Pensions - Articles - Zombie firms with DB Pension Schemes may have no way out


Further analysis from KPMG UK finds that a fifth of so-called ‘zombie firms’ have defined benefit pension (DB) schemes which could put pension trustees and sponsors in a precarious position.

 Of the circa 21,000 UK private companies that KPMG analysed, up to one in twelve (8%) currently display three of more zombie-like symptoms – companies under sustained financial strain.

 Out of this population KPMG estimates that a fifth (or around 350 companies) will have DB pension schemes. In many of these cases adequately funding the pension scheme and turning round the business is a significant challenge.

 Mike Smedley, Pensions Partner at KPMG said: “It’s clear that DB schemes that are less well-funded and attached to a zombie firm face challenges and will be more susceptible to external risks. Whether it’s change in the economic or political landscape or new regulation, companies and trustees need to avoid sleep walking into further danger.

 “The health of pension schemes and sponsors in these situations are entwined, and there’s a real risk of a prisoner’s dilemma situation of second-guessing what others might do. Trustees, sponsors and their associated stakeholders and regulators need to work together to resolve these situations fairly.”

 David Clarke, Restructuring Pensions Partner at KPMG said: “Zombie firms do pose a risk to the wider economy and difficulty in dealing with a large DB scheme deficit can be a crystallising event for the company.

 “However, even in these difficult situations, there are always options if the parties engage early on in the process. Development of a joint company or trustee strategy will enable the company to take advantage of the flexibilities in the pensions system, whilst protecting scheme members and providing upside for scheme funding over the longer term. Whilst such solutions can be challenging to agree, they protect the company, jobs and members’ pension benefits.”
  

 Zombie Firms

Back to Index


Similar News to this Story

FCA on connecting consumers products and growth
At a time when increasing pensions contributions substantially is out of the question or insufficient for many, we must focus instead on how to improv
AI is changing pensions admin but still has a long way to go
Trafalgar House has announced the first results of their 2025 Trust & Confidence Index showing that whilst AI is beginning to play an important role i
4 key findings about the state pension ahead of the increase
Ahead of the 4.1% increase to the state pension (from 6th April), Phoenix Insights shares its four key findings about the state pension.

Site Search

Exact   Any  

Latest Actuarial Jobs

Actuarial Login

Email
Password
 Jobseeker    Client
Reminder Logon

APA Sponsors

Actuarial Jobs & News Feeds

Jobs RSS News RSS

WikiActuary

Be the first to contribute to our definitive actuarial reference forum. Built by actuaries for actuaries.