Europe

UK - Simplification Report author Alan Pickering has dismissed the government's Pensions Bill as a counterproductive piece of legislation which will make pensions less viable.

UK - The fall in final salary provision makes the need for retirement saving greater than ever, a senior consultant claims.

UK - Young workers are suffering from stress, relationship problems and loss of friends because they have limited access to flexible working practices, a new study shows.

UK - Hedge funds outperformed equities and bonds in April, according to global indices provider MSCI.

UK - Pension funds returned an average of 1.5% in the first quarter of 2004, latest figures from the WM Company reveal.

UK - Employers who rely solely on technology to promote their benefit schemes will suffer very low take-up rates, John Scott & Partners warns.

UK - Workers at TransBus International - part of beleaguered bus manufacturer Mayflower - will learn how much the pension scheme will receive as a creditor by tomorrow.

UK - The outlook for the global economy is bright despite oil price rises, a market expert claims.

UK - A dedicated emerging market hedge fund is being launched by Optima Fund Management next month.

UK - Employers are dumping newly-established defined contribution plans in favour of stakeholder and group personal pensions, industry leaders warn.