UK final salary pension schemes have seen their worst decline in six years, with deficits now totaling £242 billion.

According to the Pension Protection Fund (PPF), final salary schemes are in the red to the tune of £242 billion, compared to £205 billion at the end of February – the worst deficit since PPF records began in March 2003.

The widening gap comes despite scheme investments rising by £25 billion because, at the same time, liabilities rose by £62 billion. This was a result of declining gilt yields, a direct consequence of quantitative easing.

For final salary members, the scheme deficit does not actually have any direct impact unless the employer becomes insolvent, in which case, some compensation should be available from the PPF.

But with 90 per cent of schemes now in deficit, and a difficult trading environment, it seems inevitable that more people will end up being paid their pension by the PPF. While the PPF is a very welcome safety net indeed, falling into it does mean that some members lose significant benefits.
 
Laith Khalaf, pensions analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, says, ‘Increasing pension deficits do not have an immediate effect on the benefits of members, but they do have cost implications for employers which may ultimately be passed on to the workforce.

‘It is probable that we will continue to see scheme closures as employers look to reduce their pension commitments; we are also likely to see more scheme failures as the year progresses. This will put more and more emphasis on defined contribution pensions in the future, where members have to take responsibility for their own investment risks.’

For those that have already retired, the PPF will guarantee 100 per cent of your benefits without limit.

However the PPF will not index-link benefits earned before 1997. If your entire pension was built up prior to this you will receive a level payment for the rest of your life.

For someone who has just retired at 65 on a £20,000 pension, over his lifetime this could amount to lost income totalling £154,000 (assuming inflation runs at three per cent). Benefits built up after 1997 are index-linked but subject to a 2.5 per cent annual cap.

If you haven’t reached retirement, then the PPF guarantees 90 per cent of the benefits that you have built up, but to a maximum of £28,743 at age 65. Again, once in payment, compensation will not be index-linked for any benefits earned before 1997; benefits earned after this date will be index-linked to a maximum of 2.5 per cent per year.

Tom McPhail, head of pensions research at Hargreaves Lansdown, adds, ‘What all this boils down to is a very simple and important message for all workers – you need to spend less and save more.’