Europe

UK - The Australian government has tabled measures in its 2004 budget to further incentivise voluntary superannuation savings.

FRANCE - New style voluntary pension plans in France - the Plan d'epargne de retraite populaire (PERP) has received the legislative seal of approval.

UK - The Wesleyan Staff Pension Scheme has a £6.1m deficit, the firm's end of year figures reveal.

UK - Surrey County Council Pension Fund has dropped Baring Asset Management and Deutsche Asset Management as fund managers.

UK - A two-year inquiry into the UK's investment system has slammed the "biggest institutional investors" for failing in their responsibilities as owners.

UK - Mellon Financial Corporation's European operation has been added to the Balanced Scorecard Hall of Fame.

UK - More water companies may have to use profits to plug pension deficits rather than improve services, an industry consumer group warns.

UK - The charge cap on stakeholder pensions is set to rise from 1% to 1.5%.

FINLAND - Despite efforts to encourage Finns to stay at work longer, most of them continue to retire at the age of 59 years, new research shows.

UK - The £3bn Unilever UK Pensions Scheme is looking to improve the flexibility of its benefit package to help members avoid the £1.5m pensions cap.