Defined Benefit
Segars named chairwoman of USS and UUK joint expert panel
University College Union (UCU) and Universities UK have appointed Joanne Segars to chair the joint expert panel to examine the valuation of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS).
First Actuarial's DB index surplus reaches record high in April
All 6,000 UK schemes had a surplus of £361bn by the end of last month when calculated under a best estimate return on their assets, according to First Actuarial.
Is greater clarity needed on DB transfers?
Research highlights confusion about where responsibility to support members on transfers lies. Kim Kaveh looks at the key findings.
Royal Mail's accounting pension surplus drops by 42%
The combined IAS 19 accounting surplus of Royal Mail's defined benefit (DB) schemes fell to £2.2bn in March from £3.8bn a year ago, according to its annual report.
Mothercare schemes enter PPF assessment as retailer seeks major restructure
Struggling children's retailer Mothercare has announced plans to overhaul its store portfolio through a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), by closing 50 shops and negotiating reduced rents.
Nine out of 10 DB schemes report rise in transfer value requests
Some 90% of schemes have seen an increase in the number of requests from members for transfer values over the last 18 months, according to an Aon study.
DB trustees and sponsors worried about inadequate support for members
Some 95% of defined benefit (DB) trustees and sponsors are concerned about the consequences of members getting inadequate support for their retirement options, according to Hymans Robertson research.
We need clarity on DB white paper proposals
Malcolm McLean says the green-tinged white paper raised almost as many questions as answers and we are still far from knowing the exact direction of government policy
UPDATED: MPs urge 'cultural change' at TPR post-Carillion; extra powers not enough
Handing the pensions watchdog extra powers will not be enough without a significant overhaul of its culture and reputation, according to a damning report. Stephanie Baxter considers the criticisms
LGPS Central: Becoming an asset manager
Following its April launch, the Midlands pool is well on the road to becoming a full-service asset manager. Andrew Warwick-Thompson speaks to Stephanie Baxter about the challenges of hiring and maintaining relationships
TPR estimates 100,000 DB transfers in 2017/18
Some 100,000 defined benefit (DB) transfers took place in the 2017/18 financial year, according to estimates by The Pensions Regulator (TPR).
BT to inject £12bn over a decade to plug DB deficit
BT and the trustee of its pension scheme have agreed to contributions totalling £12.3bn over 13 years to plug its actuarial funding deficit.
Pension transfer values fall during April - Xafinity
Pension transfer values fell from £235,000 at the end of March to £232,000 at the end of April, according to Xafinity's Transfer Value Index (TVI).
Getting to grips with integrated risk management
Simon Hart and Rob Archer look at how integrated risk management can improve a scheme's governance process and raise standards
PPF 7800 deficit slashed by nearly a third over April
The combined defined benefit (DB) deficit decreased by £33.9bn over April to £81.7bn on a section 179 basis, according to the Pension Protection Fund's (PPF's) latest update.
House of Fraser and TPR discuss scheme's future after restructure plans
House of Fraser is in talks with The Pensions Regulator (TPR) around the future funding of its defined benefit (DB) scheme as it seeks to restructure the business.
TPR in talks with Sainsbury's over scheme impact of Asda merger
The Pensions Regulator and Sainsbury's have confirmed they are in talks over the impact of the Asda tie-up on the supermarket's defined benefit (DB) pension scheme.
DB closure to future accrual gathers pace as just 4% open to new members, finds research
Some 43% of defined benefit (DB) schemes are closed to future accrual, while just 4% are still open to new active members, according to analysis by Barnett Waddingham.
Worcestershire LGPS adopts downside protection for £1.2bn equity portfolio
Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund has implemented a solution to bank some of the recent upside in the equity markets and protect these gains through to its 2019 triennial valuation, PP has learned.
Rubenstein: 'More action' needed on 'ridiculously long' recovery periods for underfunded DB schemes
Former Pension Protection Fund (PPF) chief executive Alan Rubenstein says he would have liked to see 'more action' on recovery periods for underfunded schemes.
How Toshiba agreed a £170m deferred member buyout
The Toshiba Pension and Assurance Scheme has completed a £170m deferred member buyout. Stephanie Baxter looks at the details of the deal.
BA hearing - Day 1: Airways trustees put in 'invidious position of paymaster'
Concluding that the purpose of a pension scheme is not simply to apply the employer's preferred remuneration strategy would result in trustees becoming "paymaster", the Court of Appeal has been told.
Pension deficit fell £53bn over April; interest rates outlook is 'crucial'
The combined deficit of the UK's private sector defined benefit (DB) schemes fell by 40% to £78bn on an accounting basis during April, JLT Employee Benefits analysis has revealed.
Walmart to retain Asda scheme after Sainsbury's merger
Obligation for the Asda defined benefit (DB) pension scheme will not be shared between Walmart and J Sainsbury following the merger of their two supermarket businesses, it has been confirmed.
