Europe

UK - Defined contribution schemes pose a potential sex discrimination headache for companies, a leading lawyer claims.

UK - Gullwing Asset Management has launched a seven-year property fund aimed at SIPPs and SSASs.

UK - Lawyers are urging the government to "make up its mind" over whether it is going to give the pensions ombudsman power to process group claims.

UK - Unions are ignoring the reality of falling equity markets when they contest final salary scheme closures, bosses claim.

UK - Gartmore Investment Management is urging fund managers to improve the transparency of transaction costs or face possible government legislation

EUROPE - Around 5% of Europe's top 500 companies have severely underfunded pension liabilities, research by rating agency Standard & Poor's shows.

UK/EU - Pensions rights for same-sex partners have moved a step closer following a Court of Appeal ruling, gay campaigners believe. But lawyers claim the decision - which involves a tenancy agreement - will not apply to pensions.

UK - Shipping group Maersk has promised to give Sea-Land Service Pension Plan members any minimum funding requirement surplus that would otherwise be used for wind-up costs.

UK - The NAPF is planning to expand its voting services in a move that will heighten its competition with PIRC and Manifest.

UK - Public service union Unison wants bigger pensions for ambulance workers to reflect their shorter working lives. Unison says 70% of ambulance staff retire on ill-health grounds before the age of 55. It believes their reduced working lives should...