Europe

UK - Insurers are urging the government to rethink its proposals on money-back annuities which caps the option at age 75.

UK - The Royal Mail is seeking permission to increase the price of stamps in a bid to stem a £330m pension deficit.

UK - Eva Greenspan has been taken on as a solicitor in the property department of Bircham Dyson Bell.

UK - GMO is launching a major bid to double assets under management in the UK this year.

UK - Prolonged consultation on changes to the minimum funding requirement could trigger a surge in final salary scheme closures, senior figures have warned.

UK - Trade unions and employers are divided over the government's pension proposals.

UK - Firefighters' pensions will eat up 25% of the fire service budget by 2007 unless the scheme is radically overhauled, the government has been warned.

UK - The £495m Oxfordshire County Council Pension Fund has put its entire funds up for tender after dropping its two balanced managers.

UK - Mercer Human Resource Consulting has made Gordon Clark a European partner in its London office.

UK - Workers are in denial over pensions and are generally unconcerned over how they will meet their retirement needs, Mercer Human Resource Consulting claims.