The combined shortfall in the UK's largest pension schemes could be wiped out within three years, according to one of the first forecasts from a UK consultancy to predict an end to the country's pensions crisis.

Experts in the actuarial and investment industry have been speaking increasingly in recent months about the possibility of extra pensions payments from companies pushing schemes into surpluses. The most recent discussion document came from Aon, presenting at the National Association of Pension Funds' annual conference.