HIGHLIGHTS
The credit crunch caused problems for businesses at the same time as the value of pension scheme assets plunged, adding ballooning defined benefit pension deficits to the woes of struggling companies.
Company insolvencies, and attempts at restructuring to avoid insolvencies, can have a significant impact on the pension schemes sponsored by those companies. The pensions issues can also act as a significant obstacle to restructuring.
Proposals issued October 2010
Confirmation given 31 January 2011
Policy statement issued May 2011
Draft guidance on the bespoke measurement of investment risk issued May 2011. Consultation ends on 24 June 2011
Consultation on the 2012/13 levy determination expected in autumn 2011
The PPF has confirmed its intention to implement a new levy framework from 2012/13. Key features of the framework confirmed in the policy statement include:
Pension Protection Fund: valuation assumptions
The PPF has consulted on changing the assumptions used for section 143 valuations (used for schemes in assessment periods) and section 179 valuations (used when setting a scheme's risk-based levy). The PPF expects that the proposed changes would increase section 143 and section 179 liabilities by just under 4% and would potentially lead to a small increase in the number of schemes transferring to the PPF.
Pension Protection Fund: insolvency risk provider
HIGHLIGHTS
The credit crunch caused problems for businesses at the same time as the value of pension scheme assets plunged, adding ballooning defined benefit pension deficits to the woes of struggling companies.
Company insolvencies, and attempts at restructuring to avoid insolvencies, can have a significant impact on the pension schemes sponsored by those companies. The pensions issues can also act as a significant obstacle to restructuring.
Proposals issued October 2010
Confirmation given 31 January 2011
Policy statement issued May 2011
Draft guidance on the bespoke measurement of investment risk issued May 2011. Consultation ends on 24 June 2011
Consultation on the 2012/13 levy determination expected in autumn 2011
The PPF has confirmed its intention to implement a new levy framework from 2012/13. Key features of the framework confirmed in the policy statement include: