Investment

In welcome news for many defined benefit pension schemes, the 12-month Consumer Prices Index (CPI) slipped back to zero in August, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The Budget changes have brought major changes to how people access their pension pots. Helen Morrissey examines research that finds major implications for pre-retirement investments too.

Heineken's Scottish and Newcastle Pension Plan has completed a £2.4bn longevity swap with Friends Life.

National Grid UK Pension Scheme has handed Legal and General Investment Management (LGIM) a mandate to manage £13bn of assets after selling its in-house manager to the firm.

Lawyers have warned that defined benefit (DB) schemes face unnecessary extra VAT charges unless HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) makes it less complicated for them to reclaim tax.

GMB will ballot utility workers for strike action on the 21 September in a dispute with Northumbrian Water over proposals to axe the final salary scheme.

The Pensions Infrastructure Platform (PiP) has confirmed its involvement in the Thames Tideway Tunnel project after securing over £370m of investment commitments from UK pension schemes.

The CFA Society of the UK has announced four new fellows in recognition of their service to both the professional body and the wider investment profession.

The increasing cost of servicing its £1.2bn pension shortfall helped push pre-tax profits at John Lewis down over a quarter in the first half of the year.

Age Partnership has launched a service to gather member information for schemes exploring a medically underwritten bulk annuity deal.