Europe

UK - William M Mercer is running a series of Hot Topics pension courses throughout 2002, aimed at finance and HR directors, trustees and pension managers.

NORWAY - Den norske Bank (DnB) and Dresdner RCM Global Investors have teamed up in a bid to promote ethical investing among DnB's fund roster.

UK - Reinsurance broker Bradstock Group is set to close its final salary scheme to new members after announcing a £14m pension fund deficit.

UK - The £850m Dorset County Council Pension Scheme will consider searching for an external equities manager in May, looking to place up to £40m with an active fund manager.

UK - The move to close defined benefit provision is gaining momentum, according to Towers Perrin.

PORTUGAL - Portugal has less then a week to go before the European Commission follows up the early warning given to the country over its failure to meet budgetary targets, including the reform of its pension system.

UK - Consultant William M Mercer has attacked the Government's proposals for annuity reform, accusing Labour of "merely fiddling while Rome burns".

UK - The UK pension system does not live up to what should be expected of such a system in a wealthy democracy, according to left-wing think tank The Industrial Society in its response to the Private Pensions Simplification Review.

UK - The £400m pension fund of vacuum cleaner manufacturer Hoover may look for specialist bond managers following an ALS to be presented in April.

UK - New FSA proposals on polarisation may unintentionally muddy the waters and leave pensioners worse off, argues retirement specialist The Annuity Bureau.