The closure of defined benefit schemes hit its fastest rate ever during 2012, with the proportion of open schemes falling from 19% in 2011 to 13% by the end of last year, National Association of Pension Funds figures show.

Capita is recommending that all employers with dependents pensions should abandon them if possible.

The Department for Work and Pensions has launched a consultation on creating an objective for the Pensions Regulator to consider the long-term affordability of deficit recovery plans for defined benefit schemes' sponsors.

The Pensions Regulator has given its Determinations Panel an explicit power to request extra evidence from schemes when considering cases.

The government will publish a call for evidence on two major changes to the way the way defined benefit deficits recovery plans are regulated tomorrow (Friday 25 January).

Rachel Dalton examines the forces closing in on money purchase.

In the age of instant communications and wide-spread personal publishing, campaigns are easy to start. If you want to shout about something, a couple of tweets or a blog can get the message out there fast.

The Department for Work and Pensions has promised a better working relationship between the Pensions Regulator and the Financial Services Authority and said joint thematic reviews are planned.

The Department for Work and Pensions is considering an outright ban on consultancy charges on pensions which are borne by members.

Pensions minister Steve Webb has reiterated his opposition to a cap on scheme charges and said he prefers to "shame" or "praise" schemes and employers to encourage high quality provision.