Investment

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.

EUROPE - EU rules on the establishment of cross border pensions must be simplified, Aon Hewitt believes.

Paul McGlone explains how attitudes to the financial monitoring of pensions are changing.

Dave Lowe of Zurich looks at how new technology can be a useful tool in improving communication with scheme members

Panellists analyse the preparations that are being made by National Employment Savings Trust (NEST), such as its commitment to ethical investment.

The alarm over funding position volatility since July could have been avoided if schemes measured liabilities based on inflation rather than gilt yields, an actuary believes.

Andrew Short talks to Robert Hart, benefits consultant at Bluefin about how the Institute of Directors' DC scheme was awarded the DC Quality Mark.