AON CONSULTING is merging its group risk, healthcare, flexible benefits and insured defined contribution businesses into a new benefits solutions arm.

INSURER ACE European Group is backing calls for trustee liability insurance to be made mandatory.

PROVISIONS in the new Companies Bill could place "unnecessary and costly" burdens on pension funds, Watson Wyatt says.

WATSON WYATT has appointed Adrian Bourne as a senior consultant in its benefits practice.

STANDARD Life UK life and pensions sales rose 35pc to almost £1bn during the first nine months of 2006.

CHANGES in state pensions could signal the death of all defined benefit plans by 2012, consultants warn.

BT has disputed claims it is undervaluing its pension scheme liabilities by £3bn.

THE PENSION Protection Fund could enter the bulk annuity buyout market within the next 10 years, chairman Lawrence Churchill has claimed.

ALMOST half of all the UK's defined benefit pensions could close within five years, a new study claims.

US - The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ruled yesterday that the city of San Diego had defrauded investors by not disclosing its massive pension and health care deficits.