All deficit articles – Page 2
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NewsPandemic damage mitigated as quarter of schemes are in surplus
More than a quarter (27 per cent) of defined benefit and hybrid schemes with tranche 15 valuations were in surplus on a technical provisions basis, despite the market shock of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Pensions Regulator’s latest scheme funding analysis.
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NewsUSS annual report shows significant improvement but angers unions
The significant improvement in the Universities Superannuation Scheme’s funding position and resilience has angered the University and College Union, which argued that benefit cuts implemented in April were “totally unnecessary” in light of the scheme’s strength.
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NewsUSS review sees ‘much improved’ deficit cut by £12bn
Despite an accelerated year-end review conducted by the Universities Superannuation Scheme revealing a “much improved deficit”, with a reduction of £12bn, the trustee board is reluctant to agree to interim changes to benefits of contribution rates before the scheme’s 2023 valuation.
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NewsAon and Mercer issue ‘urgent’ call to action over LDI strategies
Consultancies Aon and Mercer have urged pension schemes, trustees and sponsors to prepare to intervene to protect their schemes, as bond market volatility puts strain on liability-driven investment strategies.
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NewsDe La Rue agrees £320mn buy-in
On the go: The £988.7mn De La Rue Pension Scheme has agreed a £320mn buy-in with insurer Scottish Widows.
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NewsDB schemes’ surplus increases £55bn in May
On the go: The aggregate surplus of the 5,215 defined benefit schemes in the Pension Protection Fund 7800 Index increased by £55.4bn in May.
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NewsBT slashes pensions deficit by £4bn in one year
On the go: BT has cut its defined benefit pensions deficit by £4bn in the year to March 31 2022, a fall partly attributed to a higher discount rate due to increased yields.
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NewsITV hit with £133mn warning notice by TPR
The Pensions Regulator has slapped a £133mn warning notice on broadcaster ITV after it failed to provide adequate support to the Box Clever pension scheme by the regulator’s deadline.
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NewsMorrisons promises to protect McColl’s pensions in takeover
On the go: Supermarket chain Morrisons has prevailed in the bidding war for troubled retailer McColl’s, beating a rival bid from EG Group. The acquisition will reportedly uphold all promises made to McColl’s pension schemes.
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NewsFTSE 350 DB deficit reaches two-year low amid bond yield rise
The accounting deficit of the defined benefit schemes of the UK’s 350 biggest public companies fell to £45bn at the end of last month — a level last seen in April 2020.
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NewsCapital build-up sees Lloyds make extra £500mn deficit contribution
On the go: Lloyds Banking Group has made £1.3bn in deficit contributions to its three main defined benefit pension schemes.
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NewsTPR funding statement flags uncertainty impact for valuations
High levels of uncertainty surrounding inflation, interest rates, mortality, energy prices and economic growth will put additional pressure on trustees completing their tranche 17 valuations this year, according to the Pensions Regulator’s annual funding statement.
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NewsNew strike mandate at universities over USS pensions row
On the go: Staff at 27 universities have a mandate to take strike action over pensions that will last until October 2022, after the University and College Union secured the support of its members.
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NewsDB scheme surplus rises £43bn in March
On the go: The aggregate surplus of the 5,215 defined benefit schemes in the Pension Protection Fund 7800 Index increased by £42.8bn in March.
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NewsUSS trustee concerned by ‘misleading’ use of financial reports
On the go: The Universities Superannuation Scheme trustee has issued an update on scheme finances, and expressed its concern that previous use of monitoring statements by parties involved in the ongoing 2020 valuation dispute could be “misleading” members about the true state of the scheme.
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NewsUCU calls for an end to USS cuts in light of improved finances
On the go: The University and College Union has called on employers to reverse plans for what it called “brutal cuts” to staff pensions, in light of a “drastic improvement” in Universities Superannuation Scheme finances.
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NewsNatWest pumps £427mn into pensions as govt reduces its stake
NatWest Group has paid £427mn into its pension scheme as a result of an off-market purchase of ordinary shares from HM Treasury, which saw the government’s stake in the banking group drop beneath 50 per cent for the first time since the 2008 financial crash.
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NewsDB schemes’ surplus drops £12.8bn in February
On the go: The aggregate surplus of the 5,215 defined benefit schemes in the Pension Protection Fund 7800 Index decreased by £12.8bn in February.
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NewsUCU threatens yet more strikes over employers’ USS deal
On the go: The University and College Union has threatened yet more industrial action, including a marking and assessment boycott, as the row over the resolution of the Universities Superannuation Scheme’s 2020 consultation escalates.
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OpinionCoriolanus, war and the Universities Superannuation Scheme
Longer ago than I care to admit, I studied A-level English literature. My teacher was the late and frequently lamented Frank Unsworth; a teacher who also tutored Danny Boyle — he of Slumdog Millionaire fame, and who choreographed the opening ceremony to the 2012 Olympic Games — whom I have never met and who would not recognise me if he fell over me.