Pensions Age Magazine - DC and DB corporate pensions news and more

Latest News

Top Story

PPF levy to remain at zero for 2026/27

By Jack Gray

26/2/26

The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) has confirmed that the levy on conventional defined benefit (DB) schemes under its protection will remain at zero for 2026/27.

This is the second year in a row that conventional schemes, which are DB schemes with a substantive sponsoring employer, will not be charged a PPF levy

PASA urges schemes to move beyond ‘big bang’ digital projects

Pension schemes should move away from high-risk ‘big bang’ system replacements and instead embrace incremental, component-based digital transformation, the Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) has said in the final part of its Digital Admin Guidance series

Pension funds moving to scenario-driven and dynamic portfolio construction approach

Pension funds are adapting their portfolio construction approaches as uncertainty becomes more structural, return dispersion widens, and traditional anchors for asset allocation weaken, according to a report from BlackRock

Nature capital now a 'mainstream asset' for UK pension funds

Natural capital is increasingly being treated as a mainstream asset by UK pension funds, with schemes targeting returns of up to 20 per cent from forestry and sustainable agriculture allocations, according to research from Pensions for Purpose

Nearly a third of professionals expect most DB schemes to reach buyout within three years

Almost a third (31 per cent) of pension professionals believe that more than half of defined benefit (DB) schemes will complete the transition from buy-in to buyout within three years, according to polling conducted by the Society of Pension Professionals (SPP)

The pensions industry has voiced its opposition to Reform UK’s planned changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) if it was elected

Half of over-60s face inadequate retirement income as gender gap persists

Half of adults aged 62-65 are at risk of inadequate retirement income, with women facing significantly lower private pension wealth and greater reliance on the state pension, analysis from The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed

Kier Group pension scheme completes £9.5m risk transfer deal with Just Group

The Mouchel Business Services Limited Pension Scheme, sponsored by Kier Group Limited, has completed a £9.5m risk transfer transaction with Just Group, securing the benefits of all 220 members

Trinity Retirement Benefit Scheme secures £270m BPA deal with M&G

The Trinity Retirement Benefit Scheme has completed a £270m bulk purchase annuity (BPA) deal with M&G, securing the benefits of more than 3,200 members

UK pension scheme completes £40m private debt transfer

An unnamed UK pension scheme has completed a £40m private debt secondary transaction, transferring a fund position to a syndicate of other UK pension schemes as part of its broader risk management strategy

Financial advice firm The Retirement Studio launches

A new financial advice firm providing retirement planning, pension advice, and investment solutions, The Retirement Studio, has launched following authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

View More News

Highlighted Content

A year of innovation

Before looking ahead to the forthcoming year, People’s Pension proposition director, Kirsty Ross, looks back at some of their biggest and brightest achievements in 2025

Aptia: Adding innovation to administration and beyond

Aptia Group CEO, Bala Viswanathan, chats with Pensions Age about reshaping pensions administration through technology and talent

DC focus: Embracing the transformation

Reshaping retirement investing

Trustees Guide 2026

We cover many key issues to help Trustees navigate a complex environment in 2026

DC structures under the spotlight

Clare Freeman highlights the importance of reviewing established DC structures – whether its own trust, GPP or master trust – to improve governance, implement cost eﬃciencies and ultimately enhance member outcomes

Two steps forward, one step back

From reflections on the Budget, to considerations for future scheme design, our panel of experts reflects on the DC and master trust world of today and into the future

Latest Podcasts

Podcast: From pension pot to flexible income for life

Podcast: Who matters most in pensions?

In the latest Pensions Age podcast, Francesca Fabrizi speaks to Capita Pension Solutions global practice leader & chief revenue officer, Stuart Heatley, about who matters most in pensions and how to best meet their needs

Podcast: A look at asset-backed securities

Royal London Asset Management head of ABS, Jeremy Deacon, chats about asset-backed securities (ABS) in our latest Pensions Age podcast

The role of CDC

In the latest Pensions Age podcast, Laura Blows speaks to TPT Retirement Solutions Chief Client Strategy Officer, Andy O’Regan, about the role of collective DC (CDC) within the UK pensions space

Keeping on track

In the latest Pensions Age podcast, Sophie Smith talks to Pensions Dashboards Programme (PDP) principal, Chris Curry, about the latest pensions dashboards developments, and the work still needed to stay on track

View More Podcasts

View Videos

Check out our latest appointments

Appointments update – 24 February 2026

London CIV has announced the appointment of Danny Firth as chief operating officer

Appointments update – 18 February 2026

BlackRock has appointed Cyprian Njamma as head of investment strategy for UK defined benefit (DB) pensions

Appointments update – 12 February 2026

Legal and General (L&G) has appointed Lucy Blanchard-Burton as head of master trust and Independent Governance Committee (IGC)

Appointments update – 5 February 2026

LGPS Central has confirmed David Kane will serve as its permanent chief finance officer (CFO) following a period as interim CFO, while Nicola Dymond has been appointed as chief operations & technology officer

Appointments update – 3 February 2026

Local Pensions Partnership Investments (LPPI) has appointed Roelie van Wijk as a non-executive director, effective 1 April 2026

Check out our latest features

Swipe right for retirement: Can pension apps match modern expectations?

