Europe

UK - Academic speculation that binge drinking and obesity would have a net positive effect on scheme costs has been dismissed by consultants.

UK - A set of options for companies which might want to amend scheme rules to reflect any tax changes were outlined by Aon Consulting.

UK - The £10bn British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme has completed a major overhaul of its investment manager structure.

UK - Academic Lady Maureen Merrison has been appointed pensions director at the Universities Superannuation Scheme.

UK - An employment tribunal decision which could have given greater pension rights to workers over the age of retirement has been overturned.

UK - Independent trustees can expect lenient treatment from the ombudsman over transfer blunders made in scheme wind-up, a lawyer claims.

LUXEMBOURG - Northern Trust has appointed Ian Baillie as managing director of its planned fund services business in Luxembourg.

UK - The Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority has published an updated version of its guide on the minimum funding requirement.

UK - The Pensions Protection Fund will be an "empty bucket" for underfunded schemes being wound up, City University's Cass Business School claims.

UK - Unions have won a stay of execution for the future of final salary pension provision at engineering giant Smiths Group.