interest rates
DB deficit climbs £40bn as rate rise fails to dent
The aggregate deficit of the UK's defined benefit (DB) schemes rose to £450bn over the course of November, PwC's Skyval index has recorded.
Next UK rate rise will be in 2018, says industry
Respondents believe another rate rise is question of when, not if.
How will the rate rise affect DB pension funds?
The Bank of England has raised rates for the first time in 10 years on a gradual path towards normalisation. Stephanie Baxter explores whether this will give schemes a reprieve from low yields
Rate hike just 'symbolic' gesture for DB schemes
The Bank of England's (BoE) decision to increase interest rates for the first time in over a decade has been welcomed by the industry, yet the move will only be "symbolic" for most defined benefit (DB) schemes.
Five stories you may have missed this week
This week's top stories included the Trades Union Congress calling for collective defined contribution schemes after finding a bad year of investment performance a year before retirement can leave savers £5,000 a year worse off.
Bank of England raises rates for first time in over a decade to 0.5%
Follows rising inflation and GDP
BoE interest rate decision - 'Market has got ahead of itself'
90% chance of rate hike priced in
DB schemes see £50bn improvement in October
The combined funding position of the UK's defined benefit (DB) schemes improved by £50bn over October, PwC analysis suggests.
Sterling falls to eight-week low as uncertain economic outlook weighs
Fell almost 0.5% on Tuesday
General election result drives down absolute hedging in Q2
Hedging appetite fell during the second quarter of this year as a lack of index-linked gilt supply continued to bite, BMO Global Asset Management has said.
Inflation close to 'topping out' as CPI holds steady at 2.6% in July
Unchanged from previous month
BoE: Interest rates may rise faster than expected
Interest rates may increase faster in the future than financial markets have priced in, the Bank of England's (BoE) deputy governor has said.
Low yields bite as UK slips in global retirement rankings
Brexit-related uncertainty and low bond yields have weakened the UK's retirement system, with the nation slipping in 2017 global rankings for retirement security.
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.
Support for FTSE 350 schemes weakest since recession
The UK's 350 largest listed companies are becoming increasingly unlikely to be able to meet their pension obligations, PwC research has suggested.
Fed increases rates by 25bps; Hints at two more hikes in 2017
In a move that had been widely expected by markets, the Federal Reserve has increased US interest rates by a further 25 basis points (bps), marking its third rise since December 2015, as the US economy continues to improve.
Schemes need to plan for being cashflow negative
Sorca Kelly-Scholte says schemes need to start looking at making changes to investment strategies as they become cashflow negative.
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.
Treasury committee to probe impact of QE and low rates on pensions
The Treasury select committee is to investigate how low interest rates and quantitative easing have impacted the economy since 2008.
Pensions and the legacy of zero and negative interest rate policies
Sorca Kelly-Scholte looks at the legacy of zero and negative interest rate policies.
How can we deal with the ultra-low interest rate environment?
Hilary Salt looks at the challenges of operating in a low interest rate environment.
BoE: No evidence QE damages businesses with DB schemes
Further quantitative easing (QE) and cutting interest rates to 0.25% have not hurt businesses with defined benefit (DB) schemes, according to the Bank of England (BoE).
Could the UK experience the same fate as Japan?
Increased uncertainty around Brexit could lead to a prolonged period of low economic growth like that experienced by Japan. Charlotte Moore looks at what this will mean and how it can be prevented.
Could factor-based investing improve value for money in DC?
The 0.75% charge cap is forcing DC schemes to be creative in their investment strategy to generate adequate returns for members. One possible approach is factor-based investing, writes Michael Klimes