Europe

EUROPE - Southern Europe, Austria and the Czech Republic face the greatest threat from population ageing and far-reaching reforms are required across the region to avert the threat of economic decline, according to new research.

UK - Raising the mandatory retirement age to 70 would be a "win-win" situation for workers and employers alike, Simplification Report author Alan Pickering claims.

UK - Workers at TransBus International - part of beleaguered bus manufacturer Mayflower - are waiting to learn if their pensions will get government aid.

NORWAY - The Norwegian Oil Industry Association (OLF) said that it would impose a lockout on the two trade unions, leading to a complete shut down of oil and gas production from the Norwegian continental shelf.

UK - Boots Pension Scheme chairman John Watson has written to members to assure them their benefits are safe following changes in its investment strategy.

UK - Pensions minister Malcolm Wicks will be among the speakers at the Northern Pensions Resource Group's Pensions in a New World conference next month.

UK - The National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF) has set up a new working group to identify practical ways of abolishing the current state retirement system.

UK - The Treasury has dismissed reports it has raised the lifetime savings limit from £1.5m to £2.5m for all pension products as "completely wrong".

UK - Concerns over the increase in administration complaints will be highlighted by the pension advisory service OPAS in its annual report next week.

UK - Regular training for trustees may become a requirement under the new regulator, a leading pension provider claims.