Deficits

UK - The Pensions Regulator has rejected proposals from chilled prepared foods firm Uniq to fund a £436m scheme deficit.

The Pensions Regulator has rejected proposals from chilled prepared foods firm Uniq to fund a £436m scheme deficit.

A consultation on proposed changes to the Universities Superannuation Scheme is expected to start in late September, following the scheme committee's decision to accept a range of reforms.

The decline in retiree's pension pots and increasing life expectancy supports the need for an increase in the retirement age, Aon Consulting says.

Businesses with pension deficits are starting to utilise property to finance the gap. Laura Blows finds out how companies are using property as a contingent asset and the advantage of these types of arrangements

US - Pension deficits at S&P1500 companies reached $451bn at the end of June according to Mercer, just $1bn short of the previous record high set in January 2009.

The aggregate deficit of the 6653 schemes in the Pension Protection Fund's PPF 7800 index amounted to £21.8bn at the end June down from a surplus of £11.7bn at the end of May.

The trustee of the BT Pension Scheme is seeking a High Court ruling on the scope and extent of the Crown Guarantee, which could force the government to support its £9bn deficit in the event of insolvency.

US - States may face increased retirement- fund deficits and pressure to stop skipping pension contributions under proposals being reviewed by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.

The government is set to index private sector pension increases to the Consumer Price Index in a move that could cut £100bn from scheme liabilities.