HM Revenue & Customs has made a U-turn on its requirement for occupational pension scheme trustees to register to comply with money laundering regulations.

The credit crunch has created unprecedented opportunities for the insured buyout market and businesses looking to clear pension liabilities from balance sheets, Aon Consulting says.

Standard Life boosts dividend as profits soar; >£41bn pension deficit points to final chapter for final salary schemes; Friends battered as wealth buyer fails to bite

Society is "sleepwalking" into sacrificing defined benefit pension provision, Investment Management Association members warn.

NETHERLANDS - Dutch pension funds ABP and Pensioenfonds Zorg en Welzijn (PFZW) have invested in waste management group SAV group, through the €500m (US$773m) NIBC European Infrastructure Fund.

US - The Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 fell -0.86% in July extending its year-to-date losses to -11.69%, despite a 4.48% rally since hitting its year-to-date low on 15 July.

AUSTRALIA - Superannuation fund call centres are "the weaker link" in super funds' overall marketing strategy, research by retirement services administrator CitiStreet has revealed.

US - The US Treasury has ruled companies cannot transfer their pension plans to an unrelated firm under current law, but has put forward a framework of principles to guide the development of legislation to allow such transactions.

UK - Strike action by professional staff of British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) has been called off after last minute negotiations reached a settlement, although there are no changes to the contentious pension reforms.

AUSTRALIA - The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has outlined its key areas of concern for the coming months, in light of the current global economic downturn.