Surge in firms using assets to fund pension schemes

Some 321 companies with defined benefit pension schemes have now used some form of asset to either fund or improve security for the scheme, up from 21 in the space of four years.

Brian Peters, pensions partner at PwC, commented:

"In three to four years the use of corporate assets to help repair pension deficits has gone from being almost unheard of. to a widely accepted cash alternative.

"In some ways there has been little choice: reduced corporate liquidity has made it difficult for firms to meet increasingly tough funding targets.

"But it seems there's a growing acceptance that these structures are positive for corporates, trustees and scheme members alike. We expect the trend to continue while cash is under strain.

"While property is the most common asset used, anything that has a tangible value can theoretically be involved. We're seeing deals using investments, unpaid debts, brands and copyrights, to name a few."