Low governance levels among companies could lead to the next financial crisis, Treasury financial services secretary Paul Myners says.

The Pensions Regulator has launched a campaign to foster good governance and administration, as well as better management of pension scheme risks.

Companies should adopt proactive policies to keep employees in work for longer, as increasing longevity places pressure on schemes, delegates heard.

Companies under pressure from the economic environment are increasingly looking to outsource pensions administration to reduce costs, Mercer says.

GLOBAL - An industry working party will be created, to assess the feasibility of extending the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS) to include transitions, according to Paradigm Investment founder Colin Morrison.

EUROPE - Pension deficits in UK banks and Europe's largest listed companies have been underestimated by €300bn (US$449.1bn) in their last full year reports, AlphaValue research revealed.

Pension deficits in UK banks and Europe's largest listed companies have been underestimated by €300bn (£268bn) in their last full year reports, AlphaValue research reveals.

Four-fifths of scheme managers and trustees believe sustainability issues will be an important factor in the performance of property portfolios over the next five years, latest research shows.

UK - British Telecom's pension deficit of £6.8bn (US$11.2bn) could affect the wholesale prices charged to its competitors, following a review to be undertaken by Ofcom.

BT's pension deficit of £6.8bn could affect the wholesale prices charged to its competitors, following a review to be undertaken by Ofcom.