Pension funds could significantly diversify their portfolios without reducing returns by investing directly in natural resources, energy infrastructure and commercial real estate according to research from a think tank.

Investing in communication improves employees' engagement with pensions and ultimately increases incomes in retirement, according to an academic study.

Jack Jones looks at the chain of events which led to the UK Coal scheme entering the Pension Protection Fund last week

This week respondents explain why contract-based schemes need an extra layer of governance, dispute the link between asset management fees and performance, and say the industry should stop moaning about pot follows member.

Just three out of ten contributors said trustees always performed the necessary due diligence before signing anything off, although two thirds said this was the case always or most of the time.

The majority of respondents think it is time to stop whinging about pot follows members and get on with it, but a third thinks that if the industry is going to be dragged down that road it should go kicking and screaming.

Just one in four respondents believe the pensions industry lobbies government effectively, while three out of five feel we could do better.

Buzz respondents are sceptical of the link between fees and performance from asset managers, by and large.

Pensions Buzz respondents have thrown their respective bulk behind calls for an extra layer of governance in contract-based schemes.

Stamford Associates and Xafinity have teamed up to launch an investment consulting service that integrates asset and liability management.