More final-salary pension schemes will close in the next five years, the National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF) has warned.

According to a survey of 369 private-sector pension schemes, just 31% of existing final-salary plans remain open to new members with 15% of these expecting to change this policy in the next five years.

An additional 6% of all final-salary schemes will close to all members in that timeframe, the research added.

The organisation also warned that many companies would struggle to meet their pension obligations in the wake of a tougher economic climate.

"While the overall picture shows that the pensions landscape is stable, the operating environment for occupational pensions is tough and likely to get tougher," warned NAPF chief executive Joanne Segars.