Legislation

UK - Pension arrangements for members of the armed forces are to be overhauled to bring them in line with the "modern world", the government says.

UK - Schemes and employers have attacked a "heartless" government proposal to impose a 35% tax on spouses' pensions.

UK - Ministers have admitted proposals to amend fund distribution during scheme wind-ups are unworkable and are drafting in lawyers to help resolve problems.

UK - Corporate credit ratings could be used to gauge financial health when calculating the annual levy on schemes for the pension protection fund (PPF), pensions minister Malcolm Wicks said.

UK - Schemes will be subjected to a funding standard that could be harsher than FRS17 when the Pensions Protection Fund is introduced, government sources claim.

UK - Shadow UK pensions minister David Willetts has outlined a sketchy proposal to restore the link between earnings and state pensions.

UK - Unum Provident has been ordered to pay £66,000 plus legal expenses after poor communication with scheme trustees left a widow without her full pension entitlement.

UK - Government proposals over the distribution of funds during scheme wind-up have been branded "pathetic" by the City's most senior pensions lawyers.

UK - Industry experts remain supportive of the government's intention to set up a protection fund, new research shows.

UK/US - Grave lessons must be learned from the US Pensions Benefit Guaranty Corporation to ensure that the UK's protection fund does not fail, consultants warn.