Legislation

UK - Cabinet opposition threatens to scupper tax simplification changes which many industry experts see as a lifeline for beleaguered schemes.

UK - Experts fear it will take a string of large corporate bankruptcies to force the government to tighten laws on security for pension scheme members.

UK - Trustees have no obligation to backdate benefit improvements to all scheme members, the pensions ombudsman has confirmed.

UK - Schemes face fighting hundreds of class action claims in court following the government's decision to scrap plans to extend the ombudsman's jurisdiction, lawyers warn.

UK - Employers should look to reduce contributions to final salary plans as a cheaper alternative to winding up schemes, a leading lawyer claims.

UK/IRAQ - Insurance companies have assured schemes that death benefits will be paid on reservists killed after being called up for a war against Iraq.

UK - Council staff pension contributions are set to rise for the first time since 1937 in a bid to meet mounting costs, it can be revealed.

UK/IRAQ - Insurance companies have assured schemes that death benefits will be paid on reservists killed after being called up for a war against Iraq.

UK/EU - Many key proposals in the UK's Green Paper will be annulled by Europe's upcoming Pensions Directive, senior UK lawyers claim.

UK/EU - Many key proposals in the UK's Green Paper will be annulled by Europe's upcoming Pensions Directive, senior UK lawyers claim.