Inflation

Removing compulsory inflation proofing from defined benefit schemes would "widen the gulf" between public and private sector provision, says consultant John Ralfe.

The Office for National Statistics' decision to downgrade the status of the retail prices index and publish two additional inflation measures could lead to the index being dropped, warn consultants.

Liability assumptions have wiped out higher than expected asset returns and a de-risking exercise for the Johnston Press Pension Plan, its final year accounts show.

International rules designed to bring transparency to the opaque derivatives market could backfire by imposing heavy costs on pension funds and force them to abandon hedging strategies, the industry's trade body warns.

UK inflation expectations yesterday hit their highest levels since the beginning of the financial crisis in September 2008.

Mark Carney's arrival at the Bank of England will prompt a fresh round of monetary policy with "no let-up" for pension funds already struggling with low interest rates, the former deputy governor of the Bank told delegates.

The vast majority of respondents to the National Statistician's consultation on the retail prices index called for no change because of fears over the impact of any alteration on savings.

Insurer RSA saw its deficit rise substantially despite an increase in its assets and contributions from the sponsor, its results show.

Telecoms group Everything Everywhere has seen its defined benefit scheme deficit rise by 48% over 2012 as liabilities increased by £60m, according to its results.

Pendragon has merged its six defined benefit schemes into one as its liabilities increase by 245%, its full year results show.