The Purple Book

Every year we publish the pensions universe risk profile - the most comprehensive data and analysis of the UK defined benefit pension landscape.

Download The Purple Book 2022

About the data

Find out more about the schemes we protect, including scheme demographics and funding, by using the interactive graph feature or download this year’s Purple Book.

There are an estimated 5,131 defined benefit (DB) schemes in the eligible universe as at 31 March 2022, a reduction from 5,220 as at 31 March 2021. The declining universe reflects schemes winding-up, scheme mergers, and schemes entering our assessment period.

This year the dataset covers all 5,131 schemes eligible for compensation from us.

Choose and compare data

Compare up to two units of measurements at a time, by selecting up to five sets of data, to create your own downloadable graph, chart or table.

Not sure what data you want to see? Simply select one of the three preset graphs below which have been pre-populated with key sets of data.

Total assets, s179 liabilities and aggregate s179 funding ratio by year

The aggregate s179 funding ratio improved by 10.3 percentage points over the year to 31 March 2022 to a record high of 113.1 per cent.

Distribution of schemes by scheme status and year

The gradual trend of schemes already closed to new members also closing to new benefit accrual has continued, with this status now covering more than 50 per cent of schemes for the first time (51 per cent).

Distribution of s179 funding ratios by size of scheme membership as at 31 March 2022

The best funded schemes were the smallest, with an aggregate s179 funding ratio of 119.2 per cent for schemes with fewer than 100 members.