Investment

Trustees hoping to secure a buyout must develop a contingency plan as the bulk annuities market could struggle to meet growing demand says a consultant.

The UK economy shrank 0.3% in the last quarter of 2012, increasing speculation that a ‘triple-dip' recession is on its way along with a further round of quantitative easing.

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.

HMV's administrator has submitted section 120 forms to the Pension Protection Fund despite the purchase of its debt by Hilco.

The Pensions Infrastructure Platform will not open to smaller pension schemes until mid-2013, after delays pushed back the fund's launch date.

The government is considering relaxing a black-and-white definition of "money purchase" to avoid shifting the goalposts on defined contribution schemes with guarantees, according to experts.

M&G's real estate investment arm PRUPIM has completed the freehold purchase of Heathrow Terminal 5's Hilton hotel.

Unilever's scheme deficit rose by €500m in 2012 due to falling discount rates and a 33% fall in the value of its assets.