DB closures pick up pace as PPF records another fall in open schemes

10.5 million private sector DB members

clock • 2 min read

Just 12% of private sector defined benefit (DB) schemes remain open to new members, according to the Pension Protection Fund (PPF).

Meanwhile, just 39% remain open to future accrual, the lifeboat fund's Purple Book 2017 revealed - three percentage points down from the 2016 and the steepest fall since 2013 when there was a four percentage point fall in the number open to accrual. These 39% of schemes represent around 24% of all 10.5 million private sector DB members, with another 55% in schemes which remain open to new members. Larger schemes were most likely to be open to new members, with 19% of schemes with 10,000 or more members or between 5,000 and 9,999 members still accepting new recruits. Meanwhile, 61% ...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Retirement

Millions make retirement trade-offs to fund children and grandchildren's university costs

Millions make retirement trade-offs to fund children and grandchildren's university costs

Includes many delaying retirement

Jen Frost
clock 03 June 2026 • 3 min read
Watch PA's Working Lunch with L&G: Navigating the new landscape of retirement solutions

Watch PA's Working Lunch with L&G: Navigating the new landscape of retirement solutions

Catch up on the discussion

Professional Adviser
clock 09 April 2026 • 1 min read
The changing nature of retirement planning

The changing nature of retirement planning

Retirement planning conversations must 'evolve'

Lorna Shah
clock 02 April 2026 • 4 min read