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Latest DB news
Box Clever members transferred to ITV Pension Scheme to end decade-long saga
Box Clever members have been receiving benefits level with PPF compensation since 2014, but will now see these restored in full and back payments made after members were transferred to the ITV scheme on 1 October.
Bulk annuities latest: Just, Canada Life and L&G announce deals
This week’s announcements include buy-ins for a transport and logistics company, Ford’s motor racing arm, and the producer of Irn-Bru.
Aptia seeks to expand service offering with Atkin Pensions acquisition
Administration provider Aptia has also hired Stuart Heatley from Capita to lead a new unit that will provide bundled consultancy and actuarial services.
Logistics firm agrees buy-in for TPT master trust section
Seabourne Holdings has secured a buy-in with Just Group, insuring a section of the TPT DB Master Trust after five years of outsourced scheme management.
Bulk annuities latest: Royal London completes £16m buy-in
Plus, Aviva and M&G complete buy-in transactions for unnamed pension schemes sponsored by US parent companies, with combined premiums totalling more than £220m.
Logistics firm agrees buy-in for TPT master trust section
Seabourne Holdings has secured a buy-in with Just Group, insuring a section of the TPT DB Master Trust after five years of outsourced scheme management.
Bulk annuities latest: Royal London completes £16m buy-in
Plus, Aviva and M&G complete buy-in transactions for unnamed pension schemes sponsored by US parent companies, with combined premiums totalling more than £220m.
MyCSP staff union announces three more weeks of strike action
The Public and Commercial Services union plans a further escalation in its dispute with MyCSP, the outgoing administrator of the Civil Service Pension Scheme, with members preparing to strike from 7 to 28 November.
Ford drives biggest buy-in of 2025 with £4.6bn L&G deal
The transaction covers around 35,000 members of two Ford defined benefit schemes, and is the second largest deal L&G has ever completed.
Features and analysis
Five Questions For… Morten Nilsson, Brightwell
Pensions Expert spoke to Brightwell chief executive Morten Nilsson about the government’s surplus release plans, and how he envisages sharing the BT Pension Scheme’s experiences with the wider market.
Pensions lawyers call on government to resolve s37 uncertainty
DB pension schemes have been left in legal limbo in relation to section 37 confirmations, with the High Court expected to take several months to produce its latest judgement.
Innovation needed to stop illiquid assets delaying bulk annuities
Consultancy giant Aon has written to insurers calling for more innovation on tackling illiquid assets held by pension schemes approaching the bulk annuity market.
Outlook 2025: New insurers set to make waves in busy DB market
From an evolving bulk annuity market to debates over the use of pension scheme surpluses, next year looks set to be as busy as ever for the defined benefit sector, writes Alex Janiaud.
Changing course: The case for reinvesting pension scheme surpluses
Ahead of chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Mansion House speech on Thursday, Pensions Expert explores changing attitudes towards defined benefit scheme surpluses and how they could be used to benefit members, employers and the wider economy.
Five Questions For… Morten Nilsson, Brightwell
Pensions lawyers call on government to resolve s37 uncertainty
Innovation needed to stop illiquid assets delaying bulk annuities
Outlook 2025: New insurers set to make waves in busy DB market
Changing course: The case for reinvesting pension scheme surpluses
More defined benefit news
Pensions industry confident of sector’s resilience in face of major reforms
More than three quarters of pensions industry professionals expect the sector to successfully navigate the significant reforms proposed over the next few years, according to new research from trade body Pensions UK.
‘More flexibilities’ for trustees to consider in DB Funding Code
Three-quarters of respondents quizzed during a recent webinar hosted by LCP said they believed there was more for trustees to consider, including aspects of covenant, surplus, and investment strategy.
Actuarial watchdog to develop technical guidance after Virgin Media rulings
The guidance will help actuaries who are asked to sign off on legacy pension scheme amendments retrospectively – an issue that has been plaguing certain private sector DB pension schemes since a 2023 court ruling.
L&G announces new leadership for institutional retirement business
Gareth Mee will take over as chief executive of Legal & General’s institutional arm, which includes its bulk annuity services, in December this year.
TPT plots superfund launch to support schemes targeting run-on
The planned superfund would be the second to hit the market after Clara Pensions, and the first not explicitly targeting an insurance endgame.
Case for surplus release continues to strengthen as DB funding improves
Data reports from XPS Group, Broadstone, and LCP demonstrate the strong funding positions enjoyed by the majority of defined benefit pension schemes at the end of the third quarter of 2025.
Endgame options driving fiduciary management’s ‘evolution’, report shows
Large outsourcing agreements are helping to offset the pipeline of DB pension schemes heading for buyout, according to Quantum Advisory, as trustees weigh up more endgame options.
PRA concerns could affect bulk annuity pricing and capacity, says LCP
The regulator’s ongoing work on a niche sector of the insurance market could affect how bulk annuity transactions are priced and structured in the future.
Comment & opinion
Why pensions administration is having a ‘Cinderella moment’
SPP: Is tail risk starting to wag the dog?
The Friday Takeaway: A gathering storm?
Irritation or anxiety? The financial impact of member data errors
The AMNT’s pensions manifesto for 2030 and beyond