premiums arise on the sale of new contracts where the terms of the 
policy do not anticipate more than one premium being paid over its lifetime, 
such as in individual and bulk annuity deals.

Solvency II
The Solvency II regulatory regime is a harmonised prudential framework 
for	insurance	firms	in	the	EEA.	This	single	market	approach	is	based	on	
economic principles that measure assets and liabilities to appropriately 
align insurers’ risk with the capital they hold to safeguard the policyholders’ 
interest.

Solvency II capital coverage ratio (SCR)
The Eligible Own Funds on a regulatory basis divided by the group 
solvency capital requirement. This represents the number of times the 
SCR is covered by Eligible Own Funds.

Glossary

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

243

Glossary 
continued

Solvency II capital coverage ratio (proforma basis)
The proforma basis Solvency II SCR coverage ratio incorporates the 
impacts of a recalculation of the Transitional Measures for Technical 
Provisions	and	the	contributions	of	the	group’s	defined	benefit	pension	
schemes in both Own Funds and the SCR in the calculation of the SCR 
coverage ratio.

Solvency II new business contribution
Reflects	present	value	at	the	point	of	sale	of	expected	future	Solvency	II	
surplus emerging from new business written in the period using the risk 
discount rate applicable at the end of the reporting period.

Solvency II Operational Surplus Generation
The expected surplus generated from the assets and liabilities in-force 
at the start of the year. It is based on assumed real world returns and best 
estimate non-market assumptions. It includes the impact of management 
actions to the extent that, at the start of the year, these were reasonably 
expected to be implemented over the year.

Solvency II risk margin
An additional liability required in the Solvency II balance sheet, to ensure 
the total value of technical provisions is equal to the current amount 
a (re)insurer would have to pay if it were to transfer its insurance and 
reinsurance obligations immediately to another (re)insurer. The value 
of the risk margin represents the cost of providing an amount of Eligible 
Own Funds equal to the Solvency Capital Requirement (relating to 
non-market risks) necessary to support the insurance and reinsurance 
obligations over the lifetime thereof.

Solvency II surplus
The excess of Eligible Own Funds on a regulatory basis over the SCR. 
This represents the amount of capital available to the company in excess 
of that required to sustain it in a 1-in-200 year risk event.

Solvency Capital Requirement (SCR)
The amount of Solvency II capital required to cover the losses occurring 
in a 1-in-200 year risk event.

Total shareholder return (TSR)
TSR is a measure used to compare the performance of different 
companies’ stocks and shares over time. It combines the share price 
appreciation and dividends paid to show the total return to the shareholder.

Transitional Measures on Technical Provisions (TMTP)
This is an adjustment to Solvency II technical provisions to bring them 
into line with the pre-Solvency II equivalent as at 1 January 2016 when 
the regulatory basis switched over, to smooth the introduction of the new 
regime. This will decrease linearly over the 16 years following Solvency II 
implementation but may be recalculated to allow for changes impacting 
the relevant business, subject to agreement with the PRA.

Yield
A measure of the income received from an investment compared to the 
price paid for the investment. It is usually expressed as a percentage.

244

Legal & General Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts 2021

Other information

Forward-looking statements
This Annual Report and Accounts may contain 
‘forward-looking statements’ with respect 
to	the	financial	condition,	performance	and	
position, strategy, results of operations and 
businesses of the Company and the group that 
are based on current expectations or beliefs, as 
well as assumptions about future events. These 
forward-looking	statements	can	be	identified	
by the fact that they do not relate only to 
historical or current facts. Forward-looking 
statements often use words such as ‘may’, 
‘could’, ‘will’, ‘expect’, ‘intend’, ‘estimate’, 
‘anticipate’, ‘believe’, ‘plan’, ‘seek’, ‘continue’ or 
other words of similar meaning. By their very 
nature, forward-looking statements are subject 
to known and unknown risks and uncertainties 
and can be affected by other factors that could 
cause actual results, and the group’s plans and 
objectives, to differ materially from those 
expressed or implied in the forward-looking 
statements. Recipients should not place reliance 
on, and are cautioned about relying on, any 
forward-looking statements. 

There are several factors which could cause 
actual results to differ materially from those 
expressed or implied in forward-looking 
statements. The factors that could cause actual 
results to differ materially from those described 
in the forward-looking statements include (but 
are not limited to): changes in global, political, 
economic, business, competitive and market 
forces or conditions; future exchange and 
interest rates; changes in environmental, social 
or physical risks; legislative, regulatory and policy 
developments; risks arising out of health crises 
and pandemics; changes in tax rates, future 
business combinations or dispositions; and 
other	factors	specific	to	the	group.	Any	
forward-looking statement contained in this 
document is based on past or current trends 
and/or activities of the group and should not 

be taken as a representation that such trends 
or activities will continue in the future. No 
statement in this document is intended to be 
a	profit	forecast	or	to	imply	that	the	earnings	
of the group for the current year or future years 
will necessarily match or exceed the historical 
or published earnings of the group. Each 
forward-looking statement speaks only as of 
the date of the particular statement. Except as 
required by any applicable laws or regulations, 
the group expressly disclaims any obligation 
to revise or update any forward-looking 
statement contained within this document, 
regardless of whether those statements are 
affected as a result of new information, future 
events or otherwise.

Caution about climate information
This Annual Report and Accounts contains 
climate and ESG disclosures which use a large 
number of judgments, assumptions and estimates. 
These judgments, assumptions and estimates 
are likely to change over time. In addition, the 
group’s climate risk analysis and net zero strategy 
remain under development and the data underlying 
the analysis and strategy remain subject to 
evolution. As a result, certain climate and ESG 
disclosures made in this report are likely to be 
amended, updated, recalculated or restated in 
future reports. This statement should be read 
together with the Cautionary statement 
contained in the group’s 2021 climate report.

The information, statements and opinions 
contained in this Annual Report and Accounts 
do not constitute an offer to sell or buy or the 
solicitation of an offer to sell or buy any 
securities	or	financial	instruments	nor	do	they	
constitute any advice or recommendation with 
respect	to	such	securities	or	other	financial	
instruments or any other matter.

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F  020 3124 2500
legalandgeneralgroup.com

Legal	&	General	Group	Plc	is	a	holding	
company, subsidiary undertakings of which 
are authorised and regulated by the Financial 
Conduct Authority and/or Prudential 
Regulation Authority, as appropriate.