Deficits

The average length of deficit recovery plans agreed after the latest round of valuation will be three years longer than in 2011, according to research by PwC.

Rising equity markets coupled with a small increase in gilt yields helped scheme deficits improve by £2.7bn over August, according to the PPF 7800 index.

UK companies need to take action to limit the impact of IAS 19, with only four months left until implementation, according to Aon Hewitt.

Macfarlane Group has introduced a pension increase exchange option for active and deferred members after reducing pensioner liabilities by 35% through a similar exercise.

Aga Rangemaster has withheld an interim dividend to shareholders as part of a recovery plan agreed in principal with trustees of its pension scheme.

Johnston Press has boosted contributions to its scheme by 60% after seeing its shortfall double last year.

Morgan Stanley's list of the 20 UK firms facing the biggest pension risk.

Share prices of firms with the biggest pension deficits relative to their size have significantly underperformed the market average in the last three years, says Morgan Stanley Research.

The BBC has seen its scheme shortfall rise by more than a billion pounds after a 10% increase in liabilities cancelled out £170m in deficit recovery contributions.

Trading has been suspended in shares of Dawson International after the firm's scheme actuary served it with "notices of a determination of contributions".