Defined Benefit

Prudential has seen a 46% fall in individual annuity sales during 2015 following the introduction of the April pension freedoms.

The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) has launched a taskforce to tackle the problems faced by defined benefit (DB) schemes.

Total funding levels of defined benefit (DB) schemes in the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) 7800 have continued to fall against a backdrop of market volatility and falling gilt yields.

A group of pension fund managers have warned incoming bank capital rules could shut schemes out of derivatives or force them to sell long-term assets to generate cash.

The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) is in talks with British Home Stores (BHS) over transferring its 20,000 pensioners into the rescue agency.

Bulk annuity business in 2016 will outstrip last year's levels despite a slow start due to the introduction of Solvency II, according to Willis Towers Watson.

Volatility has risen ahead of the EU referendum with markets already reeling from a deflationary scare driven by the oil price fall. Kristian Brunt-Seymour finds schemes must take action now to mitigate their risk exposures.

John Gray asks why agreement can’t be made on appropriate discount rates for the LGPS

A considerable gap remains between public and private sector employer and employee contribution levels according to data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

The biggest stories were predictions the Chancellor would introduce a flat rate of tax relief, Merchant Navy Officers closing defined benefit to future accrual, and KPMG expanding its defined contribution team by a third.