Pensions warning as mortality rate improves

The mortality rate in England and Wales continued to improve last year, prompting actuaries to warn of a knock-on effect on pensions.

The number of deaths fell to 484,000 in 2011, the third year in a row they were below 500,000, figures from the Office for National Statistics show.

Actuaries Punter Southall said falling death rates would make it more expensive to fund pension schemes.

Head of mortality research, Ross Matthews, said: "If the 2011 fall in mortality rates continued, a man of 65 retiring today could expect to live to 91, three years longer than the typical current estimate of 88."

"A 45-year-old would live to 95, seven years longer. This equates to an increase of up to 15% on pension scheme liabilities, potentially driving deficits by up to 50%".

But others warned death rates could be volatile from year to year.