liabilities
Redington research finds consolidator investment portfolio more resilient than those of insurers
The investment portfolios of consolidators could be more resilient to market shocks than the typical insurer portfolio, latest research by Redington reveals.
Plumbing pension scheme valuation completed as future accrual ceases
The Plumbing and Mechanical Services (UK) Pension Scheme has completed its 2017 valuation, calculating scheme assets were enough to cover 102% of its liabilities.
BMO combines credit with LDI to simplify de-risking
Funds that match and link credit with liability-driven investing (LDI) have been launched by BMO Global Asset Management in a bid to simplify the process of de-risking defined benefit (DB) schemes.
'Fake news' and funding levels: Why BoE rate rises matter less than you think
Speculation about rate rises has caused some schemes to delay any further liability hedging. Rosalind Mann looks at why this may be the wrong move.
Carillion pension schemes 'had £2.6bn buyout deficit' on collapse
Carillion's 13 UK defined benefit (DB) pension schemes had a combined £2.6bn buyout deficit upon its collapse on 15 January, according to an analysis for Sky News.
DB deficits close as sterling weakens
The total deficit of defined benefit (DB) schemes improved marginally, latest Pension Protection Fund (PPF) data reveals.
Do schemes need to look beyond total returns when measuring success?
Schemes often look at total investment returns when assessing success. However, a recent paper says other factors should also be taken into account. Helen Morrissey reports
Con Keating: More 'market-consistent' follies
Con Keating argues that "inflated" market-consistent valuation estimates are distorting cash equivalent transfer values and service costs.
BA case: Discretionary increase had 'minimal' effect on benefit security, expert actuary says
The Airways Pension Scheme (APS) trustees' decision to grant a discretionary increase would have very little effect on the security of members' benefits, an expert actuary has argued in the High Court.
Strange Ideas
Con Keating takes a look at different approaches to evaluating pension liabilities.
Smoke and Daggers: The continuing debate over liability valuation methodology
In the latest of his articles for Professional Pensions, Con Keating expands on his thoughts on pension liability valuation methodology and explains why his ideas are far from 'crackpot'.
PLSA DB Taskforce: Members at risk; Action urgently needed
The DB Taskforce's interim report reveals the risk of schemes not paying benefits in full is higher than previously thought. Jonathan Stapleton looks at the findings and assesses what can be done.
Why we are wrong about discount rates
Con Keating questions the need for discount rates and argues, even if we do use them, the current methodologies based on market-consistency and expected returns on investment are wrong.
Is the pensions world completely mad - or is it just me?
Kevin Wesbroom looks at the issues the industry faces around liabilities
PPF 7800 deficit almost doubles in a year
The total funding level of the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) 7800 index has worsened for the fourth month in a row, after further gilt yield falls.
Are deficits starting to spook investors?
The cost and size of pension deficits are increasing which has consequences for trustees, company directors and shareholders. Michael Klimes asks if investors are starting to worry.
DB deficit surges £100bn in August
The total deficit for defined benefit (DB) schemes reached £710bn on a funding basis by 29 August amid further falls in gilt yields.
Just 5% of FTSE 250 firms still run large DB schemes
Only 11 companies in the FTSE 250 provide defined benefit (DB) pensions for a significant number of employees, according to JLT Employee Benefits.
Have deferred members been priced out of bulk annuities?
Deferred members dominate the DB universe but the high cost of insuring them makes bulk annuities out of reach for many schemes, even more so since the introduction of Solvency II. Kristian Brunt-Seymour explores what schemes can do.
CPI rise adds to post-Brexit woes for DB schemes
Inflation measured on the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) increased to 0.6% in the year to July 2016 according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Walking uphill: how to manage negative cashflows
As more defined benefit schemes experience negative cashflows Dan Mikulskis looks at how this can be managed.
Amec Foster Wheeler shuts DB schemes; merges into DC
Amec Foster Wheeler has merged its two main defined benefit (DB) schemes into a defined contribution (DC) arrangement after closing the biggest fund to future accrual.
FTSE350 deficits rise 50% in 5 years despite £75bn contributions
Defined benefit (DB) deficits at FTSE350 companies have swelled by £34bn since 2010 despite £15bn being paid into them annually.
Deficits rise to worst level ever following rate cut
Defined benefit liabilities have risen by an eye-watering £70bn on the back of the Bank of England's (BoE) decision to cut interest rates and launch a new round of quantitative easing (QE).