uk The state of UK defined-benefit pension funds started to worsen again in August, according to the Pension Protection Fund (PPF). The shortfall in the 7,400 defined- benefit schemes, including final-salary pensions, widened from £158.1bn at the end of July to £173.2bn a month later.

The level has fluctuated in recent months but remains considerably worse than a year earlier. Many employers have closed final-salary schemes because of funding shortages.

PPF Index Sep 2009, BBC