Europe

UK - "Young" final salary schemes could face a tenfold increase in Pension Protection Fund costs when risk-based levies are introduced, trustees warn.

UK - Mercer Human Resource Consulting is considering plans to launch a bundled defined contribution service in the UK, industry sources say.

UK - The government has admitted that the Financial Assistance Scheme is "technically defective" and is struggling to meet its April 2005 deadline.

UK - Government changes to controversial moral hazard clauses in the Pensions Bill will "not go far enough" to allay industry concerns, lawyers warn.

FRANCE - State Street Global Advisors has appointed Frédéric Dodard head of balanced portfolio management for Europe.

UK - Investments in asset-backed securities would boost returns and help schemes to match their liabilities, Standard Life Investments claims.

UK - Ninety-five percent of IFAs believe the pension credit is an ‘obstacle' which prevents retirement savings, new research shows.

UK - The City of Edinburgh is tendering for an actuary for its £1.9bn Lothian Pension Fund to conduct three triennial actuarial valuations in 2005 and 2008.

UK - Investec Asset Management has appointed Jerry Toner portfolio manager for global fixed income.

UK - Pensions will be a huge vote winner in the next general election, research by a leading trade union shows.