Pension Funding in the UK - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
London, United Kingdom
Last Updated: January 2024
SIC K65.300Revenue
£133.6bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
£XX.Xbn
Employees
35,975
Businesses
57,771
Wages
£X.Xbn
Pension Funding in the UK industry analysis
Pension funds are undergoing a period of change. The past decade has marked a shift from defined benefit (DB) to defined contribution (DC) schemes dominating the industry, due to the financial burden DB schemes place on employers. Growing longevity risk, stemming from rising life expectancy has also been a contributing factor. Revenue is expected to fall by 5.7% over the five years through 2023-24 to £113.6 billion, including estimated growth of 5% in 2023-24, while the average industry profit margin is anticipated to be 29.4%.
Trends and Insights
- COVID-19 rattles equity markets. It caused extensive pension fund losses in 2020-21, but the market’s recovery has driven investment income from equity back up.
- Defined contribution schemes dominate. More and more companies are moving away from defined benefit to defined contribution pension schemes to cut costs and minimise risk.
- London is the UK's epicentre for pension funds. Its prominent financial position attracts top-tier investment managers and insurers, while the city's population density appeals to most UK pension members.
- Pension funds focus on returns, offerings and compliance. They strive to optimise investment returns, diversify pension schemes and rigorously follow regulations to outperform competitors and appeal to potential investors.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 5.7 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £133.6bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
The anticipated end of interest rate hikes spurs investment markets
- Rising interest rates amid the inflationary environment plagued financial markets in the two years through 2023, hitting both bond and stock markets. This resulted in the inverse relationship traditionally seen between the two asset classes deteriorating.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Pension contributions will continue to grow as the cost of living crisis subsides
- Pension contributions will continue to play a major role in determining pension fund revenue as the number of employees enrolled in pensions grows.
Biggest companies in the Pension Funding in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue (£m)
2024 |
|---|---|---|
The Universities Superannuation Scheme | 4,393.6 | |
BT Pension Scheme | 2,271.4 | |
Electricity Supply Pension Scheme | 2,203.1 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Defined benefit schemes and Defined contribution schemes. Defined benefit schemes is the largest segment of the Pension Funding in the UK.
Trends and Insights
Defined contribution schemes' low costs prove enticing for employers
- Defined contribution (DC) schemes are pension arrangements where an employee and employer will pay into a pot – the final amount varies depending on total contributions and the scheme's investment performance.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Investment Trusts in the UK
- Property Unit Trusts in the UK
- Life Insurance in the UK
- Fund Management Activities in the UK
Complementors
- There are no industries to display.
International industries
- Global Pension Funds
- Retirement & Pension Plans in the US
- Superannuation Funds in Australia
- Superannuation Funds in New Zealand
- Pension Funding in Ireland
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The Pension Funding industry provides retirement benefits for people no longer earning an income. The industry includes both occupational and personal pension schemes. State pensions are excluded from this industry.
What's included in this industry?
Defined benefit schemesDefined contribution schemesCompanies
The Universities Superannuation SchemeBT Pension SchemeElectricity Supply Pension SchemePurchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
DEFINED BENEFIT SCHEMEDEFINED CONTRIBUTION SCHEMEBENEFITCONTRIBUTIONASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT (AUM)Industry Code
SIC 65.30 - Pension Funding in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
COVID-19 rattles equity markets. It caused extensive pension fund losses in 2020-21, but the market’s recovery has driven investment income from equity back up.
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Defined contribution schemes dominate. More and more companies are moving away from defined benefit to defined contribution pension schemes to cut costs and minimise risk.
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
London is the UK's epicentre for pension funds. Its prominent financial position attracts top-tier investment managers and insurers, while the city's population density appea...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Pension funds focus on returns, offerings and compliance. They strive to optimise investment returns, diversify pension schemes and rigorously follow regulations to outperfor...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
No one pension fund dominates the market. Automatic enrolment has further fragmented the industry by increasing the size of smaller funds, offsetting the gains made by the la...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of The Universities Superannuation Scheme's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of BT Pension Scheme's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Electricity Supply Pension Scheme's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for The Universities Superannuation Scheme, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for BT Pension Scheme, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Electricity Supply Pension Scheme, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The Pension Schemes Act can regularly change. It consolidates all the regulation related to pension funds into one document, which is regularly updated with new requirements.
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Returns come under huge pressure. After absorbing the COVID-19 hit, the gilt crisis caused significant losses – the loss of assets managed by far outweighed investment gains ...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2018-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2018-2022)
- Assets (2018-2022)
- Liabilities (2018-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Pension Funding in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?
The market size of the Pension Funding in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £133.6bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Pension Funding in the UK industry in 2024?
There are 57,771 businesses in the Pension Funding in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.9 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Pension Funding in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Pension Funding in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been declining at a CAGR of 5.7 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Pension Funding in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Pension Funding in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Pension Funding in the UK market in United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Pension Funding market in United Kingdom are The Universities Superannuation Scheme, BT Pension Scheme and Electricity Supply Pension Scheme
What does the Pension Funding in the UK in United Kingdom include?
Defined benefit schemes and Defined contribution schemes are part of the Pension Funding in the UK industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Pension Funding in the UK in United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is The Universities Superannuation Scheme.
How competitive is the Pension Funding in the UK industry in United Kingdom?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Pension Funding in the UK industry in United Kingdom.
