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Latest DB news
British Heart Foundation completes £37m buy-in with Royal London
The charity has insured the benefits of more than 200 members through a transaction that was completed in just 14 working days.
Engineering organisation secures £40m buy-in with PIC
The transaction secures the benefits of all 200 members of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ defined benefit pension scheme.
M&G backs £205m buy-in for Huntsman Pension Scheme
The deal insures the pensions of more than 660 retirees and deferred pensioners and was completed in the first quarter of 2025.
Church scheme secures £4m buy-in as smaller deals set to increase
New endgame options and macroeconomic conditions have slowed the bulk annuity market, according to Broadstone, but deals for smaller pension schemes are expected to continue to grow.
Honda steers £800m buy-in with L&G for DB pension scheme
The £800m transaction secures the retirement benefits of more than 1,700 retirees and 3,000 deferred members, and included a deferred premium element to help the trustees manage illiquid assets.
DB schemes ride out Q2 volatility to retain strong funding position
Ongoing tariff negotiations and the Autumn Budget are among the risks trustees must navigate over the coming months, as well as ongoing discussions around surplus release.
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
Three quarters of trustees are open to using surplus release power
The government intends to make changes to the Pensions Act 1995 to allow trustees to change defined benefit pension scheme rules to facilitate surplus release.
Relief for DB schemes as government pledges action on section 37 issues
The DWP has said the government will legislate to address the issues posed by the Virgin Media-NTL case and allow for retrospective actuarial approval to be given to historic amendments.
‘Game changer’: Pension Schemes Bill laid before parliament
The government will today introduce the much-anticipated Pension Schemes Bill to parliament, setting the stage for a wide-ranging and ambitious overhaul of workplace pensions in the UK.
Trustees urged to consider all endgame options as rule changes loom
The Pensions Regulator has set out new guidance around endgame options - but has acknowledged that more will be needed as the government brings in new rules.
Comment & opinion
Why you should attend the Pensions Expert DB Strategic Summit
The Friday Takeaway: We’ve got bills, they’re multiplying
SPP: How the government’s proposed DB surplus release rules will work
The Friday Takeaway: Mulling over the road to reform
Railpen chief: Lessons from six months in pensions – and where we go next