Europe

UK/GERMANY- iShares, the exchange traded funds range managed by Barclays Global Investors, has unveiled the first ETF benchmarked to the S&P500 Index, available in Germany.

UK - The NAPF has refuted claims that it has backed away from its support of the Higgs Review on the role of non-executive directors.

UK - Nearly a quarter of local authority actuarial mandates will go out to tender following Watson Wyatt's shock decision to quit the sector.

UK - British Coal Pension Schemes have pledged backing for mandates developed as part of a competition to find a way of delivering long-term outperformance.

UK - HighamNobbs Consulting is rebranding to reflect its growth in the pensions wind-up and actuarial services markets.

UK - Trade unions should be wary about criticising firms which switch to money purchase schemes, NAPF chairman Peter Thompson says.

UK - Pension funds are urging the government to scrap the lifetime pensions limit outlined in the Inland Revenue's tax simplification proposals.

UK - Employers have attacked the parliamentary work and pensions select committee for releasing a report that denies the pensions system is in "crisis".

UK - Friends Provident has re-leased two updated pensions CD-Roms for IFAs and their corporate clients.

UK - Active membership of private occupational pension schemes has plummeted to 5.7m - the lowest figure since 1963 - latest figures from the Government Actuary's Department show.