Defined Benefit
June cements stable H1 for pension transfer values
Pension transfer values fluctuated mildly during June, continuing the stability seen throughout 2018 so far, according to XPS Pensions Group's transfer value index (TVI).
PPF's funding ratio rises to 122.8% despite challenging year
The Pension Protection Fund has seen its funding level improve by 1.2 percentage points, after enjoying above target returns in a year when it took on pension schemes of big corporates like Carillion.
The Pension Superfund to split surplus with members and capital providers
Any surplus generated by The Pension Superfund will be shared between members and the defined benefit (DB) consolidator's capital providers, Alan Rubenstein has said.
DB deficit falls £8bn over June, says PPF
The combined deficit of the UK's 5,588 private sector defined benefit (DB) schemes was £85.6bn at the end of June, according to the Pension Protection Fund (PPF).
BA judgment creates uncertainty over extent of trustee powers
Stephen Richards says the 'paymasters' principle is likely to be scrutinised closely in light of British Airways' landmark win in the Court of Appeal.
Is there an over-reliance on models in the pensions industry?
The pensions industry has, Francis Fernandes says, an 'unhealthy obsession with modelling' and should spend more time on contingency planning.
Are pension schemes looking at the wrong risk measures?
Alan Taylor looks at the importance of looking at alternative risk measures when developing investment and funding strategies for DB schemes
Lloyds heads to court over GMP issue
A potentially landmark case has been launched in the High Court as Lloyds Bank seeks guidance on how to address equalisation of guaranteed minimum pensions (GMPs).
Light at the end of the tunnel for DB sponsors?
Martin Hunter says while new TPR powers will increase the burden on all DB employers, it isn't all doom and gloom
Siemens completes £1.3bn pensioner buy-in
The trustees of the Siemens defined Benefit (DB) scheme have completed a buy-in with Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC), covering around 6000 members.
BMO combines credit with LDI to simplify de-risking
Funds that match and link credit with liability-driven investing (LDI) have been launched by BMO Global Asset Management in a bid to simplify the process of de-risking defined benefit (DB) schemes.
DWP seeks change to PPF compensation rules on transferred-in benefits
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a consultation to clarify how the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) should treat transferred-in defined benefit (DB) entitlements when calculating compensation.
FTSE 100 slashes DB deficit to near 100% funded
The UK's 100 largest listed companies saw their combined defined benefit (DB) deficit fall by 75% during June, bringing them very close to fully-funded status, according to JLT Employee Benefits.
Infographic: What the new DB fines system will look like
As part of its consultation on enhanced powers for The Pensions Regulator, the Department for Work and Pensions proposed new requirements for all trustees of defined benefit (DB) schemes. This is what the new framework could look like...
The DWP consultation questions in full
The Department for Work and Pensions has launched a consultation on proposals to improve the regulator's powers and increase DB member protections. Here are the key questions it is asking...
Have schemes become unintentionally locked into RPI?
Research suggests the industry believes schemes have been unintentionally locked into using the higher inflation measure but many remain unsure about an override. Victoria Ticha takes a closer look
Pension transfers hit record £10.6bn in first quarter
Pension transfers increased to a record £10.6bn in the first quarter of this year, Office for National Statistics data reveals.
Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund buys stake in PIC
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) has agreed to acquire up to 21.4% of shares in the Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC) Group from its founding investor J.C. Flowers & Co.
More action needed on long recovery plans, say respondents
In this week's Pensions Buzz, we wanted to know whether defined benefit (DB) schemes with recovery plans over 10 years should have to explain, and if the regulator should create a pool of 'super trustees' that can be parachuted into schemes to fix problems...
PPF issues first guidance on CVA expectations
The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) has published its first official guidance on how it expects companies seeking company voluntary arrangements (CVAs) to set out their proposals.
DB schemes 'may have hit fully-funded' in May
Rallying growth assets may have enabled defined benefit (DB) schemes to reach fully-funded on a section 179 basis in the first half of May, according to BlackRock.
Pension transfer values back on the rise in May
Difference of 2.4%
FTSE 350 in best position to pay DB obligations since crisis
The ability of FTSE 350 companies to meet their defined benefit (DB) pension obligations is at its highest level in the last decade, PwC analysis says.
EU pensions watchdog: Improve DB funding by raising sponsor support or reducing benefits
Increasing sponsor support or lowering member benefits will ultimately improve the funding position of defined benefit (DB) schemes, according to the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA).
