Defined benefit
In-depth reporting on defined benefit (DB) pensions for our pension fund and asset management readers from IPE’s award-winning journalists
-
NewsVatican bank boosted by pension fund gains as net assets rise to €815m
Improved pension fund reserves and investment gains helped drive Vatican bank profitability and net assets higher
-
NewsGerman pension sector weighs in on proposed IORP II overhaul
German industry, government and supervisors warn proposed IORP II changes risk undermining occupational pension provision
-
NewsUK regulator targets DB, hybrid schemes over dashboards data preparedness
TPR warns DB schemes’ inaccurate value data could undermine pensions dashboards ahead of October connection deadline
-
NewsBabcock Pensionskasse adopts defensive strategy amid solvency pressures
German pension fund de-risks portfolio, reduces alternatives and focuses on euro-denominated fixed income investments
-
NewsUK pension professionals call for debate on lifeboat fund surplus use
Society of Pension Professionals urges consultation on future use of Pension Protection Fund’s £14bn reserve surplus
-
NewsRun-on momentum builds as XPS unveils integrated scheme solution
Defined benefit pension funds accelerate run-on planning as XPS launches integrated solution ahead of surplus regime changes
-
AnalysisIPE UK Briefing: Pensions Schemes Bill debate concludes
Plus: Tougher insurer capital rules; a £480bn powerhouse; a £450m direct lending mandate
-
NewsValuations increasingly become ‘strategic tool’ in UK endgame planning
Analysis from the UK’s pensions regulator shows aggregate funding reached 124% as at 31 December 2025
-
NewsGerman dental pension fund faces legal claims amid restructuring disputes
Damage claims emerge from hotel and asset manager investments, deepening scrutiny of VZB’s strategy
-
NewsBakkavor pension fund completes £160m buy-in with Rothesay
The transaction secures the pension benefits for all 2,216 pension fund members
-
NewsPension reform drive gathers pace as Bill receives Royal Assent
Bill becomes law after long parliamentary battle, with key powers scaled back and implementation now crucial
-
NewsUK regulator targets funded reinsurance with tougher insurer capital rules
Prudential Regulation Authority raises capital requirements for funded reinsurance, aiming to curb risk and strengthen insurer resilience
-
NewsMercer helps German corporates reshape pensions with buyout focus
The consultancy is advising German corporates on pension redesigns, CTAs and buyout pathways amid rising de-risking activity
-
NewsDutch pooled pension schemes HNPF and Stap to merge into €18bn fund
The duo plans to merge in 2027, creating a combined €18bn vehicle with more than 150,000 participants
-
NewsLower funding ratios for Dutch pension funds as Iran War bites
Dutch pension funds see Q1 funding setbacks as markets reel from Hormuz tensions
-
NewsDutch pension funds hedge equity exposure in run-up to Iran war
Pension funds Foodservice, DHL and Gasunie hedge equities ahead of DC transition in the Netherlands, but strategies diverge sharply amid geopolitical volatility
-
NewsSwiss supervisor puts pension fund under WTW administration
Tellco said the move was necessary due to ongoing disputes between members of the board of trustees
-
Opinion PiecesEfforts to raise trustee standards must preserve what works
Morten Nilsson of Brightwell Pensions on avoiding the onerous requirements that could further shrink the pool of lay trustees
-
AnalysisL&G dominates UK pension risk transfer market with 27% share
The UK PRT market has reached a record-breaking 367 buy-ins totalling £38.2bn in 2025
-
NewsDAX firms push fully funded pensions despite regulatory complexity
German corporates increasingly fund pension liabilities fully, strengthening governance, reducing risk, and supporting profitability amid regulation
