Issue

Investment returns

8 stories · discussed at 2 council meetings · 7 councils

Local councils are currently reviewing their pension fund investment returns and funding levels, with some reporting significant surpluses.

Local councils are currently assessing their pension fund investment returns, which are the profit or loss generated from investments. Hackney Pension Fund's surplus grew to £710 million by June 2026, reaching a 140% funding level due to favourable returns, a report to the Pensions Committee said in September 2026. In contrast, Barnet Pension Fund's returns for the quarter ending June 2026 lagged its benchmark by 0.3%, achieving 5.7%, according to a September 2026 report to the Pension Fund Committee.

Hackney Pension Fund's funding level reached 138% at the 2025 valuation, a July 2026 report noted, while Hammersmith and Fulham Pension Fund achieved 113% funding by March 2025, driven by robust returns, a March 2026 actuarial valuation showed. Richmond upon Thames Council updated its treasury management strategy in February 2026 to manage the anticipated impact of falling interest rates on investment returns, proposing additional Money Market Funds, a report to the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee said.

Key facts

  1. Hackney Pension Fund's surplus reached £710 million by June 2026, with a 140% funding level. Source
  2. Barnet Pension Fund's returns for the quarter ending June 2026 lagged its benchmark by 0.3%. Source
  3. Hammersmith and Fulham Pension Fund's net assets increased by £49 million for the year ending March 2026. Source
  4. Hackney Pension Fund's funding level reached 138% at the 2025 valuation. Source
  5. Richmond upon Thames Council updated its treasury management strategy in February 2026. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Latest stories

  1. Hackney Pension Fund Surplus Grows to £710m Amid Strong Investment Returns Hackney Pension Fund surplus hits £710m as investments strengthen Hackney 26 September 2026
  2. Barnet Pension Fund Investment Returns Lag Benchmark Due to Cash Holdings Barnet Pension Fund's investment returns for the quarter ending June 30, 2026, have lagged behind their benchmark, according to a report presented to the Pension Fund Committee.... Barnet 16 September 2026
  3. Hackney Pension Fund Achieves Significant Growth and Improved Funding Level Hackney Pension Fund reports strong growth Hackney 11 July 2026
  4. Pension fund faces £49m boost from strong investment returns Pension fund boosted by £49m from strong investment returns Hammersmith and Fulham 26 June 2026
  5. Barking and Dagenham Pension Fund Value Surges to £1.5bn, Outperforming Peers The Barking and Dagenham pension fund has seen its value rise to £1.527 billion for the year ending March 31, 2025, marking a 5% increase from the previous year. This growth... Barking and Dagenham 28 March 2026
  6. H&F Pension Fund Underperforms Benchmark Despite Asset Growth and Improved Funding Level The Hammersmith and Fulham Pension Fund saw its market value grow to £1.491 billion in the quarter ending December 31, 2025, an increase of £9 million. However, the fund's... Hammersmith and Fulham 19 March 2026
  7. H&F Pension Fund Surpasses Target with 113% Funding Level Driven by Investment Returns The Hammersmith and Fulham Pension Fund has achieved a significant milestone, reaching a funding level of 113% as of March 2025, a notable increase from 105% in 2022. This... Hammersmith and Fulham 19 March 2026
  8. Richmond Council Updates Treasury Management Strategy Amid Falling Interest Rates Richmond upon Thames Council has updated its treasury management strategy to reflect the anticipated impact of falling interest rates on investment returns. The Finance, Policy... Richmond upon Thames 14 February 2026