Its seems odd that i could claim benefits but not the pension but i dont claim choosing instead to live on my small income and savings. I could sell the house which is paid and im single. I did wonder if he had considered the capital in the house .
The benefits and DB pension are treated separately until you draw the pension which then becomes income.
Most companies are rather keen to divest themselves of the DB responsibilities. Mine closed its DB scheme to new and existing employees and forced us into a DC scheme. The onus on the investment and thus returns are then with the employee not the company.
I would rather retain the roof over my head rather than convert it into cash which would have to be spent on rent and living expanses as there equation on how long it would last would be a difficult one!