All Defined benefit articles
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NewsGovernment must consult on future of £14bn PPF reserves, says SPP
What to do with PPF reserves?
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OpinionStreamlining the risk transfer process: it’s harder than you might think
Ahead of a new research series from Pensions Expert into small scheme bulk annuities, members of the Endgame Perspectives Group explore how streamlined services have developed, their limitations, and how they can better serve pension schemes and members.
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NewsPro trustees to oversee two thirds of DB market in five years, report predicts
Isio’s survey finds that the 10 largest providers oversee more than 2,400 DB schemes and £1trn in assets – underscoring the ‘systemic importance’ of the sector as highlighted by the Pensions Regulator.
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OpinionWhy the ‘gateway’ for DB superfunds is not a technical issue but a growth one
Ashok Gupta of investment think tank New Capital Consensus argues that the emerging world of defined benefit superfunds could form a crucial part of the government’s growth and investment strategy – but the regulatory approach must change.
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FeaturesIn Depth: What TPR’s Annual Funding Statement tells us about endgame planning
Pensions Expert explores the latest Annual Funding Statement and gauges the industry reaction as attention turns to surplus release regulations, ahead of new rules expected next year.
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NewsBulk annuities update: Bakkavor’s buy-in; Canada Life launches member portal
Food manufacturing company Bakkavor has secured a £160m full scheme buy-in for its defined benefit pension scheme with Rothesay, just months after it was acquired.
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NewsPension Schemes Bill finalised: Industry hails ‘historic moment’ despite spectre of mandation
The Pension Schemes Bill has been finalised after protracted debates between legislators, and will now move to receive Royal Assent. Pensions Expert rounds up some of the industry reaction across the various elements of the new legislation.
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NewsPricing remains key for schemes considering bulk annuities
Research from Standard Life shows how priorities vary depending on the size of the scheme, but the pricing of bulk annuities remains the key determining factor for most trustee boards.
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OpinionThe Friday Takeaway: The Pension Schemes Bill’s missed opportunity
The Pension Schemes Bill is nearly an Act of Parliament, but despite its overarching aim of improving member outcomes, one substantial group of pensioners have been overlooked, writes Nick Reeve.
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NewsBulk annuities latest: Just Group and Rothesay support small scheme buy-ins
Two buy-in deals worth less than £20m in total were announced this week, further evidence of the healthy market for small pension schemes seeking insurance transactions.
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NewsClara launches small scheme service and onboards £43m DB fund
The DB superfund has opened a new section of its structure to offer a streamlined service to smaller pension schemes, while onboarding a camera equipment manufacturer’s pension fund.
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NewsPPI widens lost pensions survey to include DB schemes as demand for tracing grows
The new study will track how the ‘lost pots’ landscape has changed, examining the number of missing pots, their value and age distribution, while also exploring the underlying causes and the implications for savers and policymakers.
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NewsBritish Coal trustees to lobby government for surplus flexibilities
The BCSSS trustees have met with Chris McDonald, the minister for industry, to discuss changes to the scheme rules that would allow the trustees greater control over how any surplus is used in the future.
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NewsUtmost completes first buyout with food supply company
The development means 455 people are now covered by individual annuity policies, after Utmost insured the Noble Foods Limited Pension Scheme last year.
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NewsBulk annuities latest: Services company targets buyout ofter scheme closure
The latest headlines from the bulk annuities sector, including a £1m micro-scheme buy-in for Legal & General and a listed services company’s plan to insure two DB schemes.
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NewsDB schemes end Q1 with stronger funding ratio despite asset volatility
The conflict in Iran has not hurt the overall funding levels of DB schemes so far this year, although aggregate assets have fallen slightly since the end of 2025.
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NewsLow dependency overtakes buyout as DB schemes rethink endgame
Improving funding levels are giving defined benefit schemes more endgame options, but many have yet to put clear governance frameworks in place for surplus and long-term decision-making.
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NewsCan in-specie transfers smooth the path to buy-in?
New research from Standard Life indicates that many defined benefit (DB) trustee boards are considering in-specie transfers of illiquid assets to aid their preparation for bulk annuity transactions.
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NewsHow geopolitics could hurt your scheme’s covenant
As the US-Iran conflict takes another turn, consultancy group LCP has warned that pension scheme trustees need to be aware of the potential impact of geopolitical issues on sponsor covenants.
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OpinionABI: A more productive conversation about investment and DB endgames
Rob Yuille of the Association of British Insurers says it is time we defined our terms around productive investment to make sure policies work for all stakeholders.