The bulk annuity buyout market has failed to take off - despite new providers - because company share prices are unaffected by pension liabilities, research claims.

CANADA - A consortium of Canadian pension funds began buy-out talks with Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE), the country's largest communications company.

Trustees have been told a member must receive benefits set out in the scheme booklet - even though he knew they had been changed.

JPMORGAN Asset Management has launched a range of pooled liability driven investment funds for UK pension schemes.

ROWANMOOR Pensions has launched an improved website for clients and independent financial advisors.

MORE than 190 firms applied for self-invested personal pension authorisation from the Financial Services Authority before the April 6 deadline.

UK- Pensions Investment Research Consultants (PIRC) has blasted board directors for not attending meetings and called for their salaries to be cut.

GREECE -The government defended the nation's public pension funds performance against allegations of early bond liquidation to cover current liabilities.

US - The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) has added Morocco to its list of permissible emerging markets for public equity investments based on a Wilshire Associates report reviewing 27 countries.

NEW BRIDGE Street Consultants is set to transfer their pension actuarial and consultancy services to Barnett Waddingham.