FTSE

Total deficits of defined benefit (DB) schemes in the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) 7800 increased by more than a third over last month against a backdrop of falling gilt yields.

Industry experts are busy putting together their predictions for how 2016 is likely to pan out. However, Anne Ford says caution is needed.

This week in pensions speculation was rife over tax relief reforms, the chancellor announced a cap on exit fees, and DB was set to vanish from the FTSE 250 within a year.

PP considers how big a risk this is for schemes and how they can manage it

PP asks if schemes should be worried about big surges in volatility

The FTSE 100 was down 3% this morning to 5,913, after turmoil in China overnight saw trading suspended after just 30 minutes.

The euro shot up against all major currencies after the European Central Bank (ECB) cut deposit rates to -0.3% and extended its asset purchasing programme.

IFS Proshare head Gabbi Stopp has warned that employers with share schemes need to continue promoting the benefits of their plans.

Risk assets have regained some ground but equities remain deep in the red after a tumultuous weekend in Greece saw it impose capital controls after calling a surprise referendum over creditors' final bailout demands.

The bias of UK schemes to domestic equities cost them around 2% in lost returns last year, according to research from Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM).