A “Brexit bonus” has seen payouts to BBC staff increased by as much as £240,000 as pension pots are topped up to cover falling returns on investments.

Staff at some charities are also among those reaping the rewards from pension reforms introduced last year.

While many pension schemes have reduced the level of their payouts due to a lack of funding, members of a gold-plated “defined benefit scheme” are benefiting from record low interest rates after the Brexit vote.

In these schemes the employer takes on the risk of investments underperforming, so as gilt yields fall they need to set aside larger pots.

Under reforms brought in 18 months ago, members can demand to receive this as cash at 55 if they comply with official rules.