discount rates
Tougher audit stance leading to 'bunched' discount rates
FTSE 350 defined benefit (DB) schemes are "bunching" around an average discount rate of 2.8% due to higher yields and a tougher stance from auditors, Hymans Robertson research finds.
Con Keating: Discount rates and DB pension scheme valuation - A history lesson
It is important to look back at how the discount rate methodology came about in the first place, says Brighton Rock Group's head of research
Centrica's pension deficit falls by £857m in H1
Centrica has announced the funding hole across its pension schemes fell by 97% to £29m at the end of June 2018.
Being 'economical' with the truth with discount rates
Iain Clacher and Con Keating say there is much confusion over pension valuations and argue all the methods currently used are wrong. They say a pragmatic resolution could be to use the expected return on assets
Death by discount rate: The fundamental flaws of the accounting approach to pension scheme valuation
Controversy over the discount rate used to value defined benefit pension liabilities is nothing new but, as Tim Wilkinson and Frank Curtiss explain, the flaws may be more serious than many realise.
Tesco DB deficit plunges by £2.8bn after changing discount rate calculation
Supermarket giant Tesco has halved its overall defined benefit (DB) deficit after adapting its discount rate calculations to better reflect trends in long-dated corporate bond yields.
First Actuarial's DB index surplus reaches record high in November
All 6,000 UK schemes had a surplus of £358bn by the end of last month when calculated under a best estimate return on their assets, according to First Actuarial.
FTSE 100 funding level drops by 3% over 2016
The combined deficit of FTSE 100 defined benefit (DB) schemes grew by more than £10bn over 2016, Barnett Waddingham research has estimated.
Gilts plus 'unhelpful' in current climate, survey says
Over half of pension professionals believe the 'gilts plus' valuation method is unhelpful in the current economic environment, according to Aon Hewitt research.
Centrica's pensions deficit balloons by £1bn over 2016
Centrica's defined benefit (DB) pension deficit soared by 855% in 2016, its latest annual accounts have revealed.
RM's pension deficit rises nearly 60% in a year
Education technology provider RM has seen the deficit of its defined benefit (DB) scheme rise by £12.8m in one year.
Flawed discount rates are harming business
Michael O'Higgins argues a sensible approach to assessing DB cash flow needs would lead to better business decisions.
Sainsbury's pension deficit rises £674m in six months
Sainsbury's has seen the shortfall of its defined benefit (DB) scheme increase to £1.1bn by 24 September following a "significant" fall in discount rates.
DB schemes in £358bn surplus under 'more realistic' discount rate
The UK's 5,945 defined benefit (DB) schemes have an overall funding ratio of 133% under realistic investment return assumptions, according to First Actuarial.
Have your say: Should the government delay LISA?
This week we want to know if the government should delay bringing in the lifetime ISA, after concerns the industry might not be ready.
Cost of public service pensions to rise annually by £3bn
Maintaining public sector pensions will cost £3bn more each year with employer contributions expected to rise according to KPMG.
Why can't actuaries make their minds up?
John Gray asks why agreement can’t be made on appropriate discount rates for the LGPS
We need a broader debate on discount rates
Hilary Salt says we need to take another look at how discount rates are used.
Do schemes need to overhaul investments for 2016?
While rising rates will reduce liabilities, global divergence in monetary policy poses serious risks for scheme funding levels, writes Stephanie Baxter.
Discount rates for blue chip schemes on the rise
Average IAS19 discount rates used by FTSE100 companies to calculate pensions deficits have risen for the first time in five years.
Range of scheme accounting assumptions narrows
The range of accounting assumptions used by scheme sponsors to value pension liabilities narrowed significantly last year, according to research from KPMG.
LPFA offers LGPS employer contribution assessment service
The London Pension Fund Authority (LPFA) has launched a risk-based employer contribution assessment for Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) funds.
BT scheme deficit hits £7.3bn
The BT Group pension scheme's deficit hit £7.3bn gross of tax after an increase in market inflation expectations.
Sainsbury's sees £635m drop in actuarial valuation deficit
Sainsbury's defined benefit (DB) scheme actuarial deficit has fallen by £635m over the three years between March 2009 and 2012, its interim results show.