As consumer technology races ahead, pensions are still struggling to deliver digital experiences that feel intuitive, responsive and engaging. Callum Conway explores whether pension apps are finally closing the gap

Sizing up the social mobility challenge

Paige Perrin investigates why social mobility in the UK pensions industry remains limited, and how apprenticeships, DEI initiatives, and smarter recruitment could finally open the doors to a more diverse workforce, in the latest for Pensions Age’s special focus on DEI

Disclosures without the drama

As policymakers grapple with the future of pension sustainability reporting, UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF) chief executive, James Alexander, sits down with Sophie Smith to call for smarter, more coherent disclosure rules that drive real-world outcomes, rather than red tape barriers

Going private: The asset class gathering pace

As the Mansion House Compact and Accord take hold, UK pension schemes are stepping up allocations to private markets. Sandra Haurant reports

Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?

The challenge for the pensions industry to spot AI-generated ‘deepfakes’, and the role they may play in identity fraud

The sum of many small parts

As the number of self-employed continues to rise, what changes are required to better assist them in their retirement saving?

Coming of age

With the professional trustee market reportedly entering a new stage of maturity, Laura Blows

explores whether the sector is experiencing any growing pains

The future of covenant assessment

Employer Covenant Practitioners Association chair, Luke Hartley, explores the continued importance of the employer covenant throughout this period of great change

Putting the ‘me’ in member

Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) pensions operations and services executive,

Stephen Worthington, explains how the UK’s largest private pension scheme has made member experience central to its operations

Cheap and cheerful?

The debate between cost and value has continued to persist, as whilst increased scale has allowed providers to negotiate better fees, not all are convinced that this is delivering the best value for savers

Closing the disability pensions gap

Many people with disabilities are unable to accumulate significant occupational or private pension savings, in part because of the difficulties to find work and the struggles they may face within the workplace. David Adams looks at what the pensions industry, employers and policymakers might do to help ensure more disabled people can enjoy a better income in retirement

Multi-employer CDC in practice – from drawing board to delivery

After years of planning, the first multi-employer CDC pension schemes could be launched as early as 2027, with regulators set to publish rules this autumn

View More Features

Check out our latest jobs

Head of Pensions

Posted by

84,421 to £93,565 plus benefits and relocation support

Stevenage / Hybrid

Full time

The Hertfordshire Pension Fund is part of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and administered by Hertfordshire County Council. With 123,922 members, 529 employers, and £6.25 billion in assets, we are a cornerstone of financial security for thousands of public sector employees across the county. Joining us means playing a vital role in delivering excellence, innovation, and integrity in public service.

View Job

Pensions UK Chair

Posted by Pensions UK

Pensions UK is the voice of pensions in the UK, trusted and heard by the government and the pensions industry.

View Job

International Pensions and Benefits Manager

Posted by Sammons Pensions Recruitment

six figure base, superb benefits package and bonus potential

London Office Based

Varied and rewarding in-house appointment to manage international pensions, employee benefits and wellness plans.

To discuss this role in confidence please call Sarah Bergin-McCarthy on 020 7293 7022 or email sbm@sammons.co.uk. please quote reference 72659.

View Job

Pensions System Developer

Posted by Abenefit2u

Salary depended on experience

Either 100% remote or hybrid working in London or South East

Permanent

Are you an experienced SQL Developer with pensions or payroll systems knowledge? Do you thrive on working with complex data in a regulated environment where accuracy, compliance and quality truly matter?

This ambitious and expanding business is strengthening its already well-established development function and is seeking a talented SQL Developer with pensions experience to join its growing team. With recent new business wins driving expansion, this is an exciting opportunity to step into a key role offering real influence, autonomy and the chance to shape systems that directly support pensions operations and client delivery.

For a confidential discussion please telephone Tasha Davidson on 0208 274 2842 / 07958 958626 or email tasha@abenefit2u.com

View Job

Deputy Pensions Manager, in-house

Posted by Sammons Pensions Recruitment

Competitive package + comprehensive benefits

Hybrid/Surrey offices 2 days a week

Exceptional, progressive in-house appointment for a motivated Pensions professional. M&A and TUPE knowledge beneficial.

To discuss this role in confidence please call Sarah Bergin-McCarthy on 020 7293 7022 or email sbm@sammons.co.uk. please quote reference 71351.

View Job