Since July 2007 the Pension Protection Fund has published the latest estimated funding position, on a s179 basis, for the defined benefit schemes in its eligible universe.
The PPF 7800 index is published on the second Tuesday of every month.
The Pension Protection Fund (Revaluation Amendments) Regulations 2011 came into effect on 31 March 2011 which means that CPI rather than RPI will be used to revalue relevant payments made by the PPF. The Board of the PPF has accordingly reviewed the level of pricing in the bulk annuity market and has consulted on the changes to the assumptions to be used for valuations under s179 with an effective date after 31 March 2011 in order to better reflect the current level of pricing. The new basis of valuation will be reflected in the PPF 7800 index for end April 2011 published on 10 May.
The PPF and Pensions Regulator jointly publish The Purple Book each year.
May 2012 - Highlights
• The aggregate deficit of the 6,432 schemes in the PPF 7800 index is estimated to have increased over the month to £216.8 billion at the end of April 2012, from a deficit of £206.2 billion at the end of March.
• The funding ratio decreased from 83.4 per cent to 82.6 per cent.
• Total assets were £1031.4 billion and total liabilities were £1248.2 billion.
• There were 5,228 schemes in deficit and 1,204 schemes in surplus.