Treasurers and pensions make uncomfortable bedfellows. Once upon a time their paths rarely crossed, and suddenly pensions are one of the biggest financial risks for many businesses. Maybe this is no coincidence...
Now companies, analysts and rating agencies recognise pensions as debt-like – with minds focused by the marking-to-market of pension liabilities. Companies' credit-worthiness has also come into sharp focus with the Pensions Regulator's interest and the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) levies.