Round up - July 7

Pensions minister steps into row over ASB proposals

Daily Telegraph

The department for work and pensions is to intervene in a row about how companies record pension schemes on their balance sheets.

Pensions minister Mike O'Brien said he would make "representations" to the Accounting Standards Board after leading City figures complained the changes could lead to the death knell for defined benefits schemes.

Pension funds switch from equity

The Guardian

Nearly half of the UK pension schemes have moved out of equities and into bonds over the past 12 months, as stock market conditions have worsened.

A report by Aon Consulting said 46pc of UK pension funds have increased their weighting in bonds, and lowered their equity position.

Private equity firms say pension reforms will hit economy

The Telegraph

The British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association say that the government’s plans to hand more powers to the pension regulator undermine the UK’s economy at a time when it is already slowing down.

Research sheds light on how to diversify

Financial Times

Many pension funds are looking at alternative asset classes to improve their funding and lower risk reveals Cass Business School.