U.S.-based Eastman Kodak Co. transferred approximately $1.8 billion of Kodak Retirement Income Plan obligations to Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company via a nonparticipating single premium group annuity contract. This transaction will cover around 27,000 participants. The plan will be terminated and deferred vested participants will receive $76 million lump-sum payments and active participants will receive $157 million. Any remaining liabilities will be transferred to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/31235/000119312525241430/kodk-20251014.htm [Source: MSN]
In August 2025 Aviva finalized a £160 million bulk purchase annuity (BPA) buy-in with the SG Pension Fund, securing the benefits of more than 1,900 members, whose scheme sponsor is Portakabin Limited. The deal enables some scheme members to continue accessing their Additional Voluntary Contribution funds as a primary source of tax-free cash, facilitated by Aviva’s integrated DB&C policy. [Source: Aviva]
The Amtico Company Pension Scheme has completed a £52 million full buy-in with Standard Life, securing the benefits of 425 members. The transaction was finalized in August 2025. Notably, members with both defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) pensions will retain their links between the two types. [Source: PensionsAge]
The BP Pension Fund has secured a £1.6 billion buy-in with Legal & General (L&G) in its first major de-risking transaction, aiming to improve the security of members’ benefits. The deal included a gilt-based price lock for greater certainty amid market volatility. However, the BP Pensioner Group expressed disappointment, highlighting past pension increases not keeping pace with inflation and a real-terms pension erosion of 11% over two years. The group also warned that buy-in deals often precede full buyouts and urged trustees to fully inform members, with the dispute set to be brought before the pensions ombudsman soon. [Source: PensionsAge]
Chief Investment Officer (CIO) reported that a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by former General Electric (GE) employees who challenged GE’s 2020 decision to transfer $1.7 billion in pension obligations to Athene Annuity Life Co., arguing the firm was not the safest annuity provider and that the transfer devalued promised benefits. The court ruled the plaintiffs lacked standing under federal law, noting they suffered no “injury in fact” since they continued to receive their entitled payments and had no claim to the pension plan’s assets beyond their vested benefits. The judge also found that loss of legal protections under ERISA and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation was not a sufficient legal injury, since ERISA specifically permits pension risk transfers. The case was dismissed without prejudice, allowing plaintiffs to refile if they can demonstrate concrete harm in court. [Source: CIO]