FTSE350
Covid-19 widens FTSE 350 DB funding gap
FTSE 350 companies with defined benefit (DB) pension schemes have been hit particularly hard by the economic crisis caused by Covid-19, latest research from Barnett Waddingham shows.
Respondents unsure if Guy Opperman will remain in post
This week's Pensions Buzz respondents were unsure whether Guy Opperman will stay in post as pensions and financial inclusion minister under the new Prime Minister.
DB deficit falls £10bn over February, finds Skyval
The deficit of defined benefit (DB) pension funds was £200bn at the end of February, according to figures released by PwC's Skyval index, £10bn lower than at the end of January.
DB funding improves by £18bn, says JLT index
The UK's 5,600 defined benefit (DB) schemes saw their funding positions improve by one percentage point over the course of November, according to JLT Employee Benefits.
UK exits 2017 on record high; leads European equity markets
UK equities closed the year at an all-time high, putting the seal on a good year for the stock market, according to S&P Dow Jones.
FTSE 350 DB deficit falls marginally over November
The combined deficit of the FTSE 350's defined benefit (DB) schemes fell by £3bn over the course of November, according to Mercer's Pensions Risk Survey.
2027 will spell the end of FTSE 350 final salary schemes
No FTSE 350 companies will retain a final salary scheme open to accrual by 2027, analysis by Hymans Robertson finds.
Total DB deficit falls 9% over July
The collective deficit of defined benefit (DB) schemes decreased by £40bn to £420bn over July, according to PwC's monthly Skyval index.
Small scheme funding levels falling five times faster than larger peers
The funding levels of smaller schemes fell at a rate nearly five times faster than their larger peers, latest analysis by Goldman Sachs Asset Management reveals.
DB sponsors update mortality assumptions more frequently
Sponsoring employers are increasingly updating mortality assumptions at a more frequent rate to keep on top of changes in pension liabilities, according to Mercer.
FTSE 350 pension deficits wane slightly in February
The aggregate accounting deficit of the FTSE 350's defined benefit (DB) schemes fell by a modest £3bn last month, according to Mercer's latest Pensions Risk Survey.
DC funds twice as likely to use master trusts than in 2015
Master trusts are increasingly becoming the defined contribution (DC) vehicle of choice for FTSE 350 companies as they ditch trust-based schemes.
FTSE 350 DB deficits sit at £108bn after JLT revises tracker
The UK's 350 largest companies ended January with an aggregate defined benefit (DB) deficit of £108bn on an IAS 19 basis, according to JLT Employee Benefits.
FTSE 350 deficits more than double over 2016
The combined deficit of FTSE 350 defined benefit (DB) schemes rose by £98bn over 2016, according to Mercer data.
DB schemes close 2016 with record year-end deficits
The aggregate deficit of FTSE 350 defined benefit (DB) schemes more than doubled in 2016, causing funding levels to plummet 10% in 12 months.
PPF Purple Book shows marked asset allocation shifts
UK pension schemes' average allocation to bonds has risen to over 50% for the first time according to The Pension Protection Fund's (PPF's) Purple Book.
DB funds enjoy 'eye-of-the-storm respite' in November
Private sector defined benefit (DB) schemes saw a small improvement in their funding ratios in November after a year of market turmoil.
PLSA urges FTSE 350 leaders to share more data about workforce
The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) has called on every FTSE 350 firm to divulge more information with investors about their workforce.
Hymans Robertson: More than half of FTSE 350 schemes cashflow negative
The number of FTSE 350 defined benefit (DB) plans which are cashflow negative has increased from 50% to 57% over the course of the year according to Hymans Robertson.
Pension-related insolvencies could be prevented by more stringent accounting
IAS 19 is the accounting standard many sponsors use to make disclosures about their defined benefit schemes in their records. But a report from Lincoln Pensions argues IAS 19 is not good enough. Michael Klimes investigates.
Dividend warning as FTSE 350 deficits soar 135% to 'dizzying heights'
FTSE 350 companies may need to reconsider whether to pay dividends after the total deficit has climbed to £207bn by the end of August.
DB liabilities climb by £100bn over July
Total deficits of UK defined benefit (DB) schemes have reached an all-time high for the sixth month in a row, according to JLT Employee Benefits.
DB contribution levels expected to meet investment shortfall
Companies could increase their defined benefit (DB) contributions rates to meet a £770bn funding gap over the next 60 years.
FTSE 350 schemes supported by weak covenants doubles
Twice as many FTSE 350 companies with defined benefit (DB) schemes are supported by a weak sponsor covenant than in 2006 according to PwC.
