Europe

UK - The National Employment Savings Trust has reduced the upfront charge on contributions going into the scheme from 2% to 1.8%.

UK - Increased life expectancy published by the Continuous Mortality Investigation will add an extra £5bn ($7.8bn) onto UK pensions and spark a wave of longevity trades, Aon Hewitt says.

UK/EUROPE - A new tax transparent fund vehicle to be launched ahead of the implementation of UCITS IV regulations should attract more than £20bn ($31bn) of additional multinational pension fund investments, Deloitte says.

UK/US - Administrators for Nortel Networks and Lehman Brothers are challenging The Pensions Regulator in the High Court over the watchdog's ability to impose a financial support direction against them.

UK - The combined pension deficit of FTSE100 firms could jump by £25bn ($39.7bn) in one month due to unhedged risk exposure, a report suggests.

UK - Nikko Asset Management has appointed former First State Investments chief executive Charlie Metcalfe as President of its European, Middle East and US operations.

UK/Switzerland - GLG Partners has become the latest large hedge fund to see staff leave its UK offices for Switzerland due to high personal tax rates.

UK - The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries president has urged members to change the pace of industry development and define an actuary's role in business.

CANADA/NETHERLANDS - The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and APG have teamed up to buy a 50% in a Westfield Stratford City in London.

EUROPE - Pension funds should be preparing their operational arrangements for a potential fracture in the eurozone, Schroders chief investment officer Alan Brown warns.