Investment

Higher annuity rates and volatile market conditions have dented retirement prospects for UK workers over the last few months, suggests research from Aon Hewitt.

More than half of UK workers are totally unaware of sweeping pension reform coming into play next year, latest research shows.

Most large employers are still not properly prepared to meet the regulatory requirements of auto-enrolment, Standard Life research reveals.

JAPAN - Japan's public pension fund scraped a small return on its investments in the second quarter after its assets fell by $33bn, its latest report shows.

Pension schemes are looking to increase allocations to private equity but demand greater transparency, reporting and risk management from providers, a report suggests.

NETHERLANDS - Dutch asset manager Robeco's heavy emphasis on growing its institutional business has paid off with nearly half of the €4.9bn ($7bn) inflows seen in the first half of the year coming from institutional mandates, CEO Roderick Munsters said....

NEW ZEALAND - The New Zealand superannuation fund is defending against Green Party claims saying it invests in companies manufacturing cluster bombs.

Commentary suggesting pension funds should avoid certain investments based on members' ethical consideration goes too far and contradicts case law, a lawyer warns.

DENMARK - Danish pension provider ATP recorded a profit of DKK8.1bn ($1.6bn) in the first six months of 2011 driven by high returns in commodities and inflation-related assets.

Phoenix group has closed its defined benefit pension schemes to future accrual to limit future costs and volatility relating to the funds' deficit.