Defined benefit schemes have become an endangered species in the private sector in recent years. But now, it seems, there is a chance the unthinkable might be about to happen and firms could start to reopen their final salary plans to new members.

EMPLOYEES will regret taking cash inducements to transfer out of final salary pension schemes, The Pensions Advisory Service warns.

ROYAL London Asset Management has launched a new ethical fixed income fund.

Traded life demand up

Independent verification of fund managers' investment performance figures should be made mandatory when global standards are reviewed in 2010, UK institutional investors believe.

Prudential has launched a new with-profits annuity product for savers with protected rights funds.

DEfINED contribution as-sets under management at Fidelity International grew by more than 25pc last year, latest figures reveal.

INVESTEC Asset Management has launched a currency fund for institutional investors - primarily pension schemes

MPs are logging on to a battle of the blogs between pensions reform minister James Purnell and Scottish Life head of pensions strategy Steve Bee.

The growing demand for complementary therapy could result in staff taking longer breaks from work, benefit providers warn.