THE Vivendi 2008 Pensioners' Scheme is set to buyout its member benefits through a deal with MetLife Assurance.

US - The performance of institutional investors' portfolios for the 2008 calendar year was down approximately 25%, research by Wilshire Analytics shows.

UK - The Vivendi 2008 Pensioners' Scheme is set to buyout its pensioner benefits through a deal with MetLife Assurance.

EUROPE - A study of European retirement systems shows a wide range of pension provisions throughout the continent, says Allianz Global Investors.

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JLT Benefit Solutions has appointed James Lewis as a senior sales consultant working across its administration services.

IRELAND - The Irish government has announced plans to introduce a new contribution rate for civil servant pension schemes, which could save it €1.4bn (US$1.8bn) this year.

EUROPE - European investors embraced passive management and de-risking strategies in 2008 following stock market downturn and a lack of faith in alternative asset classes.

UK - Auto-enrolment into workplace pensions will benefit 95% of the working population and 70% can expect to get back twice what they put in, the government has said.

DENMARK - The DKK355bn (US$61.3bn) ATP pension fund lost DKK17.8bn over 2008, due mainly to declining equity values, the fund has said.