University DB schemes overspending on running costs and 'inefficiencies'

Spence research finds average running costs for university DB schemes was £700,000

Martin Richmond
clock • 3 min read
University DB schemes overspending on running costs and 'inefficiencies'

University defined benefit (DB) schemes may be overspending as much as £200,000 a year on “unnecessary” running costs and “inefficiencies”, research from Spence & Partners has shown.

The advisory firm surveyed 30 DB schemes for pre-1992 UK universities, which hold a combined £6.5bn in assets under management. The majority of the pension provision in universities is through mult...

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

More on Defined Benefit

Partner Insight: Unlocking opportunities - How trustees are navigating surplus reforms and embracing buy-in strategies

Partner Insight: Unlocking opportunities - How trustees are navigating surplus reforms and embracing buy-in strategies

The UK’s DB pensions landscape is entering a transformative phase

Claire Altman, Managing Director of BPA & Individual Retirement at Standard Life
clock 23 December 2025 • 3 min read
Partner Insight: The Incredible Bulk - Smashing the 300 Barrier in 2025

Partner Insight: The Incredible Bulk - Smashing the 300 Barrier in 2025

Martin Bird, Senior Partner and Head of Risk Settlement, Aon
clock 22 December 2025 • 5 min read
Partner Insight: Unlocking the value of surpluses - The implications of Aberdeen's landmark deal

Partner Insight: Unlocking the value of surpluses - The implications of Aberdeen's landmark deal

Bina Mistry and Mark Daniel at WTW
clock 22 December 2025 • 3 min read
Trustpilot