Scheme deficits within the Pension Protection Fund's (PPF) 7800 index have decreased by £71.1bn over May, according to its latest research.
The combined deficit of the 6,316 schemes in the PPF 7800 index now stands at £185.5bn.
Total scheme liabilities within the index decreased by 5.2% to £1,315.4bn at the end of May 2013, reflecting higher nominal and index-linked gilt yields, the PPF said.
Over the month, 15-year gilt yields rose by 36 basis points and 15-year index-linked gilt yields rose by 16 basis points.
The total scheme assets amounted to £1,129.9bn over May and remained broadly unchanged, with equity markets rising but bond prices falling.
The PPF noted that there were 4,885 schemes in deficit and 1,431 schemes in surplus by the end of May.
First published 12.06.2013
monique_simpson@wilmington.co.uk
