FTSE 100 could clear DB deficits by 2012

In its latest Accounting for Pensions Survey, the actuarial consulting firm says although the total deficit of defined benefit (DB) pension schemes in the FTSE 100 is around £36bn, the same figure as last year, extra contributions by companies are making a difference. The report reveals contributions have risen to record levels at £12.1bn for 2005, up 12% on the previous year, with the highest contributions paid by HSBC, at £1.3bn, while Royal Dutch Shell paid in £702m, and eight companies paid more into their pension schemes than to their shareholders. But despite the lack of progress ...