UK - Abolishing contracting out for final salary schemes could eventually lead to a higher universal state pension, an analyst says.

News that the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global lost €1.1bn on its 1.75% stake in BP has highlighted the potential impact faced by UK schemes, FairPensions says.

UK - News that the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global lost €1.1bn on its 1.75% stake in BP has highlighted the potential impact faced by UK schemes, FairPensions says.

UK - A record £12.5bn ($20bn) risk transfer deals were done in the first half of the year and a quarter of major firms will de-risk by 2012, Hymans Robertson predicts.

A record £12.5bn risk transfer deals were done in the first half of the year and a quarter of major firms will de-risk by 2012, Hymans Robertson predicts.

Schemes that have bought out member benefits to Pension Protection Fund levels are still being forced to pay the lifeboat's levy despite posing it no threat, a lawyer says.

HR Trustees has appointed Giles Payne as a director of the company.

UK - FTSE100 companies dramatically upped pension contributions last year to a record £17.5bn ($27.8bn), data from Lane Clark & Peacock reveals.

FTSE100 companies dramatically upped pension contributions last year to a record £17.5bn, data from LCP reveals.

The government should reform the current contracting out rules which give an unfair advantage to public sector workers and employers, Ros Altmann says.