AON CONSULTING is overhauling its UK defined benefit pension plans in a bid to slash costs and improve management.

GLOBAL - Allianz Group's asset management division registered net inflows of €9.7bn in the third quarter 2006.

GLOBAL - UK real estate allocations are at a cyclical low with institutional investors far underweight their desired allocation to property in multi-asset class portfolios, according to Fidelity International.

THE PENSIONS Trust has announced the appointment of Simon Stead as pensions administration manager and Paul Milton as account manager.

SCHEMES could be damaged for decades to come if age discrimination proposals are implemented in their current form, a top lawyer warns.

US - The California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS) could consider a move back into tobacco industry investments after it emerged the fund had lost out on nearly US$1bn in revenues from the move out of the space.

Ministers refuse broader pension compensation package; Pilot anger fuelled over BA pension reform; Rate rise a certainty; Queen takes stake in commercial property fund

UK - George Osborne, the Conservative shadow chancellor has launched a fresh attack on Gordon Brown's pensions policy.

NORWAY - The head of the NOK1.5trn (€180bn) Norwegian Government Pension Fund (Global) has cautioned against excessive investment risk, after proposals were made to increase the fund's equity allocation to 60% of the portfolio.

POPULAR non-listed property vehicles underperformed direct property investments during 2005, new figures reveal.