DB schemes 'miss the party' as deficits grow despite strong global equity performance

James Phillips
clock • 1 min read

The combined deficit of the UK's defined benefit (DB) schemes grew by 30% over the last 12 months, according to the Pension Protection Fund (PPF).

The 5,794 DB schemes in the PPF 7800 Index had a deficit of £245.6bn on a section 179 basis at the end of April, up from £188.7bn at the same point last year. Liabilities totalled £1.8trn, while...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Pensions

Become a Professional Pensions Lite Member today

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis and opinion from the industry
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our two daily news alerts
  • Hear from industry experts and other forward-thinking leaders

Are you a trustee, investment consultant or in-house pension and benefit scheme professional? You can apply for full complimentary access here

Join now

 

Already a Professional Pensions
member?

Login

James Phillips
Author spotlight

James Phillips

Professional Pensions journalist from 2016-2022

More on Defined Benefit

Partner Insight: What is driving DB scheme costs?

Partner Insight: What is driving DB scheme costs?

Cost pressures have long been part of the defined benefit (DB) landscape, but the findings from the TPT DB Trustee Pulse 2026 suggest their role may be evolving.

TPT Retirement Solutions
clock 14 September 2026 • 1 min read
Thousands of DB schemes will run until 2035, say pension professionals

Thousands of DB schemes will run until 2035, say pension professionals

Poll of 400 industry professionals reveals changing outlook for the sector

Alex Levy
clock 04 September 2026 • 1 min read
Industry stresses DB surplus release decisions must be scheme specific

Industry stresses DB surplus release decisions must be scheme specific

Firms say low dependency should not trigger automatic release of surplus funds as lawyers raise concerns over age restrictions

Alex Levy
clock 03 September 2026 • 4 min read
Trustpilot