Huge deficits mean around 600 pension funds are certain to collapse in the next decade, according to the Pensions Institute at Cass Business School. It says another 400 are also at risk. These funds have combined deficits of around £45 billion, a figure which could potentially overwhelm the PPF rescue fund.
Britain’s blue chips are dishing out billions more in dividends to shareholders despite a crisis in their pension funds. One investment group analysis shows that 54 companies in the FTSE 100 index have handed out £48billion to investors in the last two years despite having a £52 billion pension black hole.
Another commentator said that insufficient contributions to pension funds could leave companies with hefty liabilities which could drag on future performance and, ultimately, lead to staff receiving lower pensions if the business runs in to difficulties and enters administration.
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recently that the new pension freedoms are not that easy to take advantage of. Savers looking to move their funds from an under-performing pension often find that there is a high price to pay for the privilege. All too many fund managers slap hefty charges on disgruntled customers looking to make a getaway, in the shape of exit fees. These can eat up as much as five or ten per cent of your pension and also prevent many savers from taking advantage of new pension freedoms. 
Great news for the clients of expat financial services: the government has announced proposals to abolish the 15-year time limit on the right of expats to participate in UK general elections.