Deficits

NETHERLANDS - The combined pension deficit of the Netherlands' 50 largest companies grew by €1bn ($1.3bn) in 2010, research by LCP has found.

Kingfisher has extended the asset-backed funding partnership with its pension scheme with the addition of two UK properties worth £119m.

The John Lewis Partnership Pension Trust has seen its accounting deficit rise by 16% to £479m in the first half of the year.

US - The aggregate deficit in S&P 1500 pension plans increased by $73bn during August as equities and bond yields suffered a rollercoaster month, figures from Mercer show.

Birmingham City Council has disclosed a defined benefit scheme deficit of £1.4bn in its latest set of accounts.

The aggregate deficit of UK defined benefit schemes improved by £15bn last month despite market volatility, thanks to price inflation outlook, Xafinity Corporate Solutions says.

Phoenix group has closed its defined benefit pension schemes to future accrual to limit future costs and volatility relating to the funds' deficit.

Henry Boot has seen its pensions deficit rise in the first six months of this year despite implementing a raft of changes in March to limit its liabilities.

G4S has closed its three UK defined benefit schemes to future accrual to limit the future growth of liabilities.

Prestige car retailer H.R. Owen has agreed a series of annual £50,000 contributions with its trustees to address the defined benefit scheme's deficit.