Europe

UK - Benign markets and the shift from RPI to CPI reduced defined benefit deficits from £144bn ($234bn) to £64bn over the past year, Pension Capital Strategies research shows.

EUROPE - The European Court of Justice ruling on sex discrimination to could lead to a worsening of pension income in retirement.

UK - Proposals to allow early access to pensions will create a "bureaucratic nightmare" and should be shelved, industry groups say.

NETHERLANDS/UK - Philips Pensioenfonds has appointed Aviva Investors to manage its global multi-manager unlisted real estate portfolio in Europe, the US and Asia Pacific.

UK - Lloyds Banking Group made a net curtailment gain of £910m ($1.5bn) last year following changes to its UK defined benefit pension schemes, figures show.

EUROPE/UK - Government rules on the amount of income men and women can drawdown from pensions could become redundant on Tuesday - just days after revised tables were published.

UK - Merseyside Pension Fund is seeking new passive equity and bond managers to boost its responsible investing policy.

UK - Former National Association of Pension Funds chairman Robin Ellison has joined the executive advisory board of investment data firm SRL Global.

UK - Trustees risk being fleeced by underperforming investment managers after it was revealed management fees jumped 11% last year on the back of improved market conditions, a consultant says.

UK - The Conservative chairman of the Local Government Association has attacked coalition plans to hike council worker pension contributions warning the move would lead to mass opt-outs.