Independent financial advisers are indispensable to small and medium-sized schemes, who rely on them ...

UK - ABN AMRO Asset Management has appointed Fidelity's Anne-Sophie Girault as a global product specialist on the back of increased demand for its absolute return products.

SOUTH AFRICA - Sanlam Investment Management (SIM) has stated the Public Investment Corporation's (PIC) withdrawal of ZAR22bn (US$3.1bn) in assets from the fund manager would not have a material impact on its operating results and claimed it would claw...

ANNUITY forum CHAIRMAN Billy Burrows Director of annuities Aspen Burrows first became involved wi...

US - The debt riddled Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp (PBGC) will next year increase the maximum annual benefit for plans by 3.9% to US$49 500.

NETHERLANDS - The new Pensions Act that will force pension funds to comply with stricter regulation as of 1 January 2007 has been passed by the Dutch upper house.

UK - Amendments to FRS 17 requiring disclosure of mortality rate assumptions will put pressure on pension schemes with varying assumptions to either justify their decision or "level up" and improve their funding levels, according to an industry expert....

Keeping the operating costs of occupational pension schemes as low as possible without compromising q...

GLOBAL - Investment consultants lack skills in some of the niche investment areas, opening the door for investment banks and asset managers to offer "zero-fee" consulting services directly to pension funds, some industry players have claimed.

THE ACCOUNTING Standards Board has formally published amendments to pensions accounting standard FRS17 that will bring it more in line with international conventions.