De-risking

One of the major players in the de-risking market, JRP Group, has rebranded as Just.

The Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC) and GKN Group have approved a £190m buyout in one of the first de-risking deals of 2017.

Legal & General has completed a £1.1bn pension buyout for the Vickers Group Pension Scheme which is part of the Rolls-Royce Group.

The Smiths Industries Pension Scheme has concluded a £250m buy-in with Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC).

Punter Southall has named Colette Christiansen as its head of de-risking solutions.

With demand for bulk annuities predicted to reach £350bn by 2026, supply may not be able to keep up, which could push up pricing. Kristian Brunt-Seymour looks at whether it is an issue and what it means for schemes.

The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) has launched a consultation on changes to actuarial assumptions in valuations used in sponsor insolvencies and to determine risk-based levies.

The total funding level of the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) 7800 index has worsened for the fourth month in a row, after further gilt yield falls.

The majority of respondents in this week's Pensions Buzz agree with Neil Woodford's investment firm that de-risking has worsened scheme deficits.

The number of bulk annuity market participants is expected to rise by 57% over the next five years according to Barnett Waddingham.