Europe

UK - The Association of Consulting Actuaries is urging the government to consolidate all state pensions into one flat-rate benefit and link it to earnings.

UK - Liberty Ermitage Group's European Absolute Fund has achieved an annual return of 12.3% since its launch in 1999.

EUROPE - New research into the European private equity market suggests that institutional investors could be bailing out of the sector.

UK - Schemes should abandon beauty of parades when choosing consultants and lawyers because they are ineffective and give a false impression, a leading trustee claims.

UK - Standard Life has been chosen as an additional group AVC provider for police officers serving in England, Scotland and Wales.

UK - CB Hillier Parker Investors has purchased a retail warehouse terrace in Eastbourne on behalf of an unnamed pension fund client.

UK - High street retail giant WHSmith is boosting contributions to its defined benefit scheme in a bid to plug a £131m FRS17 deficit.

UK - A new company which provides bespoke portfolio measurement for institutional clients has been launched.

UK - SBJ Benefit Consultants is holding a training seminar on the forthcoming pensions green paper on January 23 at Chelsea Football Club.

UK - F&C Management has invested £7m in the £435 Ashtenne Industrial Fund, a limited partnership that invests in industrial property.