INCLUDING: AUSTRALIA - UK - NAPF supports Solvency II position; AMP appoints head of credit markets; UK - Workers retire early

UK - The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has vowed to continue to its seven-year battle to win equal pension and sick pay rights for thousands of retained firefighters, following an Employment Tribunal hearing last week.

Credit crunch will hit real economy, says CBI chief; Investor claims HSBC misled shareholders over bonus plan

Pension schemes should be forced to tell retiring members about the benefits of open market option annuities, Living Time says.

Growth in the number of managers offering "off-the-shelf" liability-driven investment solutions could reduce scheme closures, KPMG claims.

Freshfields drop claim against ex-partner; Heat builds on Standard board; Telegraph pensions dispute escalates; Banks feel the pinch as covered bond trading is suspended

UK - Express Newspapers and Telegraph Media Group have accused each other of being "irresponsible" as the dispute over the West Ferry Printers' Pension Scheme deficit continues.

Pension Protection Fund levy increases have been over-cautious and are an attempt to build a "buffer fund", delegates were told.

PricewaterhouseCoopers is urging employers to take more control of scheme funding agreements to avoid being caught out by trustee demands and missing regulatory deadlines.

UK - Personal Accounts may not increase pension saving to the extent the government hopes as employers opt out of current schemes in response to the reforms, according to a report from the Pensions Policy Institute (PPI).