SCHEMES investing in global infrastructure funds face a dotcom-style bubble, rating agency Standard & Poor's warns.

EUROPE - The EU Commission is taking action against the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland over incorrect implementation of the Institutions for Occupational Retirement Provisions (IORPs) directive, while legal action against three countries for failure...

JAMAICA - The Jamaican government has set aside US$300m for increases in pension payouts for government employees.

SOUTH AFRICA - Old Mutual's funds under management increased by 1.8% to reach ZAR222bn (US$31.1bn) by end September 2006, as the financial services group's profits were hampered by a weak rand and US dollar.

US — More than 40% of CFOs plan to increase their focus on investor relations (IR) next year on the back of demands from institutional investors for more face time with company management teams, a Greenwich Associates study has found.

SCHEMES face massive hikes in Pension Protection Fund administration fees, PP has learned.

WINTERTHUR Life chief executive Mike Kellard is to form a new fund management business for Axa Life.

RAIL industry scheme administrator Pensions Management has branched out into third-party services with its new "rpmi" service.

JUST RETIREMENT has completed a initial public offering that values the firm at £422m.

Ministers must introduce new risk-sharing legislation to encourage the growth of good workplace pension schemes, actuaries claim.