UK - Auto strategies for defined contribution (DC) pension plans are becoming increasingly popular with UK pension funds, consultant Watson Wyatt has claimed.

CANADA - The final regulations for temporary funding relief of federally regulated defined benefit plans was today released by Jim Flaherty, minister of finance.

ROYAL Mail's plan to allow postal workers a stake in the company in exchange for cash has been criticised by MPs.

IRELAND - The shift to defined contribution (DC) pension schemes could be turned on its head, according to experts in Ireland who predicted a move by companies back to a defined benefit-type set up.

DEFINED contribution schemes could face legal action from members who lose savings in default funds, trustees fear.

MORGAN Stanley Investment Manage-ment has bought a 20pc stake in New York-based hedge fund Avenue Capital Group.

THE GOVERNMENT'S rejection of further accusations over its accountability for lost pensions has been dubbed "shameful" by campaigners.

THE Pensions Regulator has threatened to issue its first financial support direction following talks with GNER's beleaguered parent Sea Containers.

EMPLOYERS must look at introducing innovative alternatives for defined contribution schemes if they want staff to value their pensions, a consultant claims.

THE PENSION Protection Fund will clear its £343m deficit within five years, chief executive Partha Dasgupta says.