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.
A note on updates since The Purple Book 2023:
There are two large differences to some of the figures presented in The Purple Book 2024 compared to The Purple Book 2023 as published. The main update is to the methodology we’ve used to roll forward the assets and liabilities. We now use more granular asset allocation data collected in annual scheme returns by the Pensions Regulator (TPR), applying a wider range of relevant market indices in our asset roll-forward calculations. In addition, where previously we did not take account of cashflows in and out of schemes – particularly benefit payments – our calculations now include estimates of these. These changes were part of ongoing improvements to our estimation methods for the universe’s funding levels - both s179 and buy-out funding levels. Chapter 04 (Scheme funding) and the appendix of The Purple Book 2024 give more details.
The other update is to scheme status data. Where presented in The Purple Book 2024, this is as usual based on the data reported to TPR in the scheme returns, but it now follows TPR’s new enhanced analysis of scheme status data submitted. This was not used in the data featured in The Purple Book 2023. Chapter 03 (Scheme demographics) and the appendix of The Purple Book 2024 give more details.
This means that some figures for 2023 and 2024 are not directly comparable with those from earlier years.
In the yearly charts below, a green vertical line separates 2022 and 2023 to show where the update has been made, but not all of the items it is possible to select have needed restating from 2023 – number of schemes, for example.
The aggregate s179 funding ratio improved by three percentage points over the year to 31 March 2024, to 123.1 per cent. The deficit of schemes in deficit improved from £34.9 billion to £20.9 billion.
Figures for 2024 and 2023 – which we have restated – are based on our updated roll-forward methodology. See the pink box at the top of this page for more information.
In the chart, a green vertical line separates 2022 and 2023 to show where the update has been made.
The trend of schemes closing to benefit accrual has continued, with this status now covering nearly 75 per cent of schemes.
Figures for 2024 and 2023 – which we have restated – are based on TPR’s enhanced validation of scheme status data. See the pink box at the top of this page for more information.
In the chart, a green vertical line separates 2022 and 2023 to show where the update has been made.
The best funded schemes sit at opposite ends of the size spectrum. An aggregate s179 funding ratio of 125.7 per cent for schemes with more than 10,000 members and 129.9 per cent for schemes with fewer than 100 members.
Figures for 2024 are based on our updated roll-forward methodology. See the pink box at the top of this page for more information.
Currently plotting
A maximum of five datasets can be plotted to the chart at a time. If you select a sixth one, the first dataset you selected will be replaced.
