John Lewis ends £10m pension top-ups as Kier sets out deficit payment cuts

Improved DB funding position leads to contribution reductions

Jonathan Stapleton
clock • 1 min read
John Lewis department store, Glasgow Credit: John F. Scott via iStock
Image:

John Lewis department store, Glasgow Credit: John F. Scott via iStock

John Lewis has agreed key terms of its £7bn scheme's triennial pension valuation - showing a technical provisions surplus of £320m as at 31 March 2022 compared to a deficit of £58m in March 2019.

The partnership's unaudited interim results for the 26 weeks ended 29 July, published today (14 September), said it expected to complete the valuation in the second half of the year - adding that its current £10m annual deficit repair payments would no longer be required ahead of the next triennial valuation in 2025.

It added the technical provisions surplus as at 31 March 2023 was estimated to be £84m.

This comes as Kier Group unveiled its full-year results for the year ended 30 June 2023 - revealing it had also agreed the triennial valuation for funding its defined benefit (DB) pension schemes - noting it was now in a "significantly improved position", resulting in reducing deficit contributions to be made over the coming years concluding in the 2028 financial year.

The construction firm said it had now agreed the triennial valuation for funding six of its seven DB schemes - noting that deficit payments would decrease from £10m in the 2023 financial year to £9m in 2024, £8m in 2025, £5m in 2026, £4m in 2027 and £1m in 2028.

Once the pension schemes are in actuarial surplus, Kier said they would cover their own administration expenses. In 2023, it said expenses amounted to £2.9m.

More on Industry

Professional Pensions: Stories of the week

Professional Pensions: Stories of the week

TPT run-on DB superfund, Pensions UK to make subscription model changes, pensions minister speaks at a conference

Professional Pensions
clock 10 October 2025 • 1 min read
Good News Corner: Aon's Lynda Whitney abseils for charity

Good News Corner: Aon's Lynda Whitney abseils for charity

Senior partner abseils down the Cheesegrater building to raise money for Maggie’s Centres

Jasmine Urquhart
clock 10 October 2025 • 1 min read
Imperative for savers to have trust in the pensions system, L&G says

Imperative for savers to have trust in the pensions system, L&G says

Value and returns for members ‘critically important’ as Pension Schemes Bill passes through parliament

Martin Richmond
clock 10 October 2025 • 3 min read
Trustpilot