Scheme closures

Standard Life has announced it is closing its defined benefit scheme - currently used by 55% of its employees - to future accrual from April 2016.

Premier Foods will reduce cash payments to its pension schemes by £161m over the next six years as part of a capital restructuring programme, it confirmed today.

Ryanair has closed its defined benefit (DB) scheme to existing members after paying in €12.5m (£10.4m) to plug its deficit.

Wincanton is closing its defined benefit (DB) schemes to existing members, 11 years after shutting its doors to new members.

Premier Foods has closed its defined benefit scheme to existing members, the company has announced.

The 600 Group has closed its UK defined benefit scheme to future accrual and said it does not expect to make significant contributions to it in foreseeable future.

Home Retail Group has closed its defined benefit scheme to existing members after its latest triennial valuation revealed a £158m deficit.

Intercontinental Hotel Group has agreed to contribute an additional £45m to its UK defined benefit scheme over the next two years.

RM intends to more than double deficit contributions to its defined benefit scheme after closing it to future accrual later this year.

House of Fraser has closed its defined benefit pension schemes to future accrual after the shortfall in the two funds shot up by more than £50m last year.