Europe

GREECE - The Greek Socialist government have announced a spending package, including pension reform, eight months ahead of parliamentary elections and despite tight finances, writes Agence France Presse.

UK - Law firm Wragge & Co is holding a series of four training seminars in Birmingham next month.

UK - Defined contribution scheme members who kept faith with equity funds will have their patience rewarded, consultants claim.

UK - A massive realignment of actuarial work is taking shape within the local authority sector following Watson Wyatt's departure from the market.

UK - Money purchase schemes are urging the NAPF to ensure its newly-created DC forum does not become merely a "talking shop".

UK - Trustees are realising the "brutal truth" that occupational money purchase schemes are not simple to run, independent firms told IPN's sister publication, Professional Pensions.

UK - Less than 30 employees have joined British Airways' DC scheme since the closure of the final salary New Airways Pension Scheme.

UK - Henderson Global Investors has reshuffled its UK institutional business team.

UK - Scheme managers are urging companies to choose unbundled packages when they set up defined contribution plans - even though costs may be higher.

EUROPE - Rising unemployment, the strong euro and the prospect of further interest rate cuts could all weigh on investor confidence in Europe in 2003, despite recent positive signs.