LONDON, 12 May 2008 – The insurance buyout market for defined benefit (DB) pension schemes has seen a second successive strong quarter, according to Aon Consulting, a leading pension, benefits and HR consulting firm. The total value of the market reached £2.2 billion in the first quarter of 2008, £350 million more than the record-breaking fourth quarter of 2007.

In its latest quarterly buyout market survey, Aon’s research shows that over the first quarter of 2008 there was significant growth in the value of business placed. This included high profile cases such as TI, Morgan Crucible, Powell Duffryn and the largest deal so far this year, Rank (£700 million).

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