RPI

Jack Jones looks at the implication for schemes of the proliferation of inflation measures produced by the ONS

The Office for National Statistics' decision to downgrade the status of the retail prices index and publish two additional inflation measures could lead to the index being dropped, warn consultants.

British Airways has seen its combined defined benefit deficit increase despite asset increases of over €2bn (£1.73bn), its final results show.

The latest set of financial results from FTSE companies has re-ignited the debate over smoothing discount rates as strong asset returns were wiped out due to falls in discount rates.

The vast majority of respondents to the National Statistician's consultation on the retail prices index called for no change because of fears over the impact of any alteration on savings.

Premier Foods will use the consumer prices index to calculate benefits in its RHM Pension Scheme following a 66% spike in overall deficits, its 2012 results show.

Scheme deficits increased significantly in January according to the latest funding survey, compounding mixed messages on the state of defined benefit funds during a month of stock market gains.

The gap between the Retail Prices Index and Consumer Prices Index widened to 0.6 percentage points in January, according to latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.

Deficits at the UK's biggest schemes rose more than 20% in January despite big gains on the stock market, according to research from Mercer.

The panel discusses the contrasting fortunes of commercial and residential property, and considers how both can help scheme liabilities.