Defined Benefit

Research highlights confusion about where responsibility to support members on transfers lies. Kim Kaveh looks at the key findings

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

Some 100,000 defined benefit (DB) transfers took place in the 2017/18 financial year, according to estimates by The Pensions Regulator (TPR).

BT and the trustee of its pension scheme have agreed to contributions totalling £12.3bn over 13 years to plug its actuarial funding deficit.