Imminent Local Government Pension Scheme cost-sharing regulations must give greater clarity on the interaction of the model fund and its real counterparts, Eversheds says.

CONTRACTUALLY agreed pension terms should be protected, Buck Consultants says.

UK - The funding position of RBS Group's pension scheme fell by £2.3bn during 2008, company results reveal.

Including: US - Raytheon contributes $660m to pension scheme; NETHERLANDS - Investment funds fall 5% in fourth quarter of 2008; US - PBGC joins IFPTE union

A group of pension funds has told pharmaceutical firms they need more information about the industry's emerging market strategies

IRELAND - The Irish parliament has passed the controversial pensions levy bill with officials expecting the proposal to go into law March 1.

UK / US - Swiss Re is shutting down its variable annuities and pensions business in a bid to scale back retirement-related activities.

US- The Federal Bureau of Investigation has arrested four investment managers in three separate cases that allege the managers defrauded investors out of a combined US$680m.

US - General Re Corporation - a reinsurance unit of billionaire Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway - has agreed to pay US$72m to settle investors' claims.

SWITZERLAND - UBS group chief executive Marcel Rohner has resigned and has been replaced by Oswald Grübel.