Pensions - Articles - PPF- Pensions deficit cut in September

 The estimated cost of providing pensions has put some pressure on funds but collective deficit of the UK's private sector, final-salary, pension schemes improved during September.

 The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) said that the deficit of the 6,432 schemes fell from £280bn at the end of August to £229bn a month later.

 A slight pick-up in the performance of shares helped to improve the situation for schemes.

 However, the deficit remained larger than a year earlier, when it stood at £205bn.

 This was the result of a rise in the estimated costs of providing pensions.

 Some 5,248 schemes were in deficit at the end of September while 1,184 were in surplus.