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On February 27, 2018, the United States Supreme Court resolved a circuit split regarding the proper application of the safe harbor set forth in section 546(e) of the Bankruptcy Code, a provision that prohibits the avoidance of a transfer if the transfer was made in connection with a securities contract and made by or to (or for the benefit of) certain qualified entities, including a financial institution.

The Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently held that section 1129(a)(10) of the Bankruptcy Code – a provision which, in effect, prohibits confirmation of a plan unless the plan has been accepted by at least one impaired class of claims – applies on “per plan” rather than a “per debtor” basis, even when the plan at issue covers multiple debtors. In re Transwest Resort Properties, Inc., 2018 WL 615431 (9th Cir. Jan. 25, 2018). The Court is the first circuit court to address the issue.

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Draft guidance on the bespoke measurement of investment risk issued May 2011.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: