The total deficit of FTSE 250 pension schemes is estimated to have been £9bn at 30 June 2012, a deterioration of £3bn from the same point 12 months ago, JLT Pension Capital Strategies has revealed.

In order to attempt to counter this, FTSE 250 companies increased their deficit funding from £1.3bn to £1.5bn.

Changes to the average pension fund’s asset allocation have also been made, with allocation to fixed interest (bonds) growing from 50 per cent to 54 per cent. This is compared to 48 per cent in 2010 and 42 per cent in 2008.

JLT Pension Capital Strategies managing director Charles Cowling said: “With year-on-year pension deficits continuing to grow, by as much as 50 per cent in aggregate according to our research, the problems of ensuring adequate pension provision for employees remain for FTSE 250 companies.

“Indeed, there are several instances where this problem appears to be potentially severe. 19 FTSE 250 companies have total disclosed pension liabilities greater than their equity market value; 4 of these have liabilities which are more than triple their market capitalisation.”

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