All Defined benefit articles
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NewsInsurers urged to give more information on post-deal customer service
LCP and Law Debenture are calling for insurers to disclose comparable data around customer service and administration to help trustees make decisions on bulk annuity transactions.
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NewsAttractive pricing expected to keep bulk annuity market bouyant through 2026
Attractive insurance pricing should lead to a busy end to 2026 for the bulk annuity market, despite muted volumes in the first half, according to new analyses.
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NewsTPR data shows continued funding improvements as new regime looms
Data from the Pensions Regulator shows continued improvement in funding levels for defined benefit pension schemes, as trustees review endgame options amid an expanded menu of options.
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People NewsMurray takes over as chair for Railways Pension Scheme
Richard Murray is taking over from Christine Kernoghan as chair of trustees for the £36bn multi-employer pension scheme for the railways sector.
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NewsEndgame latest: Trio of announcements from buy-in to wind-up
The latest updates on endgame activity span from Canada Life’s £52m buy-in to the full wind-up of a flavours and fragrances company’s defined benefit pension scheme.
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NewsXPS urges fiduciary manager reviews as more DB schemes consider run-on
Improved funding levels and changing DB endgames are altering what schemes need from their fiduciary managers, according to XPS Group.
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NewsPension groups back PPF valuation changes but raise levy concerns
Proposed changes to PPF valuation assumptions have prompted calls for a wider rethink of s179 requirements and warnings over unintended consequences for levy calculations and Fast Track funding.
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NewsInvestment latest: USS acquires rail company; Insight nets £1bn mandate
USS has agreed to take over a rail freight company, while Insight is to help facilitate surplus sharing through a £1bn mandate with an unnamed DB pension scheme.
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NewsBulk annuities latest: M&G strikes £100m ‘BPA-plus’ deal with financial services firm
The bulk annuity deal is combined with M&G’s With-Profits Fund to give access to potential additional investment returns. Plus, Just Group insures a manufacturer’s scheme for £11m.
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In DepthIn Depth: Pensions UK’s responses to crucial consultations as reform takes shape
With a trio of crucial consultations concluding this month, Nick Reeve explores what the pensions industry’s trade association is lobbying for and how it hopes to shape major reforms.
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OpinionSharing is caring: making the right call in surplus release decisions
Maggie Rodger, co-chair of the Association of Member Nominated Trustees, explains her organisation’s response to the surplus release consultation and the crucial factors all parties need to consider.
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NewsDB running costs up by a third – and size is no protection, data shows
Data from TPT Retirement Solutions shows legal, admin, governance, and data-related fees are among the drivers of year-on-year increases – and size is no protection against rising costs.
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NewsClara-Pensions onboards £40m scheme through small transactions service
More than 400 members of the unnamed scheme will join the Clara Pension Trust, which aims to be a ‘bridge to buyout’ with an insurer.
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NewsCanada Life wraps up food company scheme through £400m buy-in
The transaction secures the benefits of more than 7,000 members of the Samworth Brothers Limited Superannuation Scheme, sponsored by the owner of the Ginsters and West Cornwall Pasty Company brands.
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NewsL&G strikes biggest bulk annuity deal of 2026 with £1.7bn buy-in
The buy-in secures the benefits of 16,400 members, and the trustee board highlighted the importance of continued strong customer service as a key factor in selecting L&G.
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OpinionOwn Risk Assessment: The starting point for pension board effectiveness
Vidett’s Kelly Newton looks at what the new ORA requirement means for trustee boards, and how to get the most out of the process.
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OpinionWhat does good pension scheme performance look like?
Lindsey Matthews, chief risk officer at the Universities Superannuation Scheme, explains why and how the largest pension fund in the UK takes a bespoke approach to assessing performance.
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NewsTrustees must be in control of surplus decisions, trade bodies argue
Organisations representing member-nominated and professional trustees have emphasised the importance of independence during surplus decisions for defined benefit pension schemes.
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NewsSchemes keeping surplus release options open as rulebook debated, Aon finds
More than three-quarters of defined benefit (DB) pension schemes’ trustee boards and sponsoring employers have yet to agree on how surplus will be shared once the new rules come into force next year.
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NewsDB surplus release rules need refinement, industry tells government
With the government’s consultation on draft rules closing next week, providers and trade bodies have been forthright in their views on the plans, with many changes urged to ensure fairness and mitigate conflicts of interest.