Europe

UK- The number of pension funds seeking advice due to financially 'stressed' or 'distressed' sponsors is growing, a partner at specialist risk management consultancy Kroll has stated.

UK - The record funding surplus of the 200 largest company pension schemes cannot prevent a bleak future, according to Aon Consulting.

UK - The Pensions Regulator has seconded Hewitt Associates consultant Russell Agius, who will focus on delivering the policy framework for the regulator's defined benefit (DB) funding work programme.

UK - Pension scheme trustees feel their workloads have increased significantly and many claim they don't have sufficient time to complete their duties, a survey by Aon has revealed.

UK - Local authority pension schemes are being unfairly funded by council tax, according to the TaxPayers' Alliance.

UK - Goldman Sachs' Rothesay Life has agreed to buy out the £700m (US$1389m) Rank Group Pension Scheme, in the biggest deal of its kind to date.

UK - A tool to help trustees and scheme sponsors calculate the impact of the Pensions Regulator's proposed new mortality assumptions has been developed by Hymans Robertson.

UK - The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced 12,000 jobs will be eliminated in the next three years and 200 offices closed as part of on-going efficiency measures, having recently announced an 11% rise in productivity.

NORWAY - The Ministry of Finance has appointed Partners Group as real estate consultants in preparation for the national pension fund's possible investment in the asset class.

UK - Leeds University is looking for an investment manager to oversee an £80m (158.7m) UK and overseas equity mandate.